MBA Salary Guide
The value of an online MBA is a long-term, strategic investment—one with a different ROI for every individual. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), management roles earned a median annual wage of $122,090 in May 2024. And earning potential rises dramatically as professionals enter higher levels of leadership. For example, chief executives earned a median annual wage of $206,420 in 2024.
Explore career paths for MBA graduates, the average salaries of leadership roles, and the variables that affect them below.
Key Takeaways
- The most common career paths associated with earning an MBA include roles in the areas of consulting, finance, and technology.
- MBA leadership salaries vary by employer type, occupation, industry, and geography. For example, the median annual wage for chief executives was $206,420 in May 2024, according to data from the BLS.
- An online MBA enables working professionals to effectively balance their personal life and academic development with their career goals. Students who completed the online MBA at UNC reported an average salary increase of 22% during the program, according to data from an October 2024 exit survey.
Top Career Paths for MBA Graduates
MBA graduates are qualified for leadership roles across a variety of industries requiring strategic decision-making and business insight. Consulting, finance, and technology are among the top career paths for MBA graduates.
Financial roles are popular among MBA graduates on account of the high demand for specialized skills and leadership opportunities in areas like fintech, investment banking, and corporate financial planning. The technology sector is also a growing industry—accelerated by the influx of AI and digital transformation.
Common Job Types
MBA graduates often seek the following types of jobs with an MBA:
- Management: Consultant, general manager, operations manager, project manager, product manager
- Finance: Investment banker, financial analyst, portfolio manager
- Entrepreneurship: Startup executive, founder, venture capitalist
- Operations and supply chain: Operations director, supply chain manager, logistics manager
- Human resources: HR manager, chief human resources officer, talent development manager
- Technology: Business intelligence analyst, strategy manager
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MBA Leadership Salaries and Influencing Factors
MBA graduates often transition into leadership positions (such as manager, director, VP, or C-suite). These leadership salaries vary by employer type, occupation, industry, and geography.
CEO Average Salary Comparison by Industry
According to data from the BLS, the median annual wage for chief executives was $206,420 in May 2024.
The compensation for chief executives varies by employer type and industry. Public corporations, private equity-backed firms, and more exclusive positions tend to pay CEOs more than governments and schools.
| Chief Executive Industry | Mean Annual Wage (2023) |
|---|---|
Motion picture and video | $513,800 |
Companies and enterprises | $390,710 |
Grantmaking and giving services | $257,700 |
Business, professional, and political organizations | $252,090 |
Computer systems design | $249,860 |
Local government (excluding schools and hospitals) | $156,620 |
Elementary and secondary schools | $182,880 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes111011.htm
Availability of these positions also depends on industry. For example, there were more than 16,000 chief executives working in local government in 2024, compared to 480 in spectator sports (who earned $735,020, on average).
Average MBA Salary Comparison by Occupation
MBA salaries are competitive by industry, particularly in key sectors such as private equity/banking, management consulting, tech, and health care. The chart below displays several roles frequently pursued by MBA graduates, along with their average annual wages.
Average Management Salaries by Industry
According to data from the BLS, the average salary for general management occupations was $122,090 in May 2024.
Top-earning sectors for management roles include the following industries and their corresponding median annual wage, in 2024:
- Computer and information systems managers: $171,200
- Architecture and engineering managers: $167,740
- Finance managers: $161,700
- Advertising and marketing managers: $159,660
- Medical and health services managers: $117,960
Salaries by Geography
Geographical location also plays a notable role in the variation of MBA salaries. A job with a firm located in one state may provide higher compensation compared to a similar role with a company in another state. The salary disparity can be linked to the cost of living in that area and supply and demand.
For example, financial managers in New York earned an annual mean wage of $241,150 in 2023—about 40% higher than the national average.
ROI of the Online MBA Program at UNC Kenan-Flagler
An MBA provides a path to professional growth and significant leadership positions. Earning an MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler presents a significant ROI, particularly as it relates to career flexibility and salary growth.
The online MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler enables working professionals to effectively balance their personal life, career, and academic development. Students can continue working while in the program, which often allows them to repay any financial assistance more quickly, resulting in a swifter recovery of their tuition costs.
Data from an exit survey in October 2024 showed that among all students who completed the online MBA at UNC, there was an average salary increase of 22% during the program. The average starting salary range for graduates, excluding outliers, was $149,218. The average ending salary at graduation: $179,041, excluding outliers. The highest-earning students by graduation had a salary of up to $300,000.
Career flexibility was also a key takeaway from the survey. 79% of the students received a salary increase and/or changed jobs during the program, and many indicated that the program helped build confidence and career marketability.
The ROI is more than just financial for online MBA graduates. About one-third of students changed jobs during their time in the program and half intend to do so within a year of graduation. Online MBA graduates leave with confidence, career marketability, and a lifelong investment in their future. Even after graduation alumni will continue to have access to invaluable career development resources for life, such as one-on-one career coaching, resume and interview guidance, and elective courses.
Among many top rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked UNC Kenan-Flagler in the Top 30 in Best Business Schools in 2025, and in 2026 the MBA program was ranked #3 in Best Online MBAs and #4 in Best Online Business Analytics MBA Programs.
Created by the online MBA program from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.