How much does Microsoft pay business school graduates?

TL;DR

• Microsoft is one of the top recruiters of MBA students globally, with the tech giant offering a range of career paths to talented business school graduates
• Average US Microsoft salaries range from $100K to $200K depending on the role and seniority
• However, some roles at Microsoft could exceed $200K in certain circumstances

A household name for decades with a reputation built upon pioneering technological innovation, Microsoft is today worth more than $2 trillion. Unsurprisingly, the tech giant—along with fellow trillion dollar firms Google and Amazon—is also one of the largest employers of business school grads. 

Every year, the company hires talented professionals from the likes of  Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, with roles available in everything from financial analysis to product management.

But what do these jobs pay? And what does a Microsoft salary look like for business school grads? Let’s find out.

7 of the top-earning Microsoft jobs

1. Microsoft product manager

Average salary*: $170K 

Product management is a well-trodden career path for business grads looking to launch a high-earning career in tech.

A Microsoft product manager oversees a product all the way from creation to delivery. This requires strong critical thinking, communication, and time management skills—all of which can be developed at business school. 

The average Microsoft product manager salary is $170K, with bonuses and stock options of up to $90K. However, Glassdoor figures suggest that average salaries for senior product managers could surpass $200K.

2. Microsoft program manager

Average salary: $147K 

If you’re aiming for a career in tech and value being a team player, becoming a program manager at Microsoft could be a life-changing opportunity.

Responsible for guiding both managers and their teams toward achieving critical business goals, Microsoft program managers are organized, detail-oriented, and forward-thinking. Additionally, the ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment is essential.

When recruiting for program managers, Microsoft often seeks business school graduates for their strategic insight and interpersonal skills—making it one of the best positions for b-school students considering a career in tech.

Microsoft program managers can expect an average base pay of $147K, with a median bonus of $19K. The total pay (including bonuses and stocks) can vary greatly depending on your experience and seniority, with the potential to go as high as $230K.

3. Microsoft business analyst

Average salary: $118K 

To become a business analyst at Microsoft, you’ll need a keen eye for data and a knack for problem-solving.

Microsoft business analysts are responsible for analyzing data to help develop solutions for a range of business challenges. This means that successful candidates typically have experience in tech, finance, or other data-focused fields, with an emphasis on business skillsets such as problem-solving and critical reasoning. 

The average Microsoft business analyst salary is $118K with a median bonus of $10K. Those with more experience who work their way up to more senior positions (such as a Lead Business Analyst) can earn as much as $188K.

4. Microsoft operations manager 

Average salary: $118K

If you're seeking an energetic, people-centered career, consider applying for a role as a Microsoft operations manager.

In this position you will oversee and guide a team, ensuring their safety, performance, attendance, and work quality. You'll also need to regularly collaborate with departments like quality control and human resources to coordinate and achieve business goals.

The average Microsoft operations manager salary is $118K, with a median bonus of $38K. It’s another role where salaries can fluctuate, with more experienced operations managers able to earn as much as $225K.

5. Microsoft financial analyst 

Average salary: $113K 

As a Microsoft financial analyst, you’ll work closely with other teams to identify strategies for controlling costs and boosting profitability. As such, this role demands excellent financial, organizational, and planning skills, along with technical expertise in data analysis.

The average Microsoft financial analyst salary is $113K with median bonuses and stock options of $25K—but the average salary can jump to $177K with more experience (and a promotion).

6. Microsoft strategy manager

Average salary: $184K

Becoming a Microsoft strategy manager is a little like signing up to be captain of a ship—if the ship in question was one of the world’s largest tech companies.

Responsible for shaping the long-term direction of a company, strategy managers need to be able to action organization-wide ideas under immense time pressure. As such, skills such as critical thinking, multitasking, and quick decision-making are imperative to succeed in such a role. 

The role of a Microsoft strategy manager is intense but rewarding, with an average salary of $184K and median bonus of $27K. For those with more experience, total pay could even reach $300K.

7. Microsoft director

Average salary: $245K

No one is expecting you to get hired as a Microsoft director straight out of b-school. However, since it’s a job that incorporates many of the skills you’ll learn during a business degree, it’s certainly possible to work your way up. You only have to Google “Microsoft director with MBA” to find plenty of examples of MBA graduates now working as Microsoft directors. 

Just some of the responsibilities that directors can take on include managing large teams of senior professionals, having a say in the future direction of the company, and implementing organization-wide policies. Since directors are generally expected to have a high level of impact on the company—especially at a large corporation such as Microsoft—the role shoulders a great amount of responsibility. The average Microsoft director salary is $245K and they can expect additional bonuses of $150K per year. All in, Microsoft director salaries could reach almost $500K.

*Average salaries taken from Glassdoor, US data relevant at time of publication