A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate degree that will help you qualify for a wide range of high-paying careers in business management. In the United States, workers with an MBA earn an average starting salary of $125,000 — more than double the average salary of all occupations ($61,900).
Of course, it’s important to remember that not all MBA concentrations lead to the same salary. To help you get the most out of your education, we’ve reviewed the highest-paying MBA concentrations and their associated careers below.
Our Ranking Criteria
We used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create this list of the highest-paying MBA concentrations. We reviewed employment data, including median salaries, job growth potential, and the highest-paying states for different occupations. We gathered the most lucrative jobs for MBA holders and found the top programs in the country for each profession to help you start planning your education.
The Highest-Paying Jobs You Can Get With an MBA
1. Computer/Information Systems Manager
Median Salary: $164,070
What They Do: Computer and information systems managers, also known as information technology (IT) managers, help organizations maintain and improve their hardware and software systems. Their responsibilities may include assessing an organization’s IT needs, recommending upgrades, installing new hardware and software, maintaining cybersecurity, and managing the IT budget. They often direct the work of other IT professionals, including network engineers, security analysts, and help desk representatives.
How to Become One: You’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree before enrolling in an MBA program — for this career path, it’s best to earn your bachelor’s in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. This background allows you to gain a deep understanding of computer technology, and then your MBA program can teach you about concepts such as leadership, accounting, and IT project management.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 15%
- Highest-Paying States: New York, California, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington
Top Academic Programs for Computer and Information Systems Managers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
| Western Governors University | $4,755 per six-month term | 35 |
| Rivier University | $664 per credit | 36 |
| Seton Hall University | $1,465 per credit | 40 |
2. Architectural/Engineering Manager
Median Salary: $159,920
What They Do: Architectural and engineering managers oversee various activities, including the construction of new buildings and repairs and upgrades to public infrastructure. In addition to hiring, directing, and evaluating teams of architects and engineers, their work may involve drafting designs, planning budgets, and negotiating with vendors on the price of equipment and supplies.
How to Become One: This occupation typically requires an undergraduate degree in architecture or engineering and several years of experience in the field. Earning an MBA on top of these credentials will make you especially well-prepared for a management role.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 4%
- Highest-Paying States: California, New Mexico, Colorado, New Jersey, Massachusetts
Top Academic Programs for Architectural and Engineering Managers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
| University of Southern Indiana | $430 per credit | 30 |
| Henderson State University | $350 per credit | 33 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | $636 per credit | 39 – 42 |
3. Natural Sciences Manager
Median Salary: $144,440
What They Do: Natural sciences managers oversee chemistry, biology, and physics research projects. Their responsibilities include collaborating with executives to establish research goals and objectives, reviewing research methods and results, and developing reports and presentations to share their findings with others. They also hire and train scientists and technicians as needed. In addition to directing publicly funded research for government agencies, private companies often employ natural sciences managers to help create, test, and improve products. With the growing concern over the effects of climate change, there is now exceptionally high demand for managers of energy efficiency and sustainability research projects.
How to Become One: You will likely need an undergraduate STEM degree and several years of experience working as a scientist to get hired as a natural sciences manager. Also, an MBA with a concentration in managing science projects will help you access more job opportunities and earn a higher salary, especially in the private sector.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 5%
- Highest-Paying States: Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, New York, Washington
Top Academic Programs for Natural Sciences Managers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
| University of Pennsylvania | $85,370 per year | 19 |
| Northeastern University | $900 per credit | 55 |
| University of Texas at Dallas | Resident: $35,918 total, Nonresident: $65,407 total | 53 |
4. Marketing Manager
Median Salary: $140,040
What They Do: Marketing managers oversee the marketing departments for commercial and nonprofit organizations. They develop pricing strategies, identify markets for products and services, analyze competitors, and supervise the implementation of new marketing strategies. Marketing managers work closely with sales, product development, and public relations employees to develop marketing and advertising plans to help their organization maximize its profits and market share.
