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Job outlook for business development interns in the United States
Business development internship job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected business development internship job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 150,300 new jobs for business development interns are projected over the next decade.
Business development internship salaries have increased 9% for business development interns in the last 5 years.
There are over 82,512 business development interns currently employed in the United States.
There are 147,302 active business development internship job openings in the US.
The average business development internship salary is $33,146.
Are business development internship jobs in demand?
Business Development Internship job and salary trends over time
Business Development Internship jobs over time
Business Development Internship job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82,512 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 29,081 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 28,590 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 84,935 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 80,197 | 0.02% |
Average business development internship salary over time
Business Development Internship salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,146 | $15.94 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $31,885 | $15.33 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $31,138 | $14.97 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | $30,908 | $14.86 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | $30,480 | $14.65 | +1.3% |
Business Development Internship jobs by state
Most common states for business development interns
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 515 | 74% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 384 | 62% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 698 | 52% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 428 | 49% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 356 | 48% |
| 6 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 280 | 48% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 321 | 42% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 376 | 39% |
| 9 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 725 | 38% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,984 | 36% |
| 11 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 485 | 36% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 353 | 34% |
| 13 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,019 | 32% |
| 14 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 926 | 31% |
| 15 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 921 | 30% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 871 | 30% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 322 | 30% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 596 | 29% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,639 | 28% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 463 | 27% |
Most common cities for business development interns
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Juneau | 3 | 9% | $39,535 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $30,411 |
| 3 | Dover | 3 | 8% | $31,679 |
| 4 | Frankfort | 2 | 7% | $30,690 |
| 5 | Glenview | 2 | 4% | $33,043 |
| 6 | Springfield | 3 | 3% | $32,408 |
| 7 | Little Rock | 3 | 2% | $30,023 |
| 8 | Topeka | 3 | 2% | $28,710 |
| 9 | Washington | 5 | 1% | $37,686 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $31,893 |
| 11 | Des Moines | 3 | 1% | $28,580 |
| 12 | Sacramento | 3 | 1% | $35,029 |
| 13 | Urban Honolulu | 3 | 1% | $34,421 |
| 14 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $34,137 |
| 15 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $28,611 |
| 16 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $39,736 |
| 17 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $28,326 |
| 18 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $32,886 |
Business Development Internship job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of business development internship experts
Purdue University Northwest
University of Central Oklahoma
Creighton University
Kansas State University
University of Indianapolis
The University of Akron
Westminster College
The Ohio State University
Mount Mercy University
Pat Obi Ph.D.
White Lodging Professor of Finance, Director, Executive MBA ProgramPurdue University Northwest
Finance Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Business Development Interns?
Pat Obi Ph.D.: Data analysis and presentation skills - spreadsheet, statistical software, presentation software.
What skills will help Business Development Interns earn the most?
Pat Obi Ph.D.: Data analytics, accounting, risk management, and business analytical skills, especially as they relate to financial data.
Stacia Wert-Gray Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing, ChairpersonUniversity of Central Oklahoma
Department of Marketing
What soft skills should all Business Development Interns possess?
Stacia Wert-Gray Ph.D.: Communication is important in any job but especially in marketing. These professionals must be able to communicate with customers/clients about product/service benefits and must be able to listen and represent the needs of customers/clients to their own company.
Natalie Gerhart Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Business Intelligence & AnalyticsCreighton University
Department of Business Intelligence & Analytics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Development Internship job market given the pandemic?
Natalie Gerhart Ph.D.: We have clearly seen a big shift in the job market due to COVID-19. Workers went home quickly, which had a ripple effect across industries. While some workers are enjoying remote life, many are anxious to get back to a more social workplace. Working from home has benefits for the worker of multi-tasking and comfort, but also has drawbacks with work/life balance, distractions, and home office expenses (i.e. broadband, space, etc.). There are also benefits for businesses such as reduced footprint for office space, but drawbacks such as increased security risk with decentralized workers. In my opinion, we won't see workspaces completely go away, but I anticipate more flexibility and hoteling options when the workforce settles.
