Business Operations Support at Houston Community College

Houston, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Business Operations Support and Assistant Services

serving a student body of 37,970 in Houston, TX.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Houston Community College's Business Operations Support program earn $35,300/yr in their first year — 35% above the $26,180 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 100.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Operations Support career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $33,518 against $35,300/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Houston Community College ranks #3 among 155 Business Operations Support programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 22% earnings increase from $35,300 to $42,965 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Business Operations Support reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
74
Score
78
High End
Earnings $35,300/yr (35% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (33% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,381,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$445K
5.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
109.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 18
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,080
Out-of-state: $10,920
Median Debt at Graduation
$33,518
11.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,965
22% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business Operations Support graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Business operations specialists, all other $81,270 +3.0% 48%
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants $74,260 -1.6% 35%
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers $66,140 -0.3% 51%
Business operations specialists, all other
$81,270
+3.0% growth 48% AI-proof
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
$74,260
-1.6% growth 35% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
$66,140
-0.3% growth 51% AI-proof

View all 18 career paths with full salary data →

About Business Operations Support Careers

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.

Read the full Business Operations Support career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Operations Support Overview

Business Operations Support at Other Schools

Other Majors at Houston Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business Operations Support at Houston Community College?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business Operations Support nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI affect Business Operations Support careers?
With 67% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $369,317 in decade earnings vs $444,729 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Houston Community College one of the best schools for Business Operations Support?
The #3 ranking out of 155 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Business Operations Support through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Business Operations Support career paths, including Administative Assistant (Police). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Business Operations Support graduates?
With approximately 1,381,100 annual openings across mapped careers, Business Operations Support offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →