Online Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs have seen a recent surge in enrollment. The growth of these programs is rooted in various factors like the flexibility they offer working professionals and the potential for sizable and rapid return on investment. The online program model is also inherently resilient to disruptions in learning environment continuity like those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With so many options to choose from, it can help to have an idea of what type of career you would like to pursue. Here are five jobs you can land with an online MBA with a Concentration in Marketing from a quality, AACSB-accredited school like the Soules College of Business at the University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler).
1. Media Planner
All About Careers explains that the main responsibility of media planners is to maximize “returns on advertising and promotional activities across different media channels.” Media planners monitor multiple media streams, analyzing reach and impact to bring new customers to businesses, or even to an industry altogether. The role of media planners proved essential in helping businesses pivot marketing and customer communications during the COVID-19 pandemic. In turn, the pandemic reshaped media planning as field — in addition to most every other marketing function — to be more oriented on the consumer’s needs and intent.
According to September 2022 data from ZipRecruiter, the average pay for senior media planners is $69,949 per year, although top earners can make upwards of $85,000 annually.
2. Sales Manager
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median salary of sales managers in 2021 was $127,490 per year. While this position requires only a bachelor’s degree at the entry level, a marketing MBA can help sales managers pursue higher-level positions and command higher salaries. A sales manager’s duties vary based upon the size of their employer and industry focus. Typically, a sales manager oversees an organization’s sales team, guiding the day-to-day interactions between customers, sales representatives and a company.
3. Brand Manager
At the entry-level, this job also requires only a bachelor’s degree, but a marketing MBA can give applicants an advantage. According to talent solutions firm LHH, “Brand managers are responsible for ensuring that the products, services and product lines that fall under their domain resonate with current and potential customers.” The positive brand awareness, reputation and image that brand managers foster can be especially important when addressing the unique challenges of marketing services (as opposed to product marketing). As of September 2022, ZipRecruiter reports the average salary of brand managers to be $80,525.
4. Market Research Analyst
Although median pay in this career track is on the lower end of the salary scale for marketing MBA graduates, projected job growth for this position earns it a spot on the list. According to BLS, “Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service.” The median salary of market research analysts in 2021 was $63,920. However, employment in this profession is expected to grow 19% between 2021 and 2031 — well above the national average for all other occupations. The top 10% of earners in this profession command annual salaries of more than $128,320.
5. Marketing Manager
One of the most common tracks for marketing MBA graduates is marketing management. As advertising, promotions and marketing managers, marketing MBA graduates can expect a median salary of $133,380 per year, according to 2021 BLS data. The essential duties of marketing managers are “to generate interest in products or services.” To this end, they work with department heads to set budgets, initiate market studies and plan promotional campaigns. Marketing managers play an essential role in organizational success across industries, from retail to tech, manufacturing to healthcare.
With a variety of career paths to choose from, professionals with an MBA in marketing can expect higher than average salaries and steady job growth over the next several years. These factors, along with favorable working conditions and robust benefits packages, can make earning a marketing MBA a sound choice.
Learn about the UT Tyler online MBA with a Concentration in Marketing program.