Top Jobs for MBAs Who Specialize in Marketing

Top Careers for MBA Graduates

May 22, 2019

Blog Updated on January 6, 2026.

Choosing an MBA specialization adds targeted expertise to a program’s core business curriculum, letting students dive deeper into areas such as finance, marketing, health care management, and technology leadership. Specializations help students focus on what they’re passionate about and build skills that employers value — skills that can translate into strong careers for MBA graduates.

The median salary for MBA graduates was approximately $101,000 as of November 2025, according to Payscale, significantly higher than salaries for many bachelor’s degree holders. Employers continue to hire MBA talent at stable or increasing rates.

Among the many specializations offered today, marketing, finance, and business analytics remain some of the most popular and potentially lucrative. The opportunities span numerous industries, from technology and health care to energy, retail, and media.

Explore some of the most in-demand roles for MBA graduates with specializations, with the most recent salary data available. This list is far from exhaustive, but it offers a clear sense of the career potential available to professionals with advanced education and business expertise.

What Jobs Are Available to MBA Marketing Specialization Graduates?

An MBA with a marketing specialization opens the door to a wide range of leadership- and strategy-focused roles across industries. Graduates are well positioned for high-impact careers that blend data-driven decision-making, creative strategy, and business leadership.

1. Business Development Executive

These executives are more sales-focused than some of their marketing peers and are responsible for attracting new clients to a business. Business development executives find prospective clients, pitch products and services, and keep current customers happy. Their strengths include identifying growth opportunities and using deep marketing skills to put strategic growth plans into action.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, November 2025): ~$95,600

2. Chief Marketing Officer

This executive-level role is one of the most senior careers marketing professionals can pursue. Chief marketing officers (CMOs) oversee a company’s marketing plan; develop marketing, branding, and advertising strategies; shape future marketing goals; and supervise the marketing staff. The end goal: generate revenue for a company by efficiently promoting its products and services.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, December 2025): ~$189,400

3. Market Research Manager

A great marketing campaign usually has an excellent market research manager working behind the scenes. These professionals are responsible for helping leaders determine measurable goals and techniques for marketing campaigns. They gather data and research that can help marketers execute effective campaigns. This role tends to be more analytical than other marketing positions, and ideal candidates usually have sharp marketing, data analysis, and business skills.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, September 2025): ~$92,460

4. Product Marketing Manager

These professionals work closely with product managers. But while it’s a product manager’s job to determine strategy for a specific product, the product marketing manager focuses on how that product should be marketed. They conduct market research and competitive analysis studies, help create content marketing plans, and define and establish positioning strategies for the product. Their goal isn’t to create or develop the product, but to use marketing insights to figure out the very best way to promote it.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, November 2025): ~$104,350

5. Chief Communications Officer

This executive is typically the gatekeeper of a brand’s voice — in charge of setting the guidelines for all of a company’s internal and external communications. They handle everything from creating marketing campaigns and communications strategies to developing internal brand initiatives and serving as spokesperson for a CEO. While this role may feel more aligned with the public relations or communications field rather than marketing, those with an MBA in marketing have found success. Chief communications officers (CCOs) typically move into this role from leadership roles in public relations, communications, sales, and marketing.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, October 2025): ~$157,100

6. Senior Market Research Analyst

A market research analyst’s main goal is to study the current state of the market to determine how a product or service might perform. They forecast trends, measure the effectiveness of company marketing campaigns, collect and analyze data, and present all of these findings to key company stakeholders. An ideal senior market research analyst has a solid background in marketing, statistics, and computer science. They’re critical thinkers with an analytical frame of mind, but they’ve got a creative flair too.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, February 2025): ~$83,960

7. Executive Creative Director

These executives curate a company or brand’s creative vision, including design elements, marketing voice, and overall approach. They also ensure that marketing materials — from print ads to social media videos — share a cohesive look and feel. While they often have a background in arts or communication, a marketing MBA helps them develop campaigns that capture audiences.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, September 2025): ~$193,040

What Jobs Are Available to MBA Finance Specialization Graduates?

