A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree prepares students with the skills and expertise to boost their leadership potential, career mobility and long-term earnings. While salaries vary by industry, role and experience, MBA graduates can receive competitive compensation packages that include base salaries, performance bonuses, stock options and benefits packages that reflect the value of advanced business training.
This guide explores the average salaries across key industries, offering insights into the earning potential and growth opportunities that an MBA program can provide. With an online MBA degree from an accredited institution like Southeastern Oklahoma State University, graduates have the knowledge, skills and leadership abilities to achieve their career goals, enhance career mobility and maximize their return on investment.
MBA Salary Overview
Earning an MBA can open the door to advanced roles and higher earning potential. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the median annual starting salary for graduates is $120,000, which is nearly double that of professionals with a bachelor’s degree. While this is the average starting point for MBA graduate salaries, total compensation is often actually higher due to bonuses, benefits and long-term incentives.
Salaries can vary widely by industry, with roles in consulting, finance and technology often earning more than the median. Location can also impact compensation, with urban areas and cities typically offering higher pay due to their higher costs of living, compared to smaller towns or rural regions. Other contributing factors that affect total compensation include work experience, job responsibilities and specialized skills.
MBA Salary by Industry
The industry an MBA graduate enters after completing the program has a significant effect on starting salary and long-term earning potential. Factors, such as organizational size, sector profitability and specialized skills, all play a role in industry standards and affect total compensation.
Finance
Finance is consistently one of the highest-paying industries for MBA graduates. Positions in investment banking, corporate finance and asset management often come with high starting salaries, stock options and substantial performance-based bonuses.
Leadership roles usually involve managing essential business tasks such as managing investment portfolios, overseeing financial planning and developing corporate strategies. Examples of finance roles and their median annual salaries (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) include:
- Financial analyst: $101,910
- Financial advisor: $102,140
- Financial manager: $161,700
Technology
Technology companies consistently offer competitive compensation for MBA graduates, especially in areas such as project management, operations and strategy. These positions often include stock options, equity and benefits packages, along with additional perks such as flexible work environments, professional development opportunities and substantial bonuses.
MBA graduates frequently pursue positions such as product manager, data analytics manager, program manager or operations manager. These individuals are responsible for overseeing strategic initiatives, analyzing business data and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Healthcare
Healthcare organizations offer strong salaries for MBA graduates, often nearing the average annual median. Graduates who enter the industry are frequently hired for managerial roles in hospitals, clinics and healthcare systems, where they oversee budgets, operations, staffing and compliance.
Positions in administration and management have the highest average wages within the healthcare industry, due to the specialized skills and responsibilities the job requires. For example, medical and health services managers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $137,730, with increased earning potential as they advance in their role.
Marketing
Marketing offers MBA graduates opportunities to build brand strategy, lead advertising campaigns and direct market research programs. Common marketing positions include brand manager, market research director or marketing manager, which has a median annual salary of $159,660.
Compensation often reflects the value placed on creative leadership and data-driven decision-making. MBA marketing positions can come with high-earning salaries, performance-based bonuses and stock options.
Manufacturing and supply chain
MBA graduates who enter leadership roles in the manufacturing and supply chain industry oversee production, logistics, procurement and operations. These positions come with competitive salaries and bonuses, as organizations rely on these professionals to help reduce their costs, optimize processes and ensure the timely delivery of products.
Typical MBA-level roles include supply chain manager, operations manager or procurement manager, which often come with starting wages near the average across industries. For example, production managers earn a median annual salary of $121,440.
Nonprofit and government
Nonprofit and government positions generally offer lower salaries, but allow MBA graduates to forge meaningful career paths and make a lasting impact in their communities. Graduates who enter these roles manage budgets, lead fundraising campaigns and oversee program operations. Examples of MBA-level positions in this industry include program director, development manager and policy analyst.
Salaries in nonprofit and government roles often begin at less than $100,000 but offer growth opportunities and long-term benefits. For example, social and community service managers earn a median annual salary of $78,240, with total compensation increasing with experience and additional responsibilities.
Career Benefits and Growth Potential
Employers across all industries continue to seek skilled MBA graduates to lead teams, oversee operations and drive long-term growth. The demand for professionals with leadership skills, strategic thinking and advanced business knowledge remains strong, with an increasing number of organizations seeking MBA degree holders year after year.
MBA graduates bring the blend of technical and soft skills that employers value to enhance operations, strengthen collaboration and drive company success. Combining their expertise in finance, project management, marketing and data analytics with strengths in communication, negotiation and leadership, graduates are equipped to take on advanced roles and contribute to the growth of organizations across various sectors.
MBA-level roles also offer mobility within organizations, providing employees with pathways to advance from leadership roles to top executive positions. For example, an MBA graduate who begins as a marketing manager can progress into a director of marketing role and eventually reach the executive level as chief marketing officer (CMO). This opportunity for upward trajectory enables graduates to gain valuable expertise, strengthen their leadership abilities and achieve their long-term career goals.
Inside Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Online MBA Programs
Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers flexible, online MBA programs that prepare students with core business knowledge and skills transferable across industries. Students can choose between general and specialized tracks, opting to leave their options open or tailor their studies to align with their long-term career goals. Concentration options include finance, marketing, aerospace logistics, management and data analytics, preparing students for positions in high-earning fields.
With online, flexible learning platforms and multiple start dates throughout the year, these Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited programs allow students to complete their studies without compromising their personal and professional commitments. Many students complete the program in as few as 12-16 months, offering a fast track to advancing their careers and pursuing managerial and leadership roles after graduation.
Advance Your Career with Southeastern’s Online MBA Programs
Completing an MBA opens the doors to competitive salaries in a wide range of industries, including finance, technology, marketing and human resources. Graduates have the essential leadership, decision-making and technical skills highly valued by employers searching for candidates to lead teams, guide strategic initiatives and enhance company performance.
Southeastern’s MBA online programs provide affordable, flexible pathways for students to advance their education, strengthen their technical skills and increase their earning potential. Students gain the expertise to enter leadership roles in a variety of sectors, opening the door to high-earning and growth-oriented careers. Explore admission requirements to learn more and discover how Southeastern’s online MBA programs can help you reach your maximum potential.