For job seekers, these factors have a ripple effect. Currently, we are seeing a contraction in internships. For students, internships provide experience and a gateway to jobs. With less internships, the up-and-coming workforce will be less skilled as they enter the job market. Several factors are at play. Many businesses had to eliminate skilled workers last year. Many businesses froze hiring. Many businesses asked more of their remaining workforce. As a result, there are more skilled workers on the market, less jobs, and higher expectations. This puts new graduates in a difficult position.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Business Development Interns?
Natalie Gerhart Ph.D.: For BIA students, like all students, having the ability to be adaptable and grow your skills is important. Technology is rapidly changing and will continue to change over the course of most student's careers. It is important for students to demonstrate their adaptability through multiple tools, as well as their inquisitive nature that drives life-long learning. A machine learning course is a must as well as exposure to open source tools such as Python or R. Also we are seeing an uptick in demand for visualization skills (i.e. Tableau). While I haven't seen an overwhelming benefit of certifications for our students, there are certainly several available that never hurt. Google and AWS certifications are popular.
Currently, all business students need to have a basic understanding of analytics. That no longer means simply statistics, but how to use statistics to derive understanding and business insights. Further, all business students need to have an understanding of the strategic nature of technology in a business. Simply having technology is not enough.
Richard Doll
Associate ProfessorKansas State University
Department of Educational Leadership
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Development Internship job market given the pandemic?
Richard Doll: The stress from the pandemic has caused many veteran school leaders to retire. So, there will be lots of movement this year as principal/assistant superintendents move into the superintendency and teachers move into principalships.
What soft skills should all Business Development Interns possess?
Richard Doll: Graduates should possess the ability to communicate (orally and in written form), problem solve, critically think about complex challenges, work in teams, complete tasks on time and contribute to the overall mission of the organization.
How have salaries changed over time for Business Development Interns?
Richard Doll: Salaries in education have been stagnant over the past few years.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Development Internship job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Larry Belcher: The biggest post-pandemic trend we see involves the re-definition of a workspace. Many firms went to remote work via video conferencing and other technology and decided that they really did not need expensive office space, particularly in large cities and so they have employees working fully or partially remote on a permanent basis. In addition, for "at work" office space many firms have moved away from "offices" or even cubbies to common "plug-in" stations where workers find a spot and have access to power and internet so they can work. Add in conference/meeting space and you can still have face to face meetings if necessary but a much smaller, less expensive office footprint. It remains to be seen how this will work out long-term in terms of worker productivity. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence of "Zoom fatigue" and a desire for more human interaction among some workers so this is a trend worth watching. Another trend has been the speed of change. COVID showed us in many ways that our environments can be altered substantially almost overnight. Supply chain management is a great example. From a worker perspective, not being intimidated by this type of possibility will be a key going forward.
What technical skills for a Business Development Internship stand out to employers?
Dr. Larry Belcher: In terms of technical skills, in technical disciplines intimate knowledge of Excel is a must. In addition, with more movement to remote work, proficiency with video meeting and presentation software has become more of a necessity I would say that an ability to learn new technology rather quickly will help students advance faster. Technology changes rapidly, and as we have seen with the COVID pivot to remote work, one may need to master new software or hardware quickly. Also, with the proliferation of data and data analysis familiarity with data visualization and analysis tools like Tableau is becoming more valuable. This goes along with the usual necessary skills, such as written/verbal communication, presentation skills, and adaptability/flexibility. COVID has also shown us all that change can occur quickly and our ability to roll with it and adapt our work to the environment is a key skill. The ability to deal with ambiguity is also becoming more needed, as the environment a worker faces may not have all of its parameters nailed down. The ability to navigate those circumstances will help any employee advance more quickly. This also bleeds over into the ability to solve problems quickly. When things move fast, you need to both be adaptable and be able to think through problems quickly. Another thing we have seen is that employers don't want to have to train new hires on things they expect they should have learned in college. So practice and proficiency in software, speaking, writing and presentations are keys so that a new hire can adapt quickly and get into the workflow faster without "hand-holding."
