Is it Worth Pursuing a DBA Degree in 2025?

Businesses have had a successful year in 2024, marked by technological advancements and the rise of new startups in niche areas. We anticipate 2025 will see even more vigorous growth, with continued momentum in new business setups and venture funding. However, the success of any organization remains closely tied to its management. Any company must be built on strong pillars that will help the organization grow and expand its wings in all the different sectors. However, for this to happen, the ones who will handle the business should be qualified enough to handle the difficulties and achieve the company's objectives; therefore, having a DBA is worth the opportunity. The management department should be competent and skilled in their field so everything can go smoothly. They should be able to innovate great ideas, have the capabilities to manage problems, and be skilled enough to reach the business objective. 

We have discussed how important business management is for any organization, and they will focus on hiring people who have a proper and impressive knowledge of business with the required education. If you are rethinking getting a doctorate in business administration, then it will be worth it in every aspect. The degree will imply skills such as critical thinking, leadership, analysis, research, etc., that will eventually make you ready for the challenges you face in the field. We are going to look at the detailed analysis of this degree, from job opportunities to the skills you require, to enlighten you accurately. 

What is the Career Path after getting a DBA Degree?

If you are looking for career opportunities in business management, then doing a DBA is the best option. A doctorate in business administration is a high level of education that one can take when it comes to getting better job opportunities in the business sector. There are several jobs you can access after getting a DBA degree, and we have listed all of them below so you can make a choice: 

• Organizational Development Manager: The developmental needs and requirements of an organization depend on this manager. They evaluate what training and skills their different departments will require and provide them with the same that will match the company's objective for better development and performance. The organizational development manager works not only with different departments but with individuals as well. Their main focus remains on the progress of the business through the contributions of everyone. The estimated salary you can get for this job ranges around $145,620 per year. 

• Professor: If you have an interest in teaching, then after obtaining a DBA, you will be eligible to teach different subjects in a business school. Teaching is something where you become a self-learner, and it is fun for those who like to gain unique information each day. The research says that there will be a 12% growth in teacher's jobs between 2020 and 2030. The salary that the DBA professor will be offered ranges from $80,560 to $179,540 annually. 

• Government Program Manager: The data and responsibilities that the government handles are huge. There is no doubt that the government cannot afford to have some less skilled people handle the system, as it can impact the prominent procedures related to people. As a government program manager, you will be able to work with the Environmental Protection Agency to develop training programs and courses so there can be strategic planning. The approximate salary you can get for this role ranges from $110,460 to $143,598 per year. 

• Strategic Planner: They work to make improvements to the already established business. They innovate and evolve programs or strategies that will help the business grow and reach its greatest heights. They will introduce plans and projects that will be helpful in the future development of an organization. The research says that there will be a 14% growth in strategic planner jobs from 2020 to 2030. You can expect a salary range of $87,660 to $181,206 per year. 

• Market Research Analyst: They research the needs and requirements of consumers in product demand so they can help in the advertising, marketing, and sales efforts. They focus on marketplace trends and conduct their studies in the same field so they can provide strategy and data-driven decisions. The salary range for this role is around $106,596 per year, as it depends on the organization and responsibilities you handle. 

• Nonprofit Executive Directors: They are an essential part of a charitable organization. They look over the programs that will best represent or help to achieve the mission of the organization. Their responsibility may include fundraising, planning, and then providing advice to the directors based on their research. You will be able to get a salary of around $157,812 per year. 

• Director of Human Resources: The human resources department is itself an extremely important part of an organization, and when it comes to the HR director, they are the ones who handle this department, coordinate with employees, and construct policies according to the needs and requirements of the organization. They look after the betterment of everyone and complement programs that will be beneficial for everyone. Apart from this, they look over other responsibilities such as hiring, recruiting, and training the staff. The salary you can expect for this role ranges from $113,794 per year. 

• C-Suit Executive: They are the main and essential part of an organization; they oversee the projects, budgeting, and teams from different departments. With this research, they plan a strategy; they play crucial roles in implementing different policies and programs that will be beneficial for the business and help in its growth. The salary you can expect for this job is $262,940 per year. 

• Economists: They work on studying data, trends, and economic issues to develop a strategy to achieve more systematic goals through production and distribution. They have leadership skills that help them manage the production of group projects. They make predictions about stakeholders, business ideas, organizations, etc., and eventually help them make economic decisions. The salary you will be given for this role ranges around $198,230 per year. 

• Business Consultant: The main work of the business consultant includes keeping and collecting all the past information and then accordingly forming plans, programs, and strategies that will work toward the growth of the organization. You should have good communication skills and amazing data analysis skills, as they are the most valuable things for this post. The salary you can get for this role is about $143,202 per year. 

Are Online DBA Programs Helpful?

There was a time when online degrees held no importance, and they had no value in the field, organization, or when you were applying for a job. But as time has changed, the online sector has evolved and gained significance in business management; the degrees that you access online have acquired more recognition nowadays. However, the institute you choose definitely defines the quality of your education, as your online degree should be from a trusted organization, so it will be valued by people looking for opportunities in the same sector. There are some key factors about the course that we are going to discuss below to enlighten you more on this: 

• It is a three-year doctorate program that is designed for those who want to use their knowledge and skills in the business field. 
• Topics such as finance, management, business, marketing, and operations are being taught in this program. 
• It will be beneficial for individuals to get a degree in DBA from institutions that are accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. 
• The industries of management, business, teaching, research, or any senior-level positions in the private sector will be opened for you after you get a degree in the DBA. 

Can I Pursue an online DBA while I Work?

The technological world has convincingly transferred many organizations to online platforms. One of the main reasons for this is the growth that the technological area has perceived. Online platforms have been providing many facilities, and one of them is never-ending knowledge. You are no longer bound to just one activity or limited knowledge; you can pursue different courses while working. You can work on your personal growth and add value to your curriculum vitae. Therefore, it will be a perfect plan to pursue a degree in doctoral business administration while you are working. 

What Skills Does a DBA Require?

There are various skills that this course will require, or you may be able to attain such skills once you get the degree in Doctorate of Business Administration; however, these skills are listed below: 

• You should have problem-solving capabilities, as all the jobs after DBA require this skill. 
• You should have good communication skills. 
• You need to be fluent in data modeling. 
• The design of the data according to the database. 
• Make sure you pay attention to the small details and do not ignore them. 
• You should be able to do analytics, where you will do the computational analysis of the statistics. 

What should my next steps be?