Business Operations Support
Quick Facts: Business Operations Support Training
Where it's offered
Business Operations Support programs are offered at 155 schools across 29 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $26,180/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 17 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Business Operations Support — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 155 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 47/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
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.
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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.
Closely-related paths include Human Resources, Accounting, and Finance, which share overlapping job markets and training components.
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.
Find Business Operations Support Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Business Operations Support is offered at 155 schools across 29 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Business Operations Support Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Business Operations Support programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 155 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
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 and ROI.