Top Career Options for Commerce Students in India [2025]
Updated on Aug 06, 2025 | 11 min read | 753.94K+ views
Share:
For working professionals
For fresh graduates
More
Updated on Aug 06, 2025 | 11 min read | 753.94K+ views
Share:
Table of Contents
Did You Know? India is expected to become the world’s fastest-growing major economy, growing at a rate of 6.8% in FY26. This massive economic growth is expected to give rise to emerging job roles. |
Commerce is quite a popular subject choice for students due to its vast applicability in business and management roles. You can find advanced to high-paying roles in consulting and senior management. A vast range of career opportunities awaits you in this field.
The top career options for commerce students are management consulting, investment banking, financial analysis and planning, human resource management, tax consultancy, digital marketing, and more. But what exactly are those roles?
In this blog, we will look at the 30 best career options in commerce, so that you can know what job profiles are available and accordingly choose the right career paths. Read along to find leading career options in commerce as well as trending roles in 2025.
Want to secure a high-paying commerce career? Explore upGrad’s range of Management Courses and MBA Courses and choose a course that matches your needs!
Popular upGrad Programs
According to India’s Ministry of Education, over 14% of students choose commerce as their stream after Class 10. Commerce is one of the most flexible and rewarding in India and abroad due to the booming career opportunities in finance, business, law, and digital sectors,
Whether you are interested in Maths or not, but commerce stream still offer lot of career paths that are highly paid and future proof.
Looking forward to studying the top commerce courses to better your chances for a lucrative career? Check out our top courses from leading institutions:
Want to explore the highest-paying jobs in commerce? Watch this insightful video by upGrad and discover top career opportunities!
Watch Now:
If you are coming from a commerce background or are interested in working in this broader field, it is important to know what kind of jobs are available here and how much you can earn in these jobs.
Here’s a table with the top career options in commerce with annual salary:
Career Options |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
Financial Planner |
4.4 lakhs |
Bank PO (Probationary Officer) |
4.8 lakhs |
Market Research Analyst |
5 lakhs |
5 lakhs |
|
Tax Consultant |
6 lakhs |
Actuarial Analyst |
7.8 lakhs |
8 lakhs |
|
Economist |
16.2 lakhs |
20 lakhs |
|
23.6 lakhs |
Source: Glassdoor & Ambition Box
Many professional and degree courses can offer you high paying jobs in commerce field in india, especially if you have right skills and proper certifications. Some of the top fields in which you can gain success are finance, investment banking, international business, and technology.
Here are the top courses you can pursue for best career options in commerce:
Course / Qualification | Annual Salary for Freshers | Annual Salary for Experienced | Top Job Roles |
Chartered Accountant (CA) | INR 6–8 LPA | INR 15-20LPA | CA, Financial Auditor, Tax Consultant |
Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) | INR 7–12 LPA | INR 26-50LPA | Investment Banker, Portfolio Manager |
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) | INR 2–5 LPA | INR 9-12LPA | Business Analyst, HR Executive, Marketing Manager |
MBA | INR 3-7LPA | INR 10-40LPA | Manager, Consultant, Analyst |
Law (BA LLB) | INR 3–6 LPA | INR 15-30LPA | Corporate Lawyer, Legal Advisor |
While all career paths are open to all genders any student can learn what they prefer according to their future goals. However there are some courses which are often more popular among female students due to personal interests, perceived flexibility, or better work-life balance.
Here are some of the Popular Courses for Girls After 12th Commerce:
Course |
Career Options |
B.Com (General/Hons.) | Accountant, Tax Consultant |
Law (B.Com + LLB) | Legal Associate, Corporate Lawyer |
Fashion Designing | Fashion Designer, Brand Consultant |
Digital Marketing | Social Media Manager, SEO Executive |
Hotel Management | Event Manager, Guest Relations Manager |
Your chosen subject combination in your 12th class commerce stream, whether its with Maths or without decides the future of your career. There are lot of career options in commerce stream that are available to both maths and non maths students.