An MBA with a finance specialization prepares graduates for advanced roles that focus on financial strategy, investment analysis, and organizational decision-making. These careers for MBA graduates are critical to guiding business growth, managing risk, and ensuring long-term financial performance across industries.

1. Chief Financial Officer

Chief financial officers (CFOs) are senior executives responsible for overseeing an organization’s financial strategy and performance. CFOs manage budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, risk management, and long-term financial planning while advising the CEO and executive team on major business decisions. Their primary objective is to ensure financial stability and support sustainable growth.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, December 2025): ~$153,710

2. Financial Manager

Financial managers oversee the financial health of an organization by directing investment activities, developing financial strategies, and producing reports that guide executive decision-making. They analyze market trends, manage cash flow, and ensure compliance with financial regulations to help organizations meet their financial goals.

Median Annual Salary (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024): $161,700

3. Investment Manager

Investment managers, sometimes called portfolio managers, oversee investment portfolios on behalf of individuals or institutions. They analyze market conditions, evaluate investment opportunities, and make strategic decisions to maximize returns while managing risk.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, November 2025): ~$124,280

4. Financial Controller

Financial controllers oversee an organization’s accounting operations, including financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance. They play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy of financial statements and supporting strategic planning through detailed financial analysis.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, November 2025): ~98,700

5. Senior Financial Analyst

Senior financial analysts evaluate financial data to support business planning and investment decisions. They create financial models, assess performance metrics, and provide insights that help organizations improve profitability and allocate resources effectively.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, November 2025): ~$90,460

What Jobs Are Available to MBA Business Analytics Specialization Graduates?

An MBA degree with a business analytics specialization equips graduates to turn complex data into actionable business insights. These careers for MBA graduates combine strategic thinking with analytical expertise to support smarter decision-making and drive organizational performance.

1. Business Analytics Director

This leadership role focuses on overseeing an organization’s analytics strategy and ensuring that data is used effectively to drive business decisions. Business analytics directors manage analytics teams, align data initiatives with organizational goals, and translate complex insights into actionable strategies for executive leadership.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, October 2025): ~$135,250

2. Business Intelligence Manager

Business intelligence managers lead efforts to collect, analyze, and visualize data that supports strategic planning. They oversee dashboards, reporting systems, and analytics tools that help organizations identify trends, improve efficiency, and make data-driven decisions.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, November 2025): ~$114,380

3. Analytics Manager

Analytics managers supervise teams of analysts responsible for transforming raw data into meaningful insights. They develop analytical frameworks, ensure data accuracy, and collaborate with stakeholders across departments to support performance improvement and strategic initiatives.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, December 2025): ~$109,480

4. Senior Business Analyst

Senior business analysts evaluate business processes and data to identify opportunities for growth and efficiency. They work closely with leadership teams to interpret analytics, recommend solutions, and support organizational decision-making.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, November 2025): ~$94,000

5. Analytics Consultant

Analytics consultants help organizations leverage data to solve complex business problems. They assess data systems, develop predictive models, and provide strategic recommendations that improve operations, customer experience, and overall performance.

Median Annual Salary (Payscale, October 2025): ~$93,000

Three Concentrations, One Powerful MBA

St. Bonaventure University’s online MBA program is designed to help professionals advance into various careers for MBA graduates. With concentrations in marketing, finance, and business analytics, students can align their education with their career goals and build a strong foundation in core business principles.

The marketing concentration prepares professionals to lead brand strategy, market research, consumer insights, and global marketing initiatives. Coursework emphasizes strategic thinking and leadership skills essential for executive-level marketing roles.

The finance concentration is for those pursuing careers in financial leadership, investment strategy, and organizational planning. Students gain advanced financial knowledge that supports high-level decision-making and long-term business growth.

For professionals focused on data-driven leadership, the business analytics concentration develops the skills needed to transform data into strategic insight. Graduates are prepared to guide organizations using analytics, forecasting, and performance measurement.

All concentrations are delivered in a flexible online format, allowing students to continue working full time while earning their degree. SBU’s online MBA is ranked among the top 5 percent of business schools worldwide by AACSB, ensuring that students receive a high-quality, globally respected education.

Take the next step in your business career with SBU.

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