What is the average salary of an MBA?

What is the average salary for an MBA graduate at an entry level job?

• Statistics say the average hovers around $50,000 a year. However, when searching for jobs, I have the feeling that $45,000 starting salary is one of the "well-paying" jobs.

• Answer:

  There is a quote attributed to Mark Twain that says "There are lies, damned lies and statistics."The problem with an average is that the range of the data and other factors in determining the number (salary in this case) can vary tremendously.For example, depending upon which survey or data set you are considering, $50K may be the statistical average. But the individuals in the survey could include MBA graduates with 15 years of industry experience going back to a $500K job in corporate America.  I received my MBA about eight years into my professional career and I'm sure I would have skewed salary data to the upside.On the other extreme,  MBA grads may have difficulty getting a professional job and settle for some entry position to get their foot in the door. If someone goes straight from a bachelor's degree and gets an MBA with little or no experience, employers may pay them $30-40K. Other factors affecting starting salary would include the sub-discipline for the MBA (e.g., finance vs. marketing vs. logistics management) and the subsequent jobs the grads would get the quality of the school (an MBA from the Wharton school is going to demand a higher salary than one from Podunk State University) the experience of the individual (did she do several strong internships? any full-time employment? other credentials?) Your last comment is "I have the feeling that $45,000 starting salary is one of the "well-paying" jobs."" Well, I don't trust statistics in isolation (i.e., without considering other mitigating factors). I certainly wouldn't trust a "feeling" as being any more reliable than published statistics.