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Business Operations Support

155 schools compared · Average earnings $26,180/yr

What Business Operations Support Graduates Do

Your career will likely begin at the heart of a company’s daily functions. You might start as a customer service representative, using a headset and CRM software to resolve client issues, or as an office clerk, managing team schedules, processing invoices in QuickBooks, and ensuring the office runs smoothly. These roles are the engine room of any business.

With a few years of experience, you can advance to supervising a team, earning their trust and guiding their work. Alternatively, you could become an executive assistant, the indispensable partner to a senior leader, or specialize as a production planner, coordinating manufacturing workflows. While many support roles are stable, the path toward becoming a Business Operations Specialist is growing, offering the highest earning potential as you analyze and improve company-wide processes.

It’s true that software and AI are automating routine tasks like basic data entry and scheduling. This shift, however, increases the value of your distinctly human skills. Your ability to de-escalate a frustrated client, navigate complex office politics, or solve a sudden operational crisis is what companies will rely on. You’ll be the adaptable problem-solver who manages the exceptions and challenges that software can’t handle.

Schools Offering

155

Avg Grad Earnings

$26,180/yr

Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score

47/100

AI-Proof Rating

Exposed

36% of tasks AI-shielded

Apprenticeship Paths

View pathways ↓

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 17 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Business Operations Support. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship	Training Hours	Type	Salary RangeSalary	Growth
Administative Assistant (Police) RAPIDS 2094HY	2340-3500 hrs	Hybrid	$38K – $46,290 – $56K	-1.6%
Dispatcher, Service (Alternate Title: Transportation Management Coordinator) RAPIDS 681	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$40K – $48,880 – $62K	-0.9%
Energy Auditor And Analyst RAPIDS 2005HY	2000-3350 hrs	Hybrid	$61K – $81,270 – $110K	3.0%
Energy Specialist RAPIDS 2005R1-HY	3900-6000 hrs	Hybrid	$61K – $81,270 – $110K	3.0%
Energy Specialist RAPIDS 2005R-HY	2600-4000 hrs	Hybrid	$61K – $81,270 – $110K	3.0%
General Insurance Associate RAPIDS 2040HY	2169-3476 hrs	Hybrid	$42K – $48,450 – $60K	-3.7%
General Insurance Associate RAPIDS 2040CB	CB hrs	Competency	$42K – $48,450 – $60K	-3.7%
Health Unit Coordinator RAPIDS 1084	2000 hrs ~1.0 yrs	Time	$35K – $43,630 – $53K	-6.7%
Information Management (Word Processing) (Military Only) RAPIDS 1072CB	Competency	Competency	$40K – $47,850 – $56K	-36.1%
Material Coordinator (Alt Titles: Automated Logistical /Unit Supply Specialists ) RAPIDS 856	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$47K – $57,770 – $71K	-1.8%
Operations Assistant (Energy) RAPIDS 2049CB	Competency	Competency	$61K – $81,270 – $110K	3.0%
Personnel Systems Management (Military Only) (Alt Title: Human Resource Spec) RAPIDS 1078CB	Competency	Competency	$42K – $49,440 – $59K	-7.1%
Photocomposing-Perforat-Ma RAPIDS 285	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$35K – $39,850 – $47K	-25.9%
Script Supervisor RAPIDS 445	2500 hrs ~1.2 yrs	Time	$38K – $46,290 – $56K	-1.6%
Supercargo (Water Trans) RAPIDS 366	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$47K – $57,770 – $71K	-1.8%
Telegraphic-Typewriter Oper RAPIDS 951	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$40K – $47,850 – $56K	-36.1%
Transportation Clerk (Alternate Title: Transportation Management Coordinator) RAPIDS 655	3000 hrs ~1.5 yrs	Time	$43K – $49,900 – $62K	8.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Best Schools for Business Operations Support