How have salaries changed over time for Business Development Interns?
Dr. Larry Belcher: What we have seen in terms of salaries is something old, something new. The marketplace always pays more for technical skills like those in economics/accounting/finance (that's the old). However, the market in the last few years seemed to tighten and so firms have been willing to pay more for the talented students (that's the new). We had many of our top majors get very significant internships that led to offers after graduation at very good salaries. We also had firms literally begging us for candidates in technical fields because the pool was smaller. I don't know if this will continue, but for the last couple of years we have seen more competition for our graduates. Other old things still persist. The ability to set oneself apart from other candidates means a better shot at a high paying job. Significant experiences like internships or study abroad, technical skills (Excel, Bloomberg, data analysis), and the aforementioned ability to adapt and react mean more value added to an employer.
Julianne Jones
Associate Professor of PracticeThe University of Akron
George W. Davario School of Accountancy
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Business Development Interns?
Julianne Jones: Yes, I believe there will be an enduring impact on graduates. Most notably it will be the increase in flexible work schedules (i.e. work from anywhere programs). Employers and employees have now experienced remote working and how successful it can be. While remote working is not viable for every project, employers and employees are likely to work together to create flexible programs allowing employees to come to the office when needed and work from "anywhere" at other times.
What's a day at work look like for a Business Development Internship?
Julianne Jones: Although other fields may have suffered a significant decline, hiring in accounting has not changed when compared to the prior year. Employers are actively hiring accounting graduates. This is important for our students and graduates to know, especially when making their post-graduation plans. A typical day at work will vary by employer and industry. Accounting is an exceptional degree because it gives graduates a large variety of options for career choices. Accountants can align their career choices with their strengths and the values that are important to them. Due to this variety, it is difficult to pinpoint what "a day at work" will look like. However, in most circumstances, the graduate will be working with a team to analyze data and provide insights to help make business decisions. For example, the work could be anywhere from: determining if there is an income tax due, to reviewing financial statements to determine if investment in a new location is a good idea, or to verifying whether a company's financial statements is prepared in accordance with the appropriate accounting standards. With the abundance of options in this field, a graduate can find a path that fits with their vision and develop a fulfilling career.
What will help Business Development Interns increase their earning potential?
Julianne Jones: Data have consistently shown that people with either a CPA or a CMA license can earn substantially more. People should consider obtaining a Master's degree either in accounting or in taxation. This will not only help them pass the CPA or CMA exam, but also help them gain specialized knowledge and advance their careers. These advanced degrees can enhance people's expertise, the likelihood for faster promotions, the ability for lateral moves, and thus increase their long-term earnings. A specialized Master's degree has a greater link to students' success at the CPA exam and promotions than a second major or minor. Statistics consistently report that people in accounting with a specialized Master's degree earn substantially more over lifetime than those with a Bachelor's degree. Students at The University of Akron can enroll in our Accelerated Accounting degree programs, which allows them to graduate in 5 years with their Bachelor's and Master's degrees (BS/MSA or BS/MTax). This saves the students money and time and increases their long-term earning potential!
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Business Development Interns?
Michael Mamo Ph.D.: The pandemic of 2020 will change a number of things at the local, national, and at the global level and these will affect everyone in a certain way.
I do not think there will be a uniquie, disproportionate effect on new graduates other than those lingering impacts on the general population.
It will still take some time, I would think up to 5 years for things to go back to the pre-pandemic levels. Business, science and public health, politics, entertainment,
travel, education, and life in general were affected in profound ways and to varying degrees. In many cases the changes we have witnessed, such as the digitization of
life and the widening disparity between economic classes and racial groups will endure into the foreseable future. The pandemic has exposed huge holes in our public health infrastructure and I would expect substantial transformations in those areas.
I guess, any differential effect on graduates depends on where they fall on the spectrum.
What's a day at work look like for a Business Development Internship?
Michael Mamo Ph.D.: The pandemic has brought about fundamental changes at the workplace, including remote work and the rising importance of technological proficiency. These in turn demand flexibility and much of the workplace will demand more versatility and flexibility.
