MBA Salary and Career Outlook

Can an MBA Add Value to Your Career?

The most obvious benefit of getting an MBA is the career opportunities. An MBA can greatly increase your chances of obtaining and holding high-level positions in a company.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to obtain a higher salary. Many MBA professionals end up making six figures a year. However, your salary will depend on your MBA concentration, where you live and the company you work for.

Another huge benefit is networking opportunities. Not only do professors provide employment help and advice, but there are also many networking events held at MBA schools. Therefore, if you have limited work experience, an MBA program may make it easier to job hunt.

Lastly, MBA degree programs will teach you how to hold high-level, authoritative positions. Through a challenging curriculum, MBA programs teach you real-life skills and lessons that can be invaluable to your career. In addition, you will also learn the latest, most innovative ideas in the business community.

Employer Demand for MBAs

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council's (GMAC) Corporate Recruiters Survey 2025 Report, 90% of responding employers worldwide planned to hire MBA talent in 2025, and more than a quarter of U.S. employers planned to expand their MBA hiring that year. GMAC also reports that MBA hires in the U.S. can expect to earn about $25,000 more than a candidate hired directly from another organization.

Essentially, MBA graduates remain in strong demand among employers.

5 Growing MBA Concentrations

1. General Management

An MBA concentration in General Management is designed to prepare graduates for management roles across a range of organizations, from small and medium-sized enterprises to larger international companies, as well as for consulting work.

2. Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the study of business. Students will gain skills to create effective business strategies, problem solve and manage a team in a corporate setting.

An MBA concentration in entrepreneurship is designed for individuals who want to start, manage or take over a business, and its curriculum can also apply to roles in accounting, HR and management consulting.

3. Information Technology

Information technology, or IT, focuses on technical skills that deal with software, security and other computer systems. Individuals with a concentration in IT will learn how to implement information technology into businesses as well as management training.

Individuals in this field of study may find a position as an IT manager or head of a company's IT department, an IT consultant, or a computer science field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, computer and information systems managers earn a national median annual wage of $175,140 as of May 2025 — one of the higher-paying paths open to MBA graduates with an IT concentration.

4. Consulting

Consulting is one of the most varied career paths. Why? You can explore practically any MBA concentration and apply it to consulting. If you know consulting is a career path you want, be sure to take consulting classes when you are pursuing your MBA degree.

These consulting classes can help you to hone what you learn and apply it to advising others. You will learn how to analyze potential issues in a company, communicate your results effectively and problem solve to create effective solutions for businesses.

5. Marketing

An MBA in marketing teaches students all about how a company develops and implements a marketing plan and how that plan drives results. All in all, the course will teach individuals how to approach marketing decisions regarding sales, distribution and promotion.

Marketing MBA grads have a wide variety of industries they may explore. For instance, they may want to get a job in the advertising, sales, editorial, digital marketing or corporate management industries.

10 Great Paying Jobs for MBA Grads

Based on salary and career outlook, Teach.com has compiled a list of 10 jobs for MBA graduates that pay well. Explore them below!

1. Computer and Information Systems Manager Jobs

In short, a computer and information systems manager keeps everything operational on a computer system. They are also in charge of implementing software upgrades, internet security and other computer functions.

According to the BLS OEWS program, computer and information systems managers earn a national median annual wage of $175,140 as of May 2025.

Businesses continue to transform using digital platforms, making this an invaluable position with lots of room to grow.

2. Medical Health Services Manager Jobs

People working as medical and health services managers can expect to make a national median annual salary of $123,860, according to BLS OEWS data for May 2025.

Individuals in this position are in charge of managing budgets, employees and technology in a health care facility. They must also stay up to date on all health care regulations and laws that pertain to their position.

3. Management Consultant Jobs

Management consultants are trained to help organizations solve complex problems, create strategies and improve the overall operations of a business. Essentially, they evaluate the root causes of where issues might lie and formulate strategies to improve those issues.

BLS publishes wage data for this work under the Management Analysts occupation; as of May 2025, management analysts earn a national median annual wage of $101,860.

4. Compensation and Benefits Manager Jobs

Compensation and benefits managers oversee various departments' pay structures. They typically analyze the competitiveness of their company's pay scale, helping the company to attract and retain top talent.

As of May 2025, the national median annual wage for compensation and benefits managers is $149,230, according to the BLS OEWS program.

5. Sales Manager Jobs

Sales managers oversee the team of sales representatives within a company, create revenue goals and find innovative ways to generate leads within a company. In many ways, sales managers drive results for the business, motivate its employees and grow revenue.

As of May 2025, sales managers earn a national median annual wage of $148,270, according to BLS OEWS data.

6. Financial Manager Jobs

Financial managers create financial plans for businesses, oversee investments, develop long-term strategies, review financial reports and strategize for expansion. Moreover, financial managers make sure appropriate financial processes are being used to drive positive revenue.

As of May 2025, the national median annual wage for financial managers is $166,570, according to the BLS OEWS program.

7. Market Research Analyst Jobs

Market research analysts study the market to make forecasts of products or services that could potentially perform well. In other words, their job is to determine what customers want and help businesses tailor their markets accordingly. This will help drive definitive results for companies.

As of May 2025, BLS reports a national median annual wage of $78,760 for market research analysts and marketing specialists.

8. Marketing Manager Jobs

Marketing managers develop marketing plans for companies, promoting the business and their products or services. Some marketing managers oversee all products and/or services a company offers, while others manage a specific line of products or a particular service.

As of May 2025, the national median annual wage for marketing managers is $166,790, according to BLS OEWS data.

9. Business Operations Manager Jobs

Business operations managers have a variety of responsibilities. For example, they might track business results, set business goals, ensure systems operate smoothly and monitor financial data, among many other tasks.

BLS publishes wage data for this work under the General and Operations Managers occupation; as of May 2025, the national median annual wage for general and operations managers is $105,770, according to the BLS OEWS program.

10. Financial Advisor Jobs

Financial advisors help individuals with financial planning. This may include investments, savings, insurance, mortgages, retirement and other finances. Successful financial advisors have an in-depth knowledge of market investments and work to help clients create financial strategies that will work for them.

As of May 2025, personal financial advisors earn a national median annual wage of $105,070, according to BLS OEWS data. In many cases, financial advisors gain clients through outreach and do not work for any particular company. For this reason, salaries vary depending on the number of clients a particular financial advisor has. They may have to build a reputable client base before making a significant salary.

What Is the Average Salary for an MBA Graduate?

According to the GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey 2025 U.S. regional profile, the projected median annual base salary in the United States for MBA graduates is $125,000, and MBA hires can expect to earn about $25,000 more than a candidate hired directly from another organization.

Keep in mind, however, that certain MBA concentrations will have a higher salary than others. Additionally, salaries vary by state, industry and employer.