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Watch Now:
Students from the commerce with Maths background can pursue their career in finance, economics, analytics, and other number related fields.
Top courses and careers with Maths:
Course | Top Job Role | Avg Annual Salary in India |
B.Com (Hons) in Finance & Accounting | Financial Analyst | INR 6.4L |
B.A. in Economics | Economist | INR 16.1L |
B.Sc. in Statistics | Data Scientist | INR 15.5L |
BBA in Business Analytics | Business Intelligence Analyst | INR 9.3L |
Chartered Accountancy (CA) | Chartered Accountant | INR 11.4L |
Sourced by: Ambition Box
Students from the commerce without maths stream can explore careers in various professional and creative fields. These fields mainly focuses on management, communication, law, and organizational skills.
Some of the Popular non-maths courses are:
After pursuing the courses which have you seen above, you have the access to several rewarding careers.
Here are the top career options for without maths students in different fields:
Course | Top Job Role | Avg Annual Salary |
BA LLB (Law) | Corporate Lawyer | INR 10L |
Company Secretary (CS) | Company Secretary | INR 10.1L |
BBA in Marketing | Digital Marketer | INR 5.4L |
B.Des (Design) | Fashion Designer | INR 4.5L |
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) | Commerce Teacher | INR 3.2L |
Sourced By: Ambition Box
Commerce students can explore lot of career opportunities with good entry level salaries, especially in top field like marketing, accounting, finance and banking.
Here are the top jobs in commerce with average entry-level salaries:
Job Role | Average Entry-Level Salary (per annum) |
Junior Accountant | INR 2.8L |
Financial Analyst | INR 5.2L |
Marketing Executive | INR 2.7L |
Banking Associate | INR 3.4L |
Tax Consultant | INR 6L |
Sourced By: Indeed and Ambitionbox
If you are looking to pursue some professional courses after your commerce stream then you have various types of choices to pick the best course. These courses allow you to get high paying jobs across different industries.
Due to the various types of courses available for the commerce students, it is advisable to choose the best course which is aligned to your personal interest and future goals. These courses can help you develop specialized skills and create better career opportunities for your future.
Here are some top professional courses you can explore:
Top Courses | Duration |
Chartered Accountancy (CA) | 5 years |
Company Secretary (CS) | 3 - 5 years |
Cost and Management Accounting (CMA) | 3 years |
Certified Management Accountant (US CMA) | 3 - 5 years |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) | 3 - 5 years |
Some globally recognized professional courses after commerce include:
Getting certified with the best course can help you to enhance your resume and it makes you a better candidate in the job market. These courses provide practical in demand skills that are highly valued by the employers.
Here are a few great options:
Also Read: Top Career-Oriented Courses for Commerce Students
Choosing the right course is the first step in your commerce career journey. You have options to choose from, both academic and professional courses, depending on which career path you are inclined towards.
So, let’s start by comparing two of the most popular undergraduate courses B.Com and BBA for better understanding.
A B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) course usually focuses on subjects like accounting, taxation, and finance. Whereas in the BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) course, students are more concentrated on subjects like business management, marketing, and operations..
Here’s a comparison for B.Com vs BBA in more detailed way:
Aspect |
B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) |
BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) |
Focus Area | Accounting, Finance, Taxation | Business Management, Marketing, Operations |
Ideal For | Careers in Finance, Banking, CA, CS, CMA | Future MBA students, Business/Management roles |
Course Approach | Theoretical and analytical | Practical and managerial |
Career Path | Accountant, Financial Analyst, CA, CS | Business Manager, Marketing Executive, Entrepreneur |
Further Studies | M.Com, CA, CS, CMA | MBA, PGDM, International Business |
If you're confused between CA, CS, and CMA courses and finding difficulties to choose the best course for yourself, the first thing you need to understand is how each course aligns with different career goals in commerce.