What will help Business Development Interns increase their earning potential?
Michael Mamo Ph.D.: Not sure how this relates to the previous themes but I do not believe the quest to increase one's earning potential is a noble goal. As humans we value (or should value) the benefits of enlightenment that come from education and life-long learning. Of course, enlightenment could translate to monetary gains. Enlightenment also comes with a greater sense of fulfilment in life and provides the person with traits of empathy, integrity, and other virtues such as justice and perseverance. Beyond improving ones earningn potential, education is a life-affirming process and that is what I would advise people in my field to aspire for.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Development Internship job market given the pandemic?
Adam Cahill: Thankfully what we are seeing in regard to trends in the job market are good ones. Interactions taking place between employers and candidates, jobs being posted, and employers actively recruiting students and alumni in the plant science industries has kept steady throughout the pandemic. The biggest difference is that these things are now taking place virtually instead of on campus.
We have also seen a change with more remote work being mentioned in job descriptions and deeper intentionality placed on how employers are managing their employees to make sure they feel safe and are kept safe. More clear and transparent communication is really taking a front seat throughout the hiring process; mostly because a lot of procedures and processes are new given the pandemic, so everyone is being re-educated on how things are done.
Based on the employer requests for new hires and job postings we are receiving at the university, we are not seeing much, if any, reduction in work force in the plant science industry. Homes and businesses are still being landscaped, food still needs to be grown, and plant diseases are still being researched and combated just to name a few of the many driving forces in the positive job outlook for plant science industries.
What soft skills should all Business Development Interns possess?
Adam Cahill: Soft skills are often what can set a graduate apart in the hiring and promotion process. They are often items that are difficult to teach and many find it challenging to coach employees on development and growth in these skills; which is quite the contrast to the counterpart technical skills. Because of this, we like to refer to these skills as "power skills" and there are far too many to name them all.
Some of the more tangible power skills we like to see our graduates express competency in before they leave the university are oral and written communication mastery, self-reflection and growth in response to their experiences lived, adaptability and agility, listening to understand and not to respond, and finally, global and intercultural fluency.
These skills and the countless more, are all ones that can be developed and cultivated through practice, awareness, and life experiences. We highly encourage employers to build these skill's development into their operations and company culture as they are not items that should stop being taught once students leave education institutions, but ones that should be continually honed throughout their entire lives.
How have salaries changed over time for Business Development Interns?
Adam Cahill: We have seen a steady increase in reported starting salaries from our graduates each year in the plant sciences area. Geographic location tends to be one of the biggest differentiators to help adjust for cost of living in a specific area. The "add on" benefits from companies is also often a contributing factor that comes into play. Signing bonuses or higher starting salaries for candidates who interned with the company are being seen more often as well as more flexible work arrangements. This comes as no surprise to our career office in response to the pandemic and evolving health and safely guidelines. With many organizations tightening their belts around monetary compensation, we are hearing more flexibility in candidates abilities to negotiate other benefit areas such as time off, work/life balance items, and other reimbursement items for them to accomplish their work such as work vehicles, phones, and travel expenses.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Business Development Internship job market given the pandemic?
Joe Sheller: Pandemic is too new for me to gauge--it's been going on for a year but we have a small graduating class each year. I was worried about last year's class, but they seem to have found placements.
I sort of expect a kind of delayed impact. Lots of my journalism graduates go into marketing, PR, corporate writing or web writing--they are not strictly "service" jobs that were worst hit by pandemic, but do depend on companies that provide those services (not much work in restaurant marketing when all the restaurants are closed, for example). A chunk of the small pool of graduates I had were actually hired by the university where I teach because we had "churn" in our marketing-communication office, both a change of leadership and existing employees moving on off campus for other places--which is not an indication of a weak job market.
Remote job interviews via video conferencing are way more common.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Business Development Interns?
Joe Sheller: Two things: Student media experience (work beyond the classroom) and comfort with technology--ability to think in any medium.
How have salaries changed over time for Business Development Interns?
Joe Sheller: I don't have data on that, to be honest. Have not tracked.