30 March 2006

MBA Hiring Projected to Grow by 18% in 2006

A recent survey of corporate recruiters by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) found that U.S. employers plan to hire significantly more MBAs in 2006.

On average, corporations plan to recruit 18 per cent more MBAs this year than they did in 2005. The demand for MBAs with skills in marketing and finance and those with 'soft' skills such as communication and leadership is especially high.

Recruiters also indicated that they plan recruiting trips to more business schools this year than last year. In 2005, the average number of schools visited by employers was 9. This year's survey found it will be 10.

This year's MBA grads can expect a starting base salary of just over $80,800, up from $78,040 in 2005. Total compensation packages in 2006 are expected to average $99,737.

The 2006 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey collected information on hiring plans from 1,270 recruiters representing 737 companies that hire MBAs.

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