Average MBA Salary Expectations: What You Can Earn by Industry

Earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree strengthens business leadership skills and enhances career mobility and earning potential. This advanced degree covers a broad range of business topics, preparing graduates to excel in high-level roles within their chosen industry.

MBA salaries vary based on factors such as location, industry, role, and experience. This article will explore jobs for MBA graduates, average salaries by industry, the new skills you can expect to gain, and the career growth opportunities available. You’ll also learn how Aurora University’s online MBA program supports your personal and professional goals. If you’re wondering “what can you do with an MBA?”, the answer spans from launching your own business to advancing into senior roles in many industries.

MBA Salary Overview

Earning an MBA can lead to leadership roles and increased earning potential throughout industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for business and financial occupations was $80,920 in 2024, reflecting positions typically requiring a bachelor’s degree. Professionals in high-level business management occupations earned a median annual salary of $122,090. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Corporate Recruiters Survey for 2025 indicates that the average salary for MBA holders is projected to be $123,000, well above the national average for other business professionals.

Many MBA holders may see a higher salary due to bonuses, benefits packages, and long-term incentives as part of their total compensation. Actual earnings for MBA holders vary due to factors such as company size, geographic location, industry, and years of experience.

MBA Salary by Industry

The earning potential and average salary for MBA graduates vary and are often industry dependent. Whether you’re seeking MBA degree jobs in finance, healthcare, marketing, or technology, salaries for MBA graduate jobs consistently exceed those for bachelor’s-level positions. Below are average salary ranges and common career paths for MBA degree jobs in several key industries.

Finance

MBA graduates in finance often pursue roles such as investment banker, chief financial officer (CFO), corporate treasurer, or financial manager. Salaries for finance roles can be significantly higher than the average, depending on the position.

Top leadership roles like CFO are some of the highest-paying MBA jobs, averaging $152,724, per Payscale, with total pay closer to $300,000 for those at major firms. These positions are highly competitive but remain among the most rewarding jobs you can get with an MBA, especially for graduates seeking career advancement in banking, investment, or corporate finance.

Technology

In technology, MBA graduates combine business acumen with technical expertise to drive innovation and strategic growth in fields like artificial intelligence, e-commerce, social media, and software. Typical roles include business analyst, information systems management, or product manager.

Technology careers are also among the most lucrative. Chief information officers (CIOs) average $179,609 annually, while information systems managers may earn $158,176. With the increasing demand for leaders who can translate technology advancement into business value, technology provides plenty of opportunities for MBA graduates. Salaries in the field vary based on company, location, and position.

Healthcare

The healthcare industry offers a wide range of opportunities, including in hospitals, clinics or private practices, biotech firms, insurance companies, health consulting firms, or digital health startup companies. The median salary for healthcare administrators is $134,000 per year. Typical roles include healthcare administrator and operations manager, healthcare consultant and policy analyst, or medical practice manager.

Hospital CFOs earn an average salary of $152,724, depending on the organization and location, with many comprising the top percentile of earners reported by Payscale, receiving average salaries of $250,000 or more annually. The average starting salary for someone with an MBA in healthcare administration or management is $90,000 per year, approximately $20,000 more than someone with a bachelor’s degree in the same field.

Marketing

Quality marketing is vital to business success, and MBA graduates in the marketing industry can find several careers with high earning potential. Positions include digital marketing manager, brand manager, market research analyst, or advertising director.

BLS data for 2023 found the median annual salary for marketing managers was $157,620. Salaries for executive positions like vice president of marketing or chief marketing officer (CMO) often range from $200,000 to $450,000.

Manufacturing and Supply Chain

MBA graduates in the manufacturing and supply chain industry may work as industrial production managers, purchasing managers, supply chain consultants, or transportation managers. Roles in this industry require skills like cost control, forecasting, process improvement, or strategic oversight.

Purchasing managers earn a median of $79,830 per year, while industrial production managers earn a median of $121,440 annually. Salaries rise significantly in executive-level positions that oversee entire supply chains.

Nonprofit and Government

Salaries in the nonprofit and government industries tend to be lower than in the private sector. However, MBA graduates can find rewarding careers in nonprofit organizations, such as executive director, grants manager, or director of compliance.

The average annual salary for a grant manager is $87,185, while the average yearly salary for a chief executive in government agencies is approximately $156,620. Salary is often commensurate with experience working in either the nonprofit or government sector and may depend on the location or jurisdiction.

Career Benefits and Growth Potential

An MBA promotes upward mobility and a direct pathway to management and executive positions in a range of industries by enhancing leadership abilities and equipping graduates with a strong leadership philosophy that supports career advancement and higher earning potential.

Graduates gain a mix of technical and soft skills. Technical skills include data analysis, financial management, marketing and branding, operations and supply chain management, and proficiency with software and digital tools relevant to business operations. Soft skills emphasize adaptability, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and resilience.

Employers value MBA graduates for their ability to pair strategic thinking with practical business expertise. In addition to mastering business fundamentals, MBA students build networks that expand career opportunities and position them as highly competitive candidates capable of driving organizational growth and success.

Inside Aurora University’s Online MBA Program

Aurora University’s flexible online MBA program is led by field-experienced faculty members and emphasizes today’s most critical business topics. Graduates are prepared to lead in their chosen industries, supported by courses that balance education with career, home, and life responsibilities. With convenient scheduling, you can complete your degree in as little as one year.

The general MBA program at Aurora University requires 36 hours and covers core areas such as marketing, leadership, finance, accounting, and organizational leadership. Concentrations include an MBA in Leadership, an MBA in Marketing, and an MBA in Leadership and Marketing. No GRE or GMAT is required to apply, and students benefit from the personal attention and support of a small college environment.

Aurora University’s online MBA programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Students acquire essential skills that are transferable across industries, including brand strategy, budgeting, critical thinking, operations management, problem-solving, research methods, strategic management, and team management.

Expand Your Career Horizons Today

An MBA can open the door to competitive salaries and leadership opportunities in a variety of industries. Aurora University’s online MBA degree provides the skill development and credentials to advance into high-level MBA jobs in the fields you’re most passionate about, from management consulting to healthcare administration. Flexible online coursework and expert faculty equip you for some of the jobs you can get with an MBA that employers value most.

Explore AU’s online MBA program to learn more about tuition costs, coursework, and application requirements. If you’re ready to begin your journey toward a more lucrative career, apply online today.