Brand Manager Salary in 2026
Brand managers oversee the strategy and marketing of specific brands, ensuring consistent messaging and market positioning. They drive brand awareness, loyalty, and revenue growth.
Median Salary
$97,000
$8,083/mo
Entry Level
$63,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$140,000
experienced
Job Growth
+8%
10-yr outlook
Brand Manager Overview
Brand managers oversee the strategy and marketing of specific brands, ensuring consistent messaging and market positioning. They drive brand awareness, loyalty, and revenue growth.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
3-6 years
Industry
Marketing
Total Jobs (US)
120K
5-Year Growth
+16%
Category
Marketing
Hourly Rate
$46.63/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,083
Brand Manager Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Brand Manager salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Brand Manager Salary
$114,000
$9,500/month · $4,385/biweekly · $54.81/hr
Brand Manager Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Brand Manager field.
Entry-level Brand Managers earn around $63,000, while the top 10% earn $159,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Brand Managers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $114,000 | +$17,000 |
| New York | $112,000 | +$15,000 |
| New Jersey | $107,000 | +$10,000 |
| Illinois | $101,000 | +$4,000 |
| Ohio | $92,000 | $-5,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Brand Managers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $121,000 | +$24,000 |
| New York | $114,000 | +$17,000 |
| Newark | $105,000 | +$8,000 |
| Chicago | $102,000 | +$5,000 |
| Cincinnati | $92,000 | $-5,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Brand Manager Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Brand Manager from entry level to expert.
$63,000
0-2 years
$102,000
3-7 years
$140,000
8-14 years
$179,000
15+ years
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Brand Manager Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Brand Manager Salary
How we calculate Brand Manager salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $97,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Brand Manager in the Marketing sector.
- Entry-level ($63,000) and senior-level ($140,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +8% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 120K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 16% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Marketing sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $97,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Brand Manager compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Brand Manager job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Marketing
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Brand Manager salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Brand Strategy, Market Research, Creative Direction), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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