8 Highest-Paying Jobs in Texas

The highest-paying jobs in business are those at the top of the corporate pyramid, such as chief executive officer. If you want a six-figure job with a business degree, your best chance is to look for an executive position. Getting a job as a vice president or chief officer means gaining the education and work experience to help qualify you for the top position in your field. Explore eight positions to strive for and discover the background you’ll likely need as you embark on your career path. 

8 highest-paying business jobs

Many of the highest-paying business jobs lie in the C-suite, encompassing positions like CEO, CSO, and CFO.  No single standard way exists to arrange an executive suite, so titles and responsibilities vary slightly among corporations. Some of the highest-paying executive-level positions include: 

• Chief executive officer 

• Chief sales officer 

• Vice president of customer service

• Chief strategy officer 

• Vice president of human resources

• Vice president of finance

• Vice president of corporate communications

• Vice president of sales and marketing

Only some companies will have these positions listed on their organizational chart. Still, they represent a selection of some of the highest-paying business jobs on average in the United States. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 6 percent annual job growth for top executives from 2023 through 2033 [1]. Explore the salaries and requirements for each position to compare to your goals and objectives.

1. Chief executive officer

Average annual salary: $$171,321 [2]

Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree, but you may also need an MBA or doctorate.

Although every company organizes its executive-level positions differently, a chief executive officer (CEO) is usually the top position in the hierarchy. In many cases, a CEO answers to a board of directors. The primary responsibility of a CEO is to manage a company's overall operations. Depending on the company's size, that could mean overseeing other leadership positions, managing departments, acting as a media representative, meeting with investors, and setting the standard for company culture and practices. 

Read more: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)—Roles and Responsibilities

How to become a chief executive officer

The requirements for reaching the top spot in a corporation or business vary depending on factors like the size of the company, its industry, and the position's competitiveness. A CEO typically must have at least a bachelor’s degree, although many will have MBAs or doctorate degrees in business. 

Becoming a CEO usually means having five or more years of experience in business. Executive-level leadership certifications or specializations can also help you advance to CEO. 

2. Chief sales officer

Average annual salary: $204,188 [3]

Requirements: Strong background in sales and experience managing a team; sometimes, you will also need a formal degree.

A chief sales officer leads the sales department, which may include managing one or more teams of people, training, handling customer relations, and finding ways to meet and exceed sales targets. You might answer to the CEO or a board of directors. Chief sales directors are usually not directly involved in sales but strategize and analyze sales efforts to maximize the company’s revenue potential. 

How to become a chief sales officer

Chief sales officers usually have at least a bachelor’s degree. However, some have a master’s degree, and some companies might not require their CSO to have a degree, provided they have enough relevant experience. To get a job as a chief sales officer, you’ll need a strong background in sales and experience managing a team. 

Read more: How Do I Become a Sales Operations Manager?

3. Vice president of customer service 

Average annual salary: $150,927 [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree plus experience, although you may also need an MBA or doctorate.

The vice president of customer service in a corporation or business oversees all customer service operations, from managing customer experience expectations to hiring and training customer service staff. The VP of customer service may also analyze customer feedback and suggest business processes to serve customers better. 

How to become vice president of customer service

VPs of customer service typically have at least a bachelor’s degree, although some companies will prefer to hire a candidate with an MBA or doctorate. At a larger company, you may also need several years of experience in a managerial role and certification. 

4. Chief strategy officer

Average annual salary: $193,783 [5]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, although you may also need an MBA or doctorate.

A chief strategy officer (CSO) develops company strategies and helps each department understand its role. In fast-paced business markets, you’ll help corporations remain nimble and flexible to meet the needs of their customers and shareholders. You will identify benchmarks and goals for long-term growth and interpret these into short-term measurable tasks. Chief strategy officers are experienced executives with a strong strategy focus who have led significant initiatives and held various operational roles.

How to become a chief strategy officer

In general, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree and, in many instances, a master’s degree or higher to become a chief strategy officer. You will likely also need experience in management or strategy planning. On average, chief strategy officers need at least three years of experience in a prior role managing teams. 

5. Vice president of human resources 

Average annual salary: $207,366 [6]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; some positions may require a master’s or doctorate.

The vice president of human resources leads the human resource department and is a link between that department and the leadership positions in all departments of the company or organization. As VP of human resources, you’d maintain an environment where employees can do their work safely and appropriately.

How to become vice president of human resources

Getting into this VP position means gaining experience in human resources and a degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or Human Resource Management. You’ll often need a master’s or doctorate to become the department's vice president. 

Read more: What Is Human Resource Management? Definition + Career Guide

6. Vice president of finance

Average annual salary: $172,789 [7]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree at a minimum plus experience; sometimes requires a more advanced degree or certified public accountant (CPA) certification.

The vice president of finance oversees an organization’s money—specifically, the big picture of the company finances, like strategy, long-term goals, budget, and analyzing data. You might report to a CEO, CFO, or president in this role. 

How to become vice president of finance

To become the vice president of finance, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field. You may also need to hold a more advanced degree or to have CPA certification. Although you’ll find more than one path to getting a job as a vice president of finance, you will most likely need at least five years of experience in a managerial finance role. 

7. Vice president of corporate communications

Average annual salary: $163,948 [8]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree and experience; commonly requires a master’s degree.

The vice president of corporate communications is in charge of public relations and media strategy. They oversee or directly execute the line of communication between the corporation and the rest of the world. Executives in this position may analyze market data and communications campaigns to inform company messaging in the future. 

How to become vice president of corporate communications

Most vice presidents of corporate communications have a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, or a related field. In some cases, you’ll need a master’s degree. While the exact qualifications will vary depending on the company, expect to need about 10 years of experience in corporate communications before qualifying for the job as VP. 

8. Vice president of sales and marketing

Average annual salary: $139,593 [9]

Requirements: Master’s degree and extensive experience in a senior-level marketing or sales role

The vice president of sales and marketing oversees the marketing department and manages sales. This position is similar to other high-paying positions in business, such as chief sales officer. Sometimes, the vice president of sales and marketing answers to the chief sales officer. You will supervise marketing efforts in this role, including managing teams and developing strategy. 

How to become vice president of sales and marketing

To get a job as the VP of sales and marketing, you’ll often need a master’s degree and 10 years of experience in a senior-level marketing or sales role. A VP of sales and marketing requires a broad knowledge of sales and marketing functions. 

Prepare for the highest-paying business jobs on Coursera.

You can typically find the highest-paying business jobs at the executive level, with positions like CEO, CSO, and vice presidential roles offering substantial salaries. Depending on your desired role, you will need varying levels of advanced education, specialized skills, and experience.

The first step to a career in business is to earn a bachelor’s degree, like a Bachelor of Science in General Business, from the University of North Texas on Coursera. If you’re looking for certifications or an advanced degree to help you stand out from the candidate pool, consider a Salesforce Sales Development Representative Professional Certificate or a Master of Business Administration (iMBA) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, also available on Coursera.