Business Continuity Planners
Business continuity planners develop and maintain strategies to help organizations survive and recover from disasters or disruptions. They assess risks, analyze potential business impacts, create recovery procedures, and test plans through mock exercises. These professionals work in organizations across industries that need to protect their operations and data.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against business continuity planners and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
Work involves analyzing potential threats to business operations, documenting recovery procedures, and coordinating with department heads on continuity plans. Planners may spend time reviewing risk assessments, updating disaster recovery documentation, scheduling and running practice drills, and debriefing exercise results with teams. They also stay current on regulatory requirements and industry standards for business continuity.
Who this work suits
Holland code ECI. Enterprising work is leading, persuading and making decisions. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy organizing complex systems and solving practical problems methodically. You work well with details, procedures, and documentation, and you're comfortable taking charge of planning efforts across multiple departments. You prefer structured environments where clear processes and compliance matter.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $81,720 | $108,160 | $140,670 | 37,790 |
| Maryland | $76,470 | $101,500 | $131,280 | 39,820 |
| Washington | $78,980 | $100,360 | $128,830 | 51,650 |
| Alabama | $77,000 | $100,240 | $131,270 | 6,990 |
| Delaware | $69,580 | $95,040 | $132,100 | 1,600 |
| Alaska | $76,000 | $94,740 | $113,740 | 2,020 |
| Oklahoma | $76,020 | $93,640 | $113,980 | 5,700 |
| Massachusetts | $69,980 | $93,270 | $114,750 | 17,910 |
| Hawaii | $71,000 | $92,620 | $117,190 | 4,030 |
| Colorado | $67,610 | $92,520 | $121,120 | 45,670 |
| New Jersey | $71,680 | $91,060 | $117,260 | 34,210 |
| Rhode Island | $65,080 | $88,130 | $115,230 | 2,240 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) — Disaster Recovery Institute International
- Certified Business Continuity Vendor (CBCV) — Disaster Recovery Institute International
- Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) — Disaster Recovery Institute International
- Master Business Continuity Professional (MBCP) — Disaster Recovery Institute International
- Business Continuity Management Systems Auditor (BCMS) — Exemplar Global
- Project Management E-Business (PME) — Institute of Certified E-Commerce Consultants
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against business continuity planners and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 13-1199.04 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.