How much does a marketing manager make?
a year · about $80 an hour
A typical marketing manager in the United States makes $166,790 a year, about $80 an hour, about 3.3× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They review customer research and sales forecasts, then meet with product, sales, and public-relations teams to plan how to reach buyers. They also check campaign designs, budgets, and results.
Did you know? Surprisingly, 84% of surveyed US marketing managers say their usual workweek is longer than 40 hours.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $90,260 and $293,610How do you become one?
In the US, most people earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or communications, then gain experience in sales, market research, public relations, or another related job. This is usually a step-up career after college, not a first job.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with a manager’s related experience and with the employer’s industry and location. Marketing leaders also work in specialties such as brand or product marketing, so their roles can differ.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($212,020), lowest in Mississippi ($100,940).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $90,260 | $166,790 | $293,610 | about 395,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $212,020 | about 14,000 |
| California | $193,620 | about 55,000 |
| Virginia | $187,820 | about 7,000 |
| Colorado | $182,730 | about 6,000 |
| New York | $181,200 | about 54,000 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11-2021.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY