MBA Hiring Up by 18% in 2006, GMAC Survey Finds

The Graduate Management Admission Council's 2006 Corporate Recruiters Survey is out -- and it's full of good news for MBA students and prospects.

The survey found that:

• Companies plan to increase MBA hiring by 18% in 2006
• MBAs with finance and marketing skills are especially sought-after, as are those with 'soft' skills (communication, team building, leadership, etc.)
• Companies plan recruiting trips to an average of 10 b-schools this year, compared to 9 last year
• 2006 MBA grads can expect an average base starting salary of $80,809 and a total compensation package averaging $99,737. By comparison, the average base salary for 2005 was $78,040, and the 2004 figure was $77,066.

The GMAC has conducted an annual survey of recruiters for companies that hire MBAs since 2002. This year's survey polled 1,270 recruiters from 737 companies.