Here's a quick overview to help you decide:
Choosing the right specialization in your B.Com degree according to your future goals can boost your career and growth opportunities.
Here are a few top-paying B.Com specializations:
B.Com Specialization | Top Job Role | Avg. Annual Salary (INR) |
Accounting and Finance | Financial Analyst / Auditor | INR 6.4LPA |
Banking and Insurance | Bank Officer / Risk Analyst | INR 8 LPA |
Economics | Economic Analyst / Policy Advisor | INR 4.1 LPA |
Investment Management | Portfolio Manager / Wealth Advisor | INR 12.9 LPA |
International Business | Export-Import Manager | INR 7.4 LPA |
Sourced By: Ambition Box
After completing your B.Com degree, you can take the direct entry to the CA program, which allows you to skip the basic level.
Here’s how to become a CA after B.Com in easy steps:
Students from the commerce field have a wide range of job opportunities in public sector. There are so many governmental roles from financial institutions to regulatory bodies that are aligned with commerce fields such as accounting, economics, and business management.
Some of the most demanded government jobs for commerce students are:
Yes, commerce students are eligible for many job roles which are specifically aligned with their education background, such as:
Students who are from commerce backgrounds aiming to start their career with a government job need to give some governmental exams which are conducted at the central or state level. These exams generally assess your knowledge in areas like general awareness, reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and commerce-related subjects.
Here’s a table highlighting the top government exams for commerce students:
Exam Name | Top Job Roles |
UPSC Civil Services | IAS, IRS, IES (Policy-making & administrative roles) |
SSC CGL | Income Tax Officer, Auditor, Customs Inspector |
RBI Grade B | Central Banker, Finance Policy Analyst |
IBPS/SBI PO | Bank Officer, Branch Manager |
UGC NET (Commerce) | Assistant Professor, Commerce Researcher |
As India has now become the 4th largest economy in the world, there are various emerging opportunities, especially in the commerce field. With developing industries and more technology-driven roles, new-age career options like digital marketing, fintech, and data analytics are increasing among commerce graduates.
Data analytics and fintech are one of the most highly paying and demanding career options in commerce. Commerce background professionals helps companies or businesses to understand and analyze data in more better and efficient way.
Due to increasing demand in both the fields, there are huge job opportunities open for the people with high salaries and growth opportunities.
Below are some of the top Fintech & Data Analytics Jobs for Commerce Students:
Job Role |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
Data Analyst | INR 6.8L |
Business Analyst | INR 10.2L |
Fintech Product Manager | INR 25.6L |
Risk Analyst | INR 8L |
Digital marketing is a great career option for commerce students with creative and business knowledge. Digital marketing is constantly increasing in India which results in creating strong demand for employees and long-term career growth.
Top Digital Marketing Jobs for Commerce Students:
Job Role |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
SEO Specialist | INR 4.9L |
Social Media Manager | INR 5.6L |
Content Marketer | INR 7.6L |
PPC Analyst | INR 5.1L |
Digital Marketing Manager | INR 12L |
Sourced By: Ambition Box
Banking and finance careers are the most aimed jobs by commerce graduates. Jobs in banking and finance offer long term job stability, career growth and excellent salaries for the employees in both government and private sectors.
Some of the top jobs in banking and finance sectors are mentioned in the table:
Job Role | Avg Annual Salary (INR) |
Bank Probationary Officer | INR 8.5L |
Credit Analyst | INR 9.1L |
Investment Banker | INR 21.1L |
Financial Analyst | INR 6.4L |
Relationship Manager | INR 5.3L |
Sourced By: Ambition Box
To create a successful career in the finance field after B.Com, students should focus on gaining certifications, doing internships to get real time experience of work, and learn industry knowledge.
Here are some essential steps to prepare for finance job roles after B.Com:
After completing a commerce degree, many students decide to give different competitive exams or pursue further education to enhance their career opportunities. There are various job options available for students who are aiming for a government job, prestigious certification, or a postgraduate degree that are aligned with your passion and future goals.
