What can you do with an online MBA?

An MBA can qualify you for managerial and executive-track business roles. Research some of the jobs you can get with an MBA and connect with flexible opportunities to earn your degree.

By: James M. Tobin , Edited by: Rebecca Munday

Last updated: October 2, 2025

The master of business administration (MBA) has long functioned as a gateway credential that opens access to advanced managerial careers. Online MBA programs can be a convenient and flexible alternative to campus-based courses, making them ideal for career-changers and busy professionals who want to advance.

Discover roles you can pursue with an MBA, job growth outlooks, and salary ranges.

What industries hire MBA graduates?

MBA programs teach versatile, transferable business management and analysis skills. However, MBA education has become more specialized in recent years. Business schools often offer specific concentration tracks and dual-degree programs leading to niche careers. A growing number of MBA programs also have no GMAT requirement.

With a standalone MBA, you can target roles in:

Business operations and management
Consulting
E-commerce and retail
Finance
Marketing

Dual-degree programs combine an MBA with a second graduate credential, such as a master of health administration, master of public administration, or Juris Doctor (JD) degree. These programs can help you access careers in:

Corporate law
Government and public policy
Hospital and healthcare administration
Venture capital

Experience can also affect your access to job opportunities in particular industries or work settings. In some cases, prior work experience can serve as a functional substitute for a dual degree.

What jobs can you get with an online MBA?

Below, see jobs you can pursue with an online MBA, including salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Operations research analyst

Operations research analysts seek to optimize the efficiency of business operations. The role requires a combination of functional business knowledge, mathematical modeling, and statistical analysis, which you can acquire in a general or concentrated MBA program.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $91,290
Projected job growth (2024–34): +21%

Financial analyst

Financial analysts examine both internal and external financial data to monitor and evaluate organizational financial health and identify risks and opportunities. MBA programs — especially those with finance concentrations — emphasize these analytical proficiencies.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $101,910
Projected job growth (2024–34): +6%

Human resources manager

Human resources managers hold leadership roles, functioning as liaisons between a company's management and its employees. An MBA program can help you develop the business acumen, compliance knowledge, and strategic insights needed to excel in the role.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $140,030
Projected job growth (2024–34): +5%

Market research analyst

Market researchers analyze commercial trends and factors that guide consumer preferences and purchasing decisions. MBA programs build the quantitative analysis skills and marketing insights required for the position.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $76,950
Projected job growth (2024–34): +7%

Project management specialists

Working under program or project managers, project management specialists play a frontline role in designing and executing goal-oriented organizational initiatives. They draw on the resource allocation and strategic management proficiencies taught in MBA programs.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $100,750

Projected job growth (2024–34): +6%

Training and development manager

Training and development managers devise, implement, and evaluate specialized workforce development programs designed to help businesses meet their strategic objectives. They benefit from the operational knowledge, strategic analysis, and leadership proficiencies that MBA programs help build.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $127,090

Projected job growth (2024–34): +6%

Industrial production manager

Industrial production managers primarily work in manufacturing. They use a combination of resource management, scheduling, and logistical skills to ensure product quality while optimizing operational reliability and efficiency.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $121,440

Projected job growth (2024–34): +2%

Top executives

Top executives include the "C-suite," the highest-level executives at an organization with the term "chief" in their job titles. Examples include chief executive officers, chief operating officers, and chief financial officers. Many C-suite professionals hold MBA degrees and have years of role-specific experience.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $105,350

Projected job growth (2024–34): +4%

How much do MBA graduates make?

According to the 2024 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Corporate Recruiters Survey, MBA graduates earned an average starting salary of $120,000 per year in 2024. You can use this figure to guide your salary expectations, while keeping in mind that many other factors can impact the job offers you get.

Key examples include:

Location: Employers often pay more in areas with higher living costs and in areas where supply-and-demand dynamics favor MBA holders.
Industry: Consulting, finance, technology, entertainment, and healthcare are noted for their relatively high pay rates.
School prestige: You may command a premium if you graduate from an elite business school.

To learn more, consult this resource on the value of an MBA degree. Also, compare traditional full-time MBAs with executive MBA programs, as they may have different entry requirements and career outcomes.

Are MBA degree holders in high demand?

Management professionals — including MBA graduates — are likely to remain in high demand in the coming years. The BLS projects that management occupations will grow faster than average over the next decade and expects about 1.1 million annual openings in this field.

Employers in virtually all industries hire MBA graduates. Examples of common sectors include manufacturing, technology, healthcare, finance, energy, and consulting.

Projected growth rates and annual job openings vary among specific management occupations. The type of MBA you choose and the proficiencies your program aims to develop may also affect your employability. According to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, graduates of skills-focused MBA programs with customizable curricula best meet employer needs.

Frequently asked questions about jobs you can get with an MBA

Which MBA job has the highest salary?

Chief executives often earn the highest salaries at their organizations, and these professionals often have MBA degrees. The BLS reports that top executives made a median annual salary of $105,350 as of May 2024.

What can I do with an MBA?

MBA graduates often work in private industry, mainly in managerial roles with advancement potential. The exact career paths available to you will depend on your knowledge, professional experience, and whether you get a general or concentrated MBA degree.

How much money does an MBA make?

According GMAC, MBA graduates earned an average salary of $120,000 per year in 2024. Pay rates can vary widely by role, industry, location, specialization, and experience. In general, you can expect your salary to increase as your career progresses.

Why are MBAs struggling to find jobs?

The post-pandemic job market has been widely described as one of the toughest in a generation, and more people than ever hold MBA degrees. These factors can impact your job search success, and they point to the increasing importance of distinguishing yourself from other grads with a specialization and experience.