10 $100K Jobs You Can Secure With an MBA
Most, if not all, business leaders have earned an MBA, making it a longstanding benchmark for the ambitious professional. The degree demonstrates that its holder is intelligent, resilient, ambitious, and successful; they have the knowledge and experience to tackle any problem the business world throws their way. And that’s exactly why an MBA has the highest earning potential of any master’s degree.
An MBA will earn you a minimum 15% more than you were making.
An MBA is expensive, but the good news is that the investment, while rather significant, always pays itself off. According to Forbes, many graduates saw an 80% increase in salary within just five years after graduation. Steep increases in salary and generous signing bonuses make the MBA degree a solid investment.
Now, it’s important to remember that the MBA is not the magic golden ticket to a six-figure salary. The degree itself is not going to earn you the big bucks. However, it will open the door to job opportunities that will. An MBA often serves as a gateway to leadership positions, and management roles typically involve higher salaries than non-management jobs. And for good reason: an MBA proves that you are a highly intelligent, resilient, and communicative team player. The hard and soft skills that you will define and hone over the course of your MBA studies are essential to the business world.
Take it from Rajib Sanyal, Ph.D., dean of Adelphi University’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business:
An attraction of the MBA degree is not only does it give a boost in one’s salary on completing it (not a surprise given that it is additional years of schooling beyond the undergraduate degree, and thus extra human capital has been accumulated by the individual), but it sets the person up on a upward trajectory organizational ladder of increasing responsibility and potential for accomplishments, which gets reflected in salary increases, larger bonuses, and valuable perquisites.
Sanyal also writes that “the MBA degree has been a passport to high earnings. The salary one gets reflects prior work experience, the industry, the functional specialization that the student has chosen to build their career, and often the size/resources of the firm where they are employed.” So where will that passport take you? Here are 10 jobs you can secure with an MBA that will earn you a six-figure salary:
- Accountant
The average salary of an accountant is nothing to scoff at, but if you’re looking to surpass that six-figure mark, having an MBA is the way to go. A general MBA is more than enough to secure an executive accountant position, but if tax season is more exciting than Christmas to you, consider taking it to the next level with accounting concentration.
Average salary post MBA: $100,00-$151,000
→Check out Adelphi University’s MBA Program with a concentration in Accounting
- Consultant
The consulting industry is one of the most lucrative sectors in the business world, with some consultants earning a seven-figure salary. Since the work of consultants is essential to the health and productivity of companies, they are well compensated. Business consulting is also one of the most in-demand careers for MBA grads, which makes it a wise and stable choice.
Average salary post MBA: High-level consultants can earn up to $130,000.
→Check out Sacred Heart University’s MBA program with a concentration in Business Analytics
- Hospital Administrator
Hospitals are big businesses, and if the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that the healthcare system needs strong leaders. An MBA in Healthcare Management will lead to such opportunities as Hospital Administrator, Director of Operations, or even CEO of a hospital.
Interested in earning a dual degree in MHA/MBA? The MHA degree trains students how to navigate the clinical, administrative, and regulatory environment of the healthcare field, while the MBA provides students with a solid grounding in principles of business and management such as finance, marketing, human resources, and strategy.
Average salary post MBA: $100,000- $600,000
→Check out Frostburg State University’s College of Business MBA program with a concentration in Healthcare Management
- Investment Banker
From r/WallStreetBets to The New York Stock Exchange, investment bankers are in high demand. Investment banking is notorious for having competitive salaries and high signing bonuses. Typically, compensation for investment bankers consists of a few components: base salary, signing bonus, end-of-year bonus, and benefits. Some banks include stock shares as part of their compensation packages.
Average salary post MBA: $126,000 with signing bonuses hovering around $30,000.
→Check out Dallas Baptist University’s MBA program with a concentration in Finance
- Finance Manager
Financial managers are responsible for understanding and maintaining the financial health of an organization. Duties typically include developing strategies to achieve short- and long-term financial goals for the company, producing financial reports, and advising investments on behalf of the company.
Average salary post MBA: $114,000
→Check out Upper Iowa University’s MBA program with a concentration in Corporate Financial Management
- Operations Manager
Operations managers in almost any business are key personnel in upper-level management who make sure the company is performing to its best potential. They keep their finger on the pulse in every area within the company, assuring productivity and efficiency while seeking to reduce costs. They also manage leaders in other departments and oversee productivity in lower-level employees.
Average salary post MBA: $90,000-$150,000
→Check out North Park University’s MBA program with a concentration in Operations Management
- CIS Manager The tech industry has proven to be an ever-evolving and growing industry. And as companies grow, so do their technological needs. Most, if not all, large tech companies have an IT department that is responsible for the operations of their internal and client-facing infrastructure. These IT departments run smoothly thanks to the leadership of CIS managers. Now, it’s not enough just to be computer savvy; CIS managers need to have broader skills as well. An MBA program will develop and hone your leadership, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills.
Average salary post MBA: $90,000 *larger firms will dole out higher salaries and bonuses.
→Check out Eastern Michigan University’s MBA program with a concentration in Computer Information Systems
- Private Equity
Private Equity (PE) is one of the most lucrative sectors of the finance world. PE firms act as the liaison between wealthy investors and the companies who need capital. These firms typically hire experienced investment bankers, strategists, and finance managers. Most, if not all, of these roles are held by professionals with an MBA.
Average salary post MBA: $120,000-$300,000
→Check out the University of Miami’s MBA program with a concentration in Corporate Strategy
- Venture Capital
Venture capital is another branch of the private market landscape. Technically, VC is a type of private equity, but there are a few key differences. VC tends to be focused on younger, tech-forward companies, whereas PE goes for the more stable, fully-formed companies. VC also takes a minority stake in the companies they invest in (<50%), while PE takes majority stake (>50%). VC firms invest in startups that have the potential to start or even transform industries (think Uber and AirBnB).
Average salary post MBA: $150,000-$1,000,000
→Check out Loyola Marymount University’s MBA program with a concentration in Entrepreneurship
- Commercial Banker
Commercial bankers assist their clients with securing credit products such as term loans, credit lines, cash management services, and other fixed-income products. If you work as a credit analyst or account manager, you offer financial advice and solutions with your client’s unique needs in mind. Commercial bankers often help their clients with a range of needs, such as day-to-day banking or even starting a business!
Average salary post MBA: $95,000-$105,000
→Check out University of the Incarnate Word’s MBA program with a concentration in Asset Management
An MBA is one of the most effective tools to accelerate your career and increase your salary. If you’re thinking about getting your MBA, don’t let the pandemic stop you! Experts are even saying that now is the best time to apply to business school. No matter where you are in your MBA search or what your career goals are, Abound: MBA is here to help. We can confirm that the schools in our cohort are Accessible, Affordable, Accelerated, and Advanced. Take a look at the schools we trust and find the program that works for you.