Top 20 of 155 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

#	School	Score	EarningsEarn	ROI
1	Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MI	79 73–82	$46,821/yr	84.6x
2	Houston Community College Houston, TX	79 73–82	$37,482/yr	171.8x
3	Houston Community College Houston, TX	74 68–78	$35,300/yr	104.3x
4	Dallas College Dallas, TX	73 67–76	$30,228/yr	124.4x
5	Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI	70 65–74	$34,203/yr	69.5x
6	Trinity Valley Community College Athens, TX	70 64–75	$34,123/yr	80.4x
7	Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga, TN	70 64–73	$32,603/yr	70.7x
8	Pima Community College Tucson, AZ	70 64–74	$27,705/yr	115.9x
9	Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GA	68 63–72	$34,998/yr	38.7x
10	Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI	65 60–68	$36,178/yr	43.8x
11	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville Shelbyville, TN	64 58–68	$41,217/yr	—
12	Spokane Community College Spokane, WA	64 58–67	$26,402/yr	64.1x
13	Alaska Vocational Technical Center Seward, AK	62 56–66	$37,409/yr	—
14	Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VA	62 57–65	$35,687/yr	28.0x
15	Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN	62 57–66	$26,926/yr	60.6x
16	West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah, KY	62 57–66	$26,607/yr	56.1x
17	Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY	62 57–66	$26,532/yr	55.4x
18	Greenville Technical College Greenville, SC	61 57–64	$35,672/yr	31.9x
19	Virginia Peninsula Community College Hampton, VA	61 57–64	$34,177/yr	34.0x
20	Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GA	61 57–65	$29,578/yr	48.5x
21	Central Coast College Salinas, CA	60 54–64	$34,301/yr	—
22	Ogden-Weber Technical College Ogden, UT	60 54–64	$34,157/yr	—
23	Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MS	60 55–63	$29,857/yr	36.8x
24	Rasmussen University-Minnesota St. Cloud, MN	59 55–62	$32,345/yr	30.2x
25	Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES Liverpool, NY	59 52–62	$31,400/yr	—
26	Rasmussen University-North Dakota Fargo, ND	58 53–61	$32,345/yr	25.7x
27	Rasmussen University-Wisconsin Green Bay, WI	58 54–61	$32,345/yr	27.4x
28	Spokane Community College Spokane, WA	58 54–62	$28,743/yr	34.4x
29	Northwood Technical College Rice Lake, WI	58 51–63	$27,494/yr	44.8x
30	Charter College Anchorage, AK	57 51–60	$33,009/yr	21.0x
31	Rasmussen University-Florida Ocala, FL	57 52–60	$32,345/yr	21.5x
32	Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford, IL	57 53–61	$32,345/yr	24.1x
33	Rasmussen University-Kansas Topeka, KS	57 51–60	$32,345/yr	21.2x
34	Monroe Community College Rochester, NY	57 53–61	$31,038/yr	25.5x
35	Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI	57 52–62	$28,779/yr	36.7x
36	Northeast State Community College Blountville, TN	57 52–60	$28,385/yr	33.5x
37	Tri-County Technical College Pendleton, SC	57 52–60	$28,319/yr	29.4x
38	Interactive College of Technology-Chamblee Chamblee, GA	56 50–59	$33,883/yr	14.0x
39	Interactive College of Technology-Morrow Morrow, GA	56 50–59	$33,883/yr	14.1x
40	Interactive College of Technology-Newport Newport, KY	56 50–59	$33,883/yr	14.4x
41	Interactive College of Technology-Gainesville Gainesville, GA	56 50–59	$33,883/yr	14.1x
42	Interactive College of Technology-Newport Newport, KY	56 51–59	$28,797/yr	24.1x
43	San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia Visalia, CA	56 50–60	$28,691/yr	—
44	San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA	56 50–60	$28,691/yr	—
45	San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno Fresno, CA	56 50–60	$28,691/yr	—
46	San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario Ontario, CA	56 50–60	$28,691/yr	—
47	San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto Salida, CA	56 50–60	$28,691/yr	—
48	San Joaquin Valley College-Hesperia Hesperia, CA	56 50–60	$28,691/yr	—
49	San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula Temecula, CA	56 50–60	$28,691/yr	—
50	San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster Lancaster, CA	56 50–60	$28,691/yr	—
51	San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage Rancho Mirage, CA	56 50–60	$28,691/yr	—
52	San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria Santa Maria, CA	56 50–60	$28,691/yr	—
53	Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN	56 51–60	$27,965/yr	33.3x
54	Milan Institute-Visalia Visalia, CA	56 50–59	$27,868/yr	—
55	San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia Visalia, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
56	San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
57	San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno Fresno, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
58	San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario Ontario, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
59	San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto Salida, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
60	San Joaquin Valley College-Hesperia Hesperia, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
61	San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula Temecula, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
62	San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster Lancaster, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
63	San Joaquin Valley College-Delano Delano, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
64	San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage Rancho Mirage, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
65	San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria Santa Maria, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
66	San Joaquin Valley College-Porterville Porterville, CA	56 50–59	$27,731/yr	—
67	Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GA	56 48–61	$14,464/yr	68.0x
68	Fox College Tinley Park, IL	55 49–58	$34,923/yr	9.9x
69	Interactive College of Technology-Chamblee Chamblee, GA	55 50–59	$28,797/yr	23.3x
70	Interactive College of Technology-Morrow Morrow, GA	55 51–59	$28,797/yr	23.5x
71	Interactive College of Technology-Gainesville Gainesville, GA	55 51–59	$28,797/yr	23.5x
72	Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI	55 51–59	$27,467/yr	27.7x
73	Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID	55 51–59	$27,137/yr	28.1x
74	Glendale Career College Glendale, CA	55 49–58	$27,134/yr	—
75	Nevada Career Institute Las Vegas, NV	55 49–58	$27,134/yr	—
76	Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SC	55 50–59	$27,024/yr	33.5x
