Online MBA Careers
Career Growth Is On The Horizon.
You chose an MBA to make moves. To advance in your current role—or qualify for a completely new one.
An MBA is a solid credential for career growth. It’s also a confidence builder. One that helps build your credibility, expand your professional network, and positions you for higher-level jobs and greater earning potential.
Discover the many sectors of the business world where an MBA from Washington State University can help you thrive.
Benefit from WSU’s Career Consulting
As an Online MBA student at WSU, you’ll have access to a career and personal brand consultant who can help you identify and attain your next opportunity.
Considering a Career Change?
WSU’s Online MBA program welcomes students from all professional backgrounds and undergraduate majors. Our program can set you up for success through a comprehensive curriculum taught by industry experts, dedicated student support, and access to a career consultant.
Explore MBA Career Opportunities
As an MBA grad, you can work in nearly any industry: marketing, finance, international business, or travel and tourism, just to name a few.
MBA Careers in Marketing
Earning your MBA in Marketing can give you a serious edge over the competition—and position you for high-paying, highly sought-after jobs. Discover a few of the career moves you can make as a marketer with an advanced degree.
- Develop high-level organizational policy and build a capable staff through recruitment and training. Marketing directors use advanced knowledge of their competitors and industry climate to formulate big-picture operational strategy.
- The average salary for a Marketing Director in the U.S. was $187,609 per year as of May 2024 per Salary.com. The salary range generally falls between $167,187 and $211,527.
- The BLS predicts that employment of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032.
- Use your advanced business knowledge to build lasting business relationships from the ground up. Business development managers choose which potential business partners to target and negotiate terms of those new partnerships.
- The average salary for a Business Development Manager in the U.S. was $140,129 per year as of May 2024 per Salary.com. The salary range generally falls between $127,986 to $167,083.
- The BLS predicts that employment of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032.
- Shape strategy and set pricing for marketing departments or organizations. The marketing manager is responsible for building an effective balance of profit, product, and customer/client satisfaction.
- The average salary for a Marketing Manager in the U.S. was $120,109 per year as of May 2024 per Salary.com. The salary range generally falls between $105,206 and $137,447.
- The BLS predicts that employment of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032.
Additional examples of job titles for MBA grads with a marketing concentration include:
- Market Research Analyst
- Campaign Manager
- Creative Director
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Sales Manager
- Marketing Operations Director
MBA Careers in Finance
Careers in the financial services industry often deliver attractive salaries, bonus structures, and the opportunity for advancement. Take a moment to explore some of the top jobs in the world of finance.
- CFOs dictate the direction of organizations by implementing operational guidelines and overarching policy. A CFO is also responsible for coordinating budgets and choosing departmental leaders to carry out his or her policies.
- The average salary for a CFO in the U.S. was $399,062 per year as of May 2024 per Salary.com. In addition to the attractive salary, CFOs may also be compensated in other ways, such as stock options and bonuses.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that overall employment for top executives, which includes the CFO, is projected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032.
- Manage financial operations among your organization’s employees and assist in recruiting. Finance directors are also responsible for building business relationships, as well as budgetary analysis and operational reporting.
- The average salary for a Finance Director in the United States is $197,647 as of May 2024 per Salary.com.
- Employment of financial managers is projected to grow 16% from 2022 to 2032 (much faster than the average for all occupations), according to the BLS.
- Analyze programs and synthesize industry information to inform successful investment plans. Senior financial analysts draw on extensive research and field expertise to guide major organizational decisions.
- The average salary for a Senior Financial Analyst in the U.S. was $80,708 per year as of May 2024 per Salary.com. The salary range generally falls between $73,199 and $90,023.
- The BLS predicts that employment of financial analysts is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032.
Additional examples of job titles for MBA grads with a finance concentration include:
- Corporate Controllers
- Treasurers and Finance Officers
- Portfolio Managers
- Risk and Insurance Managers
MBA Careers in International Business
Organizations worldwide are in search of MBA grads who have an in-depth understanding of international trade, industrial development, cross-border investments, and global business operations.
Explore some of the career opportunities that await you with an MBA in international business.
- Develop and implement global sales plans and oversee regional management to ensure they’re carried out effectively. Sales directors are responsible for the high-level coordination and measurement of sales initiatives.
- The average salary for a Sales Director in the U.S. was $203,867 per year as of May 2024 per Salary.com. The salary range generally falls between $177,853 and $233,620.
- The BLS predicts that employment of sales managers is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032.
- Oversee personnel, policy, and day-to-day operations for international business initiatives. Operations directors manage all resources, including staff and budget, to maximize profit and achieve organizational success.
- The average salary for an Operations Director in the U.S. was $193,117 per year as of May 2024 per Salary.com. The salary range generally falls between $182,590 and $204,486.
- The BLS predicts that employment of general and operations managers is projected to grow 9% from 2022 to 2032.
- Take stock of existing practices and procedures to drive efficiency and improve the bottom line. Management consultants, also known as management analysts, advise managers on how to boost profitability.
- The average salary for a Senior Management Consultant (or Analyst) in the U.S. was $120,178 per year as of May 2024 per Salary.com. The salary range generally falls between $105,725 and $134,564.
- The BLS predicts that employment of management analysts is projected to grow 10% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Additional examples of job titles for MBA grads with a concentration in international business include:
- Communications Officer
- Global Business Administrator
- International Business Analyst
- Humanitarian Program Manager
- International Sales Director
General MBA Careers
Earning your MBA is an important step in your career as a business leader. It’s a credential that reflects your ambition and ability. More than that, it’s often the preferred level of education for leading employers.
Here are potential paths you could take:
- Human Resources Manager | Salary Range*: $106,695 – $135,105 | Job Growth**: 5%
- Public Relations Manager | Salary Range*: $107,202 – $140,562 | Job Growth**: 6%
- Fundraising Manager | Salary Range*: $98,428 – $129,675 | Job Growth**: 6%
- Investment Banker | Salary Range*: $101,695 – $132,963 | Job Growth**: 7
*Average 2024 annual salary data from Salary.com
**Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Job Outlook 2022-2032)
