What Marketing Managers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Marketing Managers this way: "Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Develop pricing strategies, balancing firm objectives and customer satisfaction"; "Identify, develop, or evaluate marketing strategy, based on knowledge of establishment objectives, market characteristics, and cost and markup factors"; "Evaluate the financial aspects of product development, such as budgets, expenditures, research and development appropriations, or return-on-investment and profit-loss projections"; "Direct the hiring, training, or performance evaluations of marketing or sales staff and oversee their daily activities"; "Negotiate contracts with vendors or distributors to manage product distribution, establishing distribution networks or developing distribution strategies".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically 5 years or more.
Job outlook for Marketing Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 421,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 450,800 in 2035, an increase of 29,200 jobs (+6.9%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 34,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 5.3% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $166,790, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Marketing Managers earn the most
Across the 14 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $150,979 in Texas to $211,179 in Massachusetts, a gap of $60,201 (1.40 times). 9 of those 14 states average above the BLS national median of $166,790 and 5 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 65,150, which is 18.1% of the 358,990 counted across them. New York follows with 60,920.
Highest-paying states
Massachusetts ($211,179), New Hampshire ($211,161) and California ($190,665) lead the ranking, while Texas ($150,979) and Pennsylvania ($152,317) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Marketing Managers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 18 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Rockingham County, NH (Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH) at $130,068. The smallest margin is $78,127 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 18 of the 18 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 9.9% and 24.7% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Marketing Managers
Sales Managers belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-2000) include Public Relations Managers.
Frequently asked questions about Marketing Managers
How much do Marketing Managers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $166,790. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $150,979 to $211,179.
Which state pays Marketing Managers the most?
Massachusetts, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $211,179. New Hampshire is next at $211,161.
Is Marketing Managers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 6.9% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 34,000 openings a year.
What education do Marketing Managers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of 5 years or more, according to BLS.
Where can Marketing Managers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Rockingham County, NH leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $130,068 on a median wage of $213,910.