MBA Gender Trends: Jobs

Male and female MBA applicants have very different expectations in terms of post-MBA salary increases. Despite the fact that a the average pre-MBA salary for a man ($36,000) is only slightly higher than that of a woman ($33,000), men expect to make an average of $102,000 after they get their MBA -- an 82% salary increase. On average, women expect to make $79,000 -- a salary increase of only 35%.

Why are salary expectations so different between men and women? The reasons for the difference in expectations are outside of the scope of the Applicant Survey, but some speculations have been made. Women may be more willing to take a lower-paid job in exchange for a better work-life balance. Female MBA applicants also may be more likely to consider jobs which give them the flexibility to start a family. Given what MBAs make after graduation, however, it may just be that women have more realistic salary expectations than men.

Job Preferences

Consulting and finance are the top two career options for both genders, however, the picture changes after that to reflect the research that women are more likely to seek job roles that offer a better work life balance. Consumer goods, media and public relations jobs are more popular among female survey respondents than the technology, utility and manufacturing jobs preferred by their male counterparts.

• For more insights into the differences between male and female MBA applicants, check out the latest QS MBA Applicant Survey as well as further research from QS.