77	UEI College-Gardena Gardena, CA	54 48–58	$26,109/yr	—
78	UEI College-Riverside Riverside, CA	54 48–58	$26,109/yr	—
79	United Education Institute-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV	54 48–58	$26,109/yr	—
80	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown Morristown, TN	54 48–57	$25,814/yr	—
81	Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, AL	54 48–58	$25,648/yr	33.0x
82	Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg, SC	54 48–58	$25,548/yr	32.6x
83	Stellar Career College Modesto, CA	54 47–57	$25,145/yr	—
84	UEI College-Huntington Park Huntington Park, CA	54 47–57	$25,094/yr	—
85	UEI College-Ontario Ontario, CA	54 47–57	$25,094/yr	—
86	UEI College-Reseda Reseda, CA	54 47–57	$25,094/yr	—
87	United Education Institute-Morrow Morrow, GA	54 47–57	$25,094/yr	—
88	UEI College-Chula Vista Chula Vista, CA	54 47–57	$25,094/yr	—
89	UEI College-West Covina West Covina, CA	54 47–57	$25,094/yr	—
90	UEI College-Oceanside Oceanside, CA	54 47–57	$25,094/yr	—
91	UEI College-Garden Grove Garden Grove, CA	54 47–57	$25,094/yr	—
92	UEI College-Stockton Stockton, CA	54 47–57	$25,094/yr	—
93	Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR	53 48–57	$29,476/yr	18.4x
94	George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan, AL	53 49–57	$26,151/yr	28.4x
95	Bevill State Community College Jasper, AL	53 48–56	$25,182/yr	29.6x
96	Riverside County Office of Education-School of Career Education Riverside, CA	52 46–56	$23,475/yr	—
97	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN	52 46–56	$23,230/yr	—
98	CET-San Jose San Jose, CA	52 46–55	$23,009/yr	—
99	CET-Salinas Salinas, CA	52 46–55	$23,009/yr	—
100	CET-Coachella Coachella, CA	52 46–55	$23,009/yr	—
101	CET-Santa Maria Santa Maria, CA	52 46–55	$23,009/yr	—
102	Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, AL	52 46–56	$22,360/yr	32.9x
103	American Institute-West Hartford West Hartford, CT	52 46–55	$22,347/yr	—
104	American Institute-Clifton CLIFTON, NJ	52 46–55	$22,347/yr	—
105	American Institute-Toms River Toms River, NJ	52 46–55	$22,347/yr	—
106	American Institute-Somerset Somerset, NJ	52 46–55	$22,347/yr	—
107	Bryant & Stratton College-Albany Albany, NY	51 45–54	$30,125/yr	8.6x
108	Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North Liverpool, NY	51 45–54	$30,125/yr	8.4x
109	Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo Buffalo, NY	51 45–54	$30,125/yr	8.5x
110	Bryant & Stratton College-Greece Rochester, NY	51 45–54	$30,125/yr	8.2x
111	Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VA	51 45–54	$30,125/yr	8.8x
112	Bryant & Stratton College-Online Orchard Park, NY	51 45–55	$30,125/yr	10.4x
113	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McKenzie McKenzie, TN	51 45–55	$21,776/yr	—
114	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville Knoxville, TN	51 45–54	$21,295/yr	—
115	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson Jackson, TN	51 45–54	$21,227/yr	—
116	Metropolitan Learning Institute Rego Park, NY	51 45–54	$21,014/yr	—
117	Florida Career College-Miami Miami, FL	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
118	Florida Career College-Pembroke Pines Pembroke Pines, FL	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
119	Florida Career College-West Palm Beach West Palm Beach, FL	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
120	Florida Career College-Hialeah Hialeah, FL	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
121	Florida Career College-Lauderdale Lakes Lauderdale Lakes, FL	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
122	Florida Career College-Tampa Tampa, FL	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
123	Florida Career College-Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
124	Florida Career College-Boynton Beach Boynton Beach, FL	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
125	Florida Career College-Margate Margate, FL	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
126	Florida Career College-Orlando Orlando, FL	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
127	Florida Career College-Houston Houston, TX	51 45–54	$20,774/yr	—
128	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville Crossville, TN	50 44–53	$18,800/yr	—
129	Southern Careers Institute-Austin Austin, TX	50 44–53	$18,214/yr	—
130	Southern Careers Institute-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX	50 44–53	$18,214/yr	—
131	Southern Careers Institute-Pharr Pharr, TX	50 44–53	$18,214/yr	—
132	Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio San Antonio, TX	50 44–53	$18,214/yr	—
133	Southern Careers Institute-Brownsville Brownsville, TX	50 44–53	$18,214/yr	—
134	Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen Harlingen, TX	50 44–53	$18,214/yr	—
135	Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio San Antonio, TX	50 44–53	$18,214/yr	—
136	South Texas College McAllen, TX	50 46–54	$16,475/yr	32.5x
137	Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH	50 46–54	$12,405/yr	35.1x
138	Southside Virginia Community College Alberta, VA	49 42–54	$18,788/yr	30.6x
139	UEI College-Fresno Fresno, CA	49 43–53	$17,210/yr	—
140	UEI College-Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA	49 43–53	$17,210/yr	—
141	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens Athens, TN	49 43–52	$16,498/yr	—
142	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump Crump, TN	49 43–52	$15,795/yr	—
143	Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia, AL	48 43–51	$20,252/yr	19.3x
144	D'Mart Institute Barranquitas, PR	48 42–51	$12,909/yr	—
145	Diversified Vocational College Los Angeles, CA	48 42–51	$12,153/yr	—
146	Ohio Business College-Sheffield Sheffield Village, OH	47 41–50	$22,925/yr	9.2x
147	Ohio Business College-Sandusky Sandusky, OH	47 41–50	$22,925/yr	9.2x
148	Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VA	47 41–50	$22,570/yr	11.2x
149	Bryant & Stratton College-Online Orchard Park, NY	47 42–51	$22,570/yr	13.2x
150	Bryant & Stratton College-Albany Albany, NY	46 41–50	$22,570/yr	10.9x
151	Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North Liverpool, NY	46 41–50	$22,570/yr	10.7x
152	Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo Buffalo, NY	46 41–50	$22,570/yr	10.8x
153	Bryant & Stratton College-Greece Rochester, NY	46 41–50	$22,570/yr	10.5x
154	Long Island Business Institute Flushing, NY	46 39–50	$21,542/yr	12.7x
155	Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus San Juan, PR	40 34–44	$6,012/yr	3.3x