Commerce students can give various exams to secure job roles in government, banking, finance, and insurance.
Here are some popular competitive exams for commerce students:
Exam Category | Popular Exams |
Government Job Exams | SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, RRB NTPC, State PSCs |
Bank Exams | IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI PO, RBI Assistant |
Insurance & Finance Exams | LIC AAO, NIACL AO, SEBI Grade A, NABARD Grade A |
Chartered/Professional Exams | CA, CS, CMA, CFA, CFP |
To develop specialized skills and improve in career opportunities, students can pursue higher education after completing their graduation.
Some of the best PG options include:
Commerce students can appear for the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Subjects like economics or accountancy can be chosen as optional in the Mains exam.
Some of the top civil services jobs for commerce students are mentioned below:
To keep up with the growing demands of the market, you must stand out with the skills that recruiters look for in commerce graduates. Whether you want to stick to traditionally commerce-oriented roles or explore trending careers, you need to make sure that you have the skills and knowledge that can help you succeed in this field.
At upGrad, we aim to help you figure out what additional skills and courses can help you land high-paying jobs or climb towards senior roles in your line of work. We provide you with a range of learning opportunities that are suited to fit your learning style and needs.
Here are some of our top programs to boost your career in the commerce stream:
You can also check our range of Free Management Courses and explore beginner-friendly courses to get you started!
Want to get expert advice on choosing the right career in commerce? Book a free 1:1 counseling session with us, and our counselors will help you make the right decision.
Enhance your expertise with our Popular MBA Courses. Explore the programs below to find your ideal fit.
Subscribe to upGrad's Newsletter
Join thousands of learners who receive useful tips
Expand your knowledge with our Popular Articles Related to MBA. Browse the programs below to discover your ideal match.
The highway salary jobs in commerce are those of a Management Consultant, Investment Banker, Actuarial Analyst, Financial Analyst, as well as Tax Consultant. These are common career options in commerce and are often desired by many students due to their high-paying nature.
Some of the best commerce courses for getting a good salary are B.Com, CA, CFA, and BBA. And if you’re looking to get into higher education and better your chances of higher salary, you can go for courses like MBA which offers a series of specializations.
A fresher CA in India can earn a salary of around 6 to 8 lakhs. However, as they gain more experience and expertise in their role, they can earn more than 20 lakhs. CA salary also depends on the type of accounting firm or organization an employee works in
Various jobs can pay 1 lakh or more in the commerce field. However, these are usually upper management roles or ones that require intense study and pursuit, such as senior manager, investment banker, etc.
After salary, many commerce students opt for studying CA, which, although it requires years of dedicated study, offers great return value as the job of a CA is quite high-paying.
The highest package in commerce is in top-profile roles like investment banker, consultant, financial advisor, portfolio manager, or even economists who hold a doctorate and are in research roles.
You can get a job after 12th commerce but your options will be very limited to fresher and lesser paying roles. But if you pursue some additional courses or specailzation, you can better your earning potential.
Earning 1 lakh right after 12th commerce is a bit challenging as entry-level roles do not offer this salary. However, if you towards an entrepreneurial route and want to launch your own business, you could achieve this salary figure if your business succeeds.
Finding out which job is best for commerce students depends on their personal interests and inclinations. However, some popular roles are in finance, banking, sales, as well as management.
With B.Com you can get some good job options, given that you complement your undergraduate degree with useful internships and additional skills. However, if you want to ensure better-paying roles, you can go for master’s or MBA courses.
Yes, hotel management is one of the best career options in commerce. You can work in various areas such as hospitality, tourism, event planning, and customer service. With the growing travel and tourism industry, the demand for these professionals is very high.
64 articles published
Nitin Gurmukhani is a seasoned professional specializing in Digital Marketing Professional with experience in Performance Marketing (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Linkedin Ads, Youtube Ads), SEO (Search E...
Get Free Consultation
By submitting, I accept the T&C and
Privacy Policy
Top Resources