How to Become One: Marketing managers usually need at least a bachelor’s degree, and you will likely need a master’s to stand out from other applicants. In an MBA in marketing program, you should expect to take classes in consumer behavior, market research, and similar subjects. Most marketing managers have a background in advertising, sales, or marketing. To gain this experience, students working toward their degree often pursue marketing internships at advertising and marketing firms.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 7%
- Highest-Paying States: New York, California, New Jersey, Colorado, Delaware
Top Academic Programs for Marketing Managers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
| Emporia State University | $363 per credit | 33 |
| La Salle University | $940 per credit | 33 – 42 |
| Davenport University | $1,006 per credit | 39 |
5. Financial Manager
Median Salary: $139,790
What They Do: Financial managers work to improve and maintain the financial health of organizations. They have many responsibilities, including preparing financial statements and forecasts, analyzing financial data, ensuring legal compliance, identifying ways to cut costs, finding expansion opportunities, and helping executives make major financial decisions. Their roles are often advisory, and they must have extensive knowledge of tax laws and financial regulations. Larger organizations may divide these responsibilities between different types of financial managers, including risk managers, credit managers, and cash managers.
How to Become One: Financial managers often have a bachelor’s degree or an MBA in finance, business, or economics. They are also often required to have extensive experience (5+ years) in another financial occupation, such as accounting or financial analysis. In addition to your degree, you may consider pursuing professional certifications to build your competency as a financial manager. Standard industry certifications include the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) for financial managers who work in government and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification for investment professionals.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 16%
- Highest-Paying States: New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Colorado, California
Top Academic Programs for Financial Managers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
| University of Texas Permian Basin | Resident: $6,726 per year, Nonresident: $14,088 per year | 33 – 42 |
| La Salle University | $940 per credit | 33 – 42 |
| Stony Brook University | Resident: $625 per credit, Nonresident: $1,067 per credit | 36 – 48 |
6. Purchasing Manager
Median Salary: $131,350
What They Do: Purchasing managers are responsible for making purchases on behalf of their employers. They direct buyers and purchasing agents to find suppliers, negotiate contracts, and evaluate the quality of goods and services upon delivery. Also, purchasing managers are often tasked with writing procurement policies for their employers and investigating potential conflicts of interest between purchasing agents and suppliers.
How to Become One: An MBA with a concentration in procurement or supply chain management is the ideal education for this role. It also helps to have some direct experience working with the types of products or services you will be purchasing for your employer.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 4%
- Highest-Paying States: New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Massachusetts, Washington
Top Academic Programs for Purchasing Managers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
| West Texas A&M University | Resident: $500 per credit, Nonresident: $540 per credit | 37 – 46 |
| University of Nebraska Omaha | Resident: $7,978 per year, Nonresident: $16,860 per year | 33 |
| Rowan University | $988.70 per credit | 36 |
7. Sales Manager
Median Salary: $130,600
What They Do: Sales managers are responsible for directing sales teams and developing sales strategy. In addition to hiring, training, and evaluating the performance of sales agents, their responsibilities may include managing the sales department budget, approving travel expenses, assigning territories, and setting quotas. A background in customer service is helpful for this role, as sales managers are often tasked with resolving complaints. In larger organizations, they may advance to overseeing regional managers rather than dealing directly with agents.
How to Become One: An MBA with a concentration in sales will cover everything you need to know to succeed in this role, such as developing customer relationships, sales analytics, and leadership skills.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 4%
- Highest-Paying States: New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Colorado, Washington
Top Academic Programs for Sales Managers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
| Ohio University | Resident: $1,032 per credit, Nonresident: $1,051 per credit | 45 |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | $387.88 per credit | 33 |
| St. Cloud State University | $19,000 total | 30 |
8. Human Resources Manager
Median Salary: $130,000
What They Do: Human resources managers are responsible for planning and coordinating the administrative functions of organizations, including tasks like recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, resolving workplace disputes, advising managers on HR issues, establishing and overseeing disciplinary procedures, and coordinating teams. Human resources managers are essential in maintaining a positive and productive workplace culture. Depending on the organization’s size, they may also manage their company’s compensation and benefits programs and training programs. They may be involved in strategic planning as well.