Highest Earning Business Operations Support Programs

Schools where Business Operations Support graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School	1-Year Earnings	Score
Washtenaw Community College	$46,821/yr	79
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville	$41,217/yr	64
Houston Community College	$37,482/yr	79
Alaska Vocational Technical Center	$37,409/yr	62
Chippewa Valley Technical College	$36,178/yr	65
Tidewater Community College	$35,687/yr	62
Greenville Technical College	$35,672/yr	61
Houston Community College	$35,300/yr	74
Georgia Northwestern Technical College	$34,998/yr	68
Fox College	$34,923/yr	55

Best ROI for Business Operations Support

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Business Operations Support.

School	ROI Multiple	Earnings	Score
Houston Community College	171.8x	$37,482/yr	79
Dallas College	124.4x	$30,228/yr	73
Pima Community College	115.9x	$27,705/yr	70
Houston Community College	104.3x	$35,300/yr	74
Washtenaw Community College	84.6x	$46,821/yr	79
Trinity Valley Community College	80.4x	$34,123/yr	70
Chattanooga State Community College	70.7x	$32,603/yr	70
Gateway Technical College	69.5x	$34,203/yr	70
Central Georgia Technical College	68.0x	$14,464/yr	56
Spokane Community College	64.1x	$26,402/yr	64

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Business Operations Support degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the typical salary after a Business Operations Support program?

The median first-year salary across 155 Business Operations Support programs is $26,180. School selection matters — the gap between the lowest ($6,012) and highest ($46,821) earning programs is significant.

How AI-proof is a career in Business Operations Support?

Business Operations Support is rated "Exposed" for AI resilience — 36% of job tasks involve hands-on work shielded from AI automation. That means a moderate share of career tasks in this field rely on skills AI cannot replicate.

Where should I study Business Operations Support?

Our data ranks Washtenaw Community College first among 155 Business Operations Support programs. Its score of 79/100 reflects strong outcomes across earnings ($46,821/yr), return on investment, and career durability.

Is Business Operations Support worth it?

On average, Business Operations Support graduates earn 34.6x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a strong return on investment.

Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →