If you’re considering or pursuing a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree, the investment could be well worth it. An MBA is one of the best-paid graduate degrees you can receive. The national average MBA graduate salary is around $83,209, but many MBA-related jobs have a much higher average. How much an MBA graduate earns depends on factors like where they live, where they graduated from and what kind of industry they work in.

The average salary for an MBA graduate

The average salary for an MBA graduate is $83,209 nationwide, according to ZipRecruiter. However, that average varies significantly depending on the state you live in and the job you do.

MBA salaries by state

Location plays a big role in how much you can expect to earn. ZipRecruiter data shows that the following states have the highest average salaries for MBA graduates:

  • Washington: $95,790.
  • New York: $90,108.
  • Idaho: $87,306.
  • California: $85,496.
  • New Hampshire: $83,648

On the other hand, the following states have the lowest average salaries:

  • Missouri: $65,660
  • Florida: $64,957.
  • Georgia: $63,447.
  • Louisiana: $61,155.
  • North Carolina: $58,329.

Highest-paying jobs for MBA graduates

There are a variety of jobs that MBA graduates are qualified for, and the salary range can vary greatly depending on the industry.

PayScale reports the following average salaries for some of the highest-paying MBA jobs:

  • Chief Executive Officer: $192,511.
  • Chief Operating Officer: $169,729.
  • Chief Financial Officer: $157,639.
  • Information Technology Director: $141,123.
  • Senior Product Manager: $131,724.
  • Finance Director: $129,288.

Is an MBA worth it?

Earning an MBA can be an expensive undertaking; many graduates leave school with tens of thousands of dollars in debt, and most degree programs last two years. That’s a significant time and monetary investment, especially considering that you may not be able to work while enrolled.

With that said, data shows that having an MBA degree sets you up for significantly higher salaries. A Graduate Management Admission Council report shows that median salaries for MBA graduates was $115,000 in 2021, compared to $65,000 for bachelor’s degree recipients.

Whether an MBA is worth it depends on your career aspirations and how much debt you’ll incur for your program. Before applying, research the school’s rankings, post-graduation employment rate and average student debt load. Then weigh the total cost against the expected salary for your location and desired career path.

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