How to Become One: To become a human resources manager, several years of work experience as a human resources specialist are needed, in addition to a bachelor’s degree or an MBA in human resources. While a bachelor’s degree will often suffice for entry-level and higher-level positions at smaller organizations, many larger organizations prioritize MBA applicants. Aspiring HR managers should also consider pursuing relevant certifications from professional associations, such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). These certifications are not typically required but verify your expertise and credibility.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 5%
- Highest-Paying States: New York, New Jersey, Washington, District of Columbia, Massachusetts
Top Academic Programs for Human Resources Managers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
| Davenport University | $1,006 per credit | 39 |
| McKendree University | $555 per credit | 36 |
| Carlow University | $675 per credit | 36 |
9. Public Relations Manager
Median Salary: $129,430
What They Do: Public relations (PR) managers help improve the reputation of their employers. They direct teams of PR specialists to write press releases, respond to media requests, hire spokespeople, book events, and help executives prepare for speeches and interviews. Their work often involves collaborating with marketing staff to develop a communications strategy and with the legal team to ensure the employer cannot be liable for inaccurate messaging.
How to Become One: While only a bachelor’s degree is usually required for this role, an MBA with a concentration in public relations or communications will help you stand out from other candidates, generate more interview callbacks, and advance to higher-paying positions. Indeed, this is the ideal degree for a PR manager position, as you’ll learn about fundamental leadership principles and key PR concepts like strategic communications and crisis management.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 6%
- Highest-Paying States: District of Columbia, New York, California, Virginia, New Jersey
Top Academic Programs for Public Relations Managers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
| University of Central Missouri | Resident: $356 per credit, Nonresident: $712 per credit | 33 |
| Liberty University | $565 per credit | 45 |
| Baylor University | $27,622 per semester | 48 |
10. Industrial Production Manager
Median Salary: $107,560
What They Do: Industrial production managers, also known as plant managers, supervise manufacturing facilities. Their responsibilities include hiring and training factory workers, finding ways to make the production process more efficient, and ensuring workers follow safety protocols. At larger facilities, they may oversee a specific aspect of production, such as quality control or inventory management, rather than running the entire plant.
How to Become One: Many employers in this field prefer hiring industrial production managers with an MBA. With a concentration in manufacturing, you’ll learn about concepts such as occupational safety, product quality assessment, and operations research.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 2%
- Highest-Paying States: New Jersey, Colorado, Delaware, New York, Wyoming
Top Academic Programs for Industrial Production Managers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
| Bethel University | $650 – $665 per credit | 42 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | $689 per credit | 30 – 33 |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University | $345 per credit | 36 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an MBA degree?
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate degree focusing primarily on business administration and management. There are over 1,000 MBA programs available in the United States, and these programs typically take about two years to finish after completing an undergraduate program.
Who should pursue an MBA degree?
Most people who pursue an MBA do so to advance their careers. MBAs are often required for professionals in business to progress into managerial roles. Not only does an MBA open up doors for advancement, but it can also significantly increase your earning potential.
That said, it’s important to remember that MBAs require a significant time commitment that can make it challenging to balance school and work. You may want to consider delaying your MBA program if you’re unsure what field to focus on.
What MBA degree pays the most?
With an average salary of $164,070, computer and information systems is the highest-paying MBA concentration. Architectural and engineering managers also have an average salary above $150,000. It’s important to consider that your salary may depend on where you work — generally, areas with a higher cost of living offer higher salaries.
How much does an MBA degree cost?
Tuition rates can vary significantly depending on the university you attend and the MBA program you choose. The programs we looked at for our list cost anywhere from $5,000 to $90,000 annually for full-time students.
Students considering an MBA should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and talk to their university’s financial aid department to learn more about their financing options.
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.