20 Best MBA Degree Jobs That Pay Well

By Indeed Editorial Team

April 13, 2022

An MBA can increase your credibility, help you learn additional skills and get you noticed by employment recruiters. With an MBA, you can improve your leadership, communication, critical thinking, and money management skills.

This degree can also help you get a better salary and expand your professional network. In this article, we list some of the top jobs available for MBA graduates, including their typical duties and salaries.

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What is an MBA?

An MBA or Master of Business Administration degree provides in-depth education about business management and administration. It can help people get jobs in many different fields. It usually takes two years to earn this master's degree after graduating with a bachelor's degree. You can focus on a certain business-related field while earning an MBA, such as marketing, finance, operations or human resources. Earning an MBA usually provides an opportunity for a higher salary, more responsibility and increased employment opportunities.

Jobs you can get with an MBA degree

If you are earning an MBA or interested in pursuing one, consider these common career options for MBA graduates. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the links provided.

1. Consultant

National average salary: $51,055 per year

Primary duties: Consultants, also called management consultants, management analysts or business consultants, provide professional expertise to companies that face new problems or attempt to adopt new procedures or processes. They work to improve efficiency and profitability while planning for long-term changes such as new laws or shifts in customer demographics.

They can also help improve employee productivity and give specialized advice to CEOs, CFOs and other executives. Companies offering this position often work with multiple clients on a per-project or contract basis. Most consultants specialize in a specific industry such as transportation, retail sales or health care.

2. Accountant

National average salary: $57,697 per year

Primary duties: An accountant, also called a CPA or certified public accountant (if certified), prepares financial records for companies and individuals. They make sure that all financial records are accurate and file tax statements and returns for businesses and people accurately and on time. They also help reduce costs, increase efficiency and explain their findings to upper-level managers and executives.

3. Investment banker

National average salary: $60,021 per year

Primary duties: Investment bankers issue debt or sell equity in companies. They also help clients with mergers and acquisitions and give advice on investment opportunities, such as derivatives.

4. Logistics manager

National average salary: $64,412 per year

Primary duties: A logistics manager coordinates and analyzes the supply chain for an organization. They must manage the entire life cycle of all the company's products, including how staff members acquire, distribute and deliver products.

Managing the global supply chain is an effective way for companies to increase their profits. Most international corporations have facilities and suppliers on more than one continent, so they need experts to make sure that their supply chain stays efficient. Most logistics managers have an MBA with a focus in operations and supply chain management.

5. Health center manager

National average salary: $64,480 per year

Primary duties: Health center managers oversee the finances and daily operations of nursing homes, hospitals and other patient care facilities. They oversee the training of staff members, follow and maintain budget records, create work schedules and make sure that doctors can communicate easily with staff and patients. Health center managers are also called health care executives or health care administrators. These experts usually have an MBA with a focus in public health.

6. Marketing manager

National average salary: $66,755 per year

Primary duties: A marketing manager plans marketing programs to attract new customers and encourage new purchases from existing customers. Marketing managers also provide demand estimates and find new markets for companies.

7. Business operations manager

National average salary: $68,967 per year

Primary duties: A business operations manager manages global supply chains efficiently, reducing costs. Sometimes called chief operations officers, COOs or operations directors, they manage financial policies, generate financial reports, collaborate with others to create company budgets, oversee marketing initiatives and manage stock losses.

8. Sales manager

National average salary: $69,809 per year

Primary duties: Sales managers or marketing managers find and recommend ways to improve sales procedures. They create sales and promotions, set sales quotas, train salespeople and determine appropriate commissions for sales staff. Sales managers also analyze market trends to predict the needs and desires of customers and recommend the best new markets.

For example, a sales manager for a family restaurant might tell executives to place their next location as close to the local school as possible. That way, families will see signs with current specials every day when they are on the way to and from school. Sales managers usually have an MBA with a focus in marketing.

9. Financial analyst

National average salary: $70,250 per year

Primary duties: A financial analyst or securities analyst offers advice and guidance on securities and other investments for businesses. They assess how stocks, bonds and similar investments perform. Then, they make predictions about the future performances of those investments and give their clients detailed advice.

