GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
Create and build a business from the ground up, managing all aspects of operations.
$50,000
Lower reported wage
—
Not available in our data
$250,000
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.

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Create free account →BLS describes employed top executives, not a distinct startup-founder occupation; legal requirements depend on the business. [1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
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U.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
BLS does not track Entrepreneur/Startup Founder. Self-employed founders excluded from OEWS. May map to 11-1011 Chief Executives ($206K median) once salaried; pre-revenue founders typically below-market or zero pay + equity.
Annual median review, October 27, 2026: No dedicated occupation mapping and annual median have been verified for this role. Adjacent occupations do not establish its earnings, and OEWS excludes self-employed workers. Sources: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2025/may/oes_stru.htm ; https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm . Existing employment and projection figures were not refreshed.
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Ask whether any internship, field placement, or supervised training in your chosen route is paid; arrangements vary. [1]
Estimate startup costs, cash runway, insurance, taxes, and the point at which income could support you.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
Optional preparation in planning and finance; test it against real customer and operating work. [1]
Set strategy, allocate resources, hire or coordinate people, and take responsibility for results. [1]
Founders may work from small offices, customer sites, or remotely; the BLS source covers related executive work. [1]
Hours vary widely and can be long, especially during launch or cash-flow pressure. [1]
Financial uncertainty, decisions with incomplete information, and staff needs require resilience. [1]
A viable business may grow into broader leadership; outcomes are not guaranteed. [1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.