Marketing Managers
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.
Is marketing managers a good career?
It scores 44/100 and ranks #51 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($166,790 vs $61,390)
- High volume of openings — about 34,300 a year
Possible tradeoffs
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
- Often needs prior experience (5 years or more)
What marketing managers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. marketing managers earn between $123,020 and $216,410 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live marketing managers jobs
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow faster than average through 2034.
Education
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in a business field, such as marketing, or in a related field, such as communications. Relevant courses might include consumer behavior, market research, and art history.
Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree.
Advertising and marketing managers may begin as trainees or participate in mentoring or shadowing opportunities. In addition, completing an internship while in school may make candidates more attractive to prospective employers.
Important qualities
Analytical skills. Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to evaluate industry trends and determine the best strategies for their clients.
Communication skills. These workers must be able to collaborate with other managers and staff. They also must be persuasive in communicating with the public.
Creativity. Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to generate new and imaginative ideas.
Decision-making skills. These workers often must choose between competing advertising and marketing strategies put forward by staff.
Interpersonal skills. Managers must deal with a range of people and personalities in different roles, both inside and outside their organization.
Organizational skills. Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must manage their time and budget efficiently while directing and motivating staff.
Related occupations
How much do marketing managers make?
The national median wage is $166,790 a year, with the middle half earning between $123,020 and $216,410 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is marketing managers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 44 of 100 and ranks #51 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +6.6% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a marketing manager?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, usually with 5 years or more.
Where do marketing managers earn the most?
Among states, Massachusetts pays the highest median ($212,020). Local pay for every state and metro is below.