For example, a financial analyst for a chain of fast-food restaurants could help find the best location for the next restaurant by predicting the future value of the land that the company will build it on. Like consultants, many financial analysts work with a variety of different clients. Some give investment advice to individuals as well. Most financial analysts have an MBA with a focus in finance.

10. Human resources manager

National average salary: $74,234 per year

Primary duties: A human resources manager plans, directs and coordinates all of the administrative roles in a company. They take care of recruiting, interviewing and hiring new staff, and they work with executives to create long-term hiring plans. They also mediate disputes between employees and handle disciplinary procedures when needed.

11. Purchasing manager

National average salary: $74,427 per year

Primary duties: A purchasing manager plans and coordinates buying materials, products and supplies for companies. They also oversee local or regional buyers and purchasing agents. Like logistics managers, purchasing managers help coordinate the supply chain.

However, they focus on making sure that the things the business needs are in stock. For example, a purchasing manager for a retail store would need to order holiday items such as Christmas trees in time for them to go on sale well before Thanksgiving. Purchasing managers also negotiate with wholesalers and contractors to get the best prices for products and services. These professionals usually have an MBA with a focus in operations and supply chain management.

12. Budget analyst

National average salary: $76,023 per year

Primary duties: A budget analyst helps businesses and nonprofit organizations manage their finances. Budget analysts often prepare budget reports, monitor institutional spending and evaluate quarterly or yearly budget proposals.

13. Project manager

National average salary: $77,069 per year

Primary duties: A project manager oversees one or more company projects, such as introducing a new product. They manage quality control, scheduling employees, meeting deadlines, updating supervisors, ordering supplies and materials, marketing and more.

14. Policy analyst

National average salary: $77,763 per year

Primary duties: A policy analyst works to raise awareness about public policies, gathers data about the effects of policies and recommends changes when needed. They can work for the federal government, for a university or for an independent research organization.

15. Operations research analyst

National average salary: $86,200 per year

Primary duties: An operations research analyst works with every department in a company. They help managers decide the best way to allocate limited funds and resources. They also create efficient production schedules, manage the supply chain effectively and establish good pricing policies. Operations research analysts rely on complex analytical methods, including statistical analysis, economic simulations and predictive modeling, to improve the profitability of a business.

16. Business intelligence analyst

National average salary: $86,572 per year

Primary duties: Business intelligence analysts decipher data to analyze business and market trends for companies. They increase efficiency and profits for companies, and they can work for a particular business or as a consultant. They use software to collect computer data from companies and analyze industry trends to determine how a business is performing, how it can improve and where it can lower costs. They often compare past trends to current conditions.

17. IT manager

National average salary: $90,224 per year

Primary duties: IT managers, or computer and information technology managers, help companies oversee research projects, implement technological advances, upgrade and install software and keep corporate networks secure. They also establish technical standards throughout the company and make sure that all employees follow them.

For example, an IT manager could require all employees who bring their personal laptops or tablets to work to install the same recently updated antivirus program. IT managers also help companies promote their brands by keeping websites easy to use and entertaining. Since most large and small companies use information technology to increase their efficiency, this job is in high demand. IT managers usually have an MBA with a focus in information systems.

18. Product manager

National average salary: $99,832 per year

Primary duties: Product managers coordinate finance, development and marketing teams to create new products. They are responsible for producing products on time and under budget. They also handle marketing strategies and decide which features products should have. Product managers usually have an MBA with a focus in marketing or project management.

19. Chief executive officer

National average salary: $127,418 per year

Primary duties: A chief executive officer, or CEO, is at the head of a company. They make major corporate decisions, manage overall resources and business operations and act as the main point of communication between employees and the board of directors. A CEO also acts as the public face of the company. These professionals are elected by the board and its shareholders. Many corporate boards choose CEOs with an MBA.

20. Chief financial officer

National average salary: $134,611 per year

Primary duties: A Chief financial officer or CFO reports to the CEO. CFOs manage investments, capital structure, income and expenses for companies. They work with other senior managers to obtain funding from investors and perform forecasting or benefits analysis. Many CFOs have MBAs in finance or accounting.

20 Best MBA Degree Jobs That Pay Well

What is an MBA?

Jobs you can get with an MBA degree

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