⭐ Bright Outlook

Business Continuity Planners

O*NET 13-1199.04 · SOC 13-1199

Business Continuity Planner is a solid career choice. Median pay is $83k a year with +3.9% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 98,700 openings a year. AI exposure: Moderate.

Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27

Projected Growth
+3.9%
2025–2035
Median Salary
$83k
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Annual Openings
99k
positions/year
Education Level
Zone 4
Considerable preparation needed (bachelor's degree)

What You'd Actually Do

  • →Develop and maintain organizational business continuity plans
  • →Conduct risk assessments to identify critical business functions
  • →Design and execute business continuity exercises and drills
  • →Coordinate recovery strategies with departments and stakeholders
  • →Ensure compliance with continuity regulations and industry standards

Education & How to Get In

🎯
Job Zone 4
Considerable preparation needed (bachelor's degree)

A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Business Continuity Planner roles. Related majors and internship experience during college significantly improve your chances. Many employers also value relevant certifications or project portfolios alongside the degree.

Get Started Learning

Ready to start building skills for a career as a Business Continuity Planner? These platforms offer courses you can start today, many with free trials or financial aid.

Coursera
University-backed courses and certificates
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Udemy
Affordable self-paced courses from $12.99
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Skillshare
Creative and professional skill classes
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LinkedIn Learning
Professional development with certificates
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Work Environment

Primary Setting

Leadership, offices, client meetings, or hybrid

Work Style

Collaborative, frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients

A Day in the Life

While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Business Continuity Planner involves a mix of core responsibilities:

MorningDevelop and maintain organizational business continuity plans
MiddayConduct risk assessments to identify critical business functions
AfternoonDesign and execute business continuity exercises and drills

Personality Fit (RIASEC)

Enterprising (Persuaders)5.2
Conventional (Organizers)5.1
Investigative (Thinkers)4.4
Social (Helpers)3.1
Realistic (Doers)2.0
Artistic (Creators)1.7

Who Thrives as Business Continuity Planner?

Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.

ENTJThe CommanderESTJThe ExecutiveISTJThe InspectorINTJThe Strategist

Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →

See Open Business Continuity Planner Roles

Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.

Indeed ↗LinkedIn Jobs ↗ZipRecruiter ↗

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Job Outlook

Employment of Business Continuity Planners is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations. The BLS flags this as a Bright Outlook occupation.

Will AI Replace This Job?

38/100Moderate, likely AI-complementary
  • ·36% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
  • ·33% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace

Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.

Common Questions

How much does a Business Continuity Planner make?

The median Business Continuity Planner earns $83k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.

Will AI replace Business Continuity Planner jobs?

Our model puts Business Continuity Planner at 38 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is moderate, likely AI-complementary. The main drivers: 36% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 33% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace.

Is Business Continuity Planner a growing field?

Employment is projected to grow 3.9% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 98,700 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.

What degree do you need to be a Business Continuity Planner?

A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Business Continuity Planner roles, and relevant internships matter as much as the subject.

How long does it take to become a Business Continuity Planner?

Typically about four years, typically a bachelor's degree. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 4 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.

Is a Business Continuity Planner career right for you?

Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.

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