Marketing Manager Salary in 2026
Marketing managers plan and execute marketing campaigns, manage budgets, and analyze campaign performance. They develop brand strategies and coordinate cross-channel marketing efforts.
Median Salary
$166,790
$13,899/mo
Entry Level
$98,900
starting pay
Senior Level
$225,800
experienced
Job Growth
+10%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Marketing Managers (SOC 11-2021) at a national median of $166,790 per year (mean $177,770), or $80.19 per hour, with 395,240 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Marketing Manager Overview
Marketing managers plan and execute marketing campaigns, manage budgets, and analyze campaign performance. They develop brand strategies and coordinate cross-channel marketing efforts.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
5-8 years
Industry
Marketing
Total Jobs (US)
395K
5-Year Growth
+19%
Category
Marketing
Hourly Rate
$80.19/hr
Monthly Pay
$13,899
Reviewed May 18, 2026
2026 Marketing Manager Salary Market Notes
Market context
Marketing manager compensation depends on whether the job owns brand, demand generation, lifecycle, product marketing, performance media, content, field marketing, or growth. Roles tied directly to pipeline, CAC, retention, or pricing usually command higher pay than campaign-only roles.
What drives higher pay
The strongest salary drivers are budget ownership, attribution, experimentation, SEO/SEM, lifecycle automation, analytics, product positioning, team leadership, agency management, and evidence that campaigns moved revenue or qualified pipeline.
Location note
New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Austin show different pay patterns: media and brand roles cluster in major media markets, while SaaS and product-marketing roles price higher in tech-heavy cities.
Career move
A practical salary move is to build a metric portfolio: pipeline sourced, CAC reduction, conversion lift, retention improvement, paid efficiency, organic traffic growth, or launch revenue. Hiring teams pay more for marketers who connect creative work to business outcomes.
Use BLS Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers as the baseline, then compare against current postings by specialization because product marketing, growth, brand, and demand generation can price differently.
Marketing Manager Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Marketing Manager salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Marketing Manager Salary
$183,000
$15,250/month · $7,038/biweekly · $87.98/hr
Marketing Manager Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Marketing Manager field.
Entry-level Marketing Managers earn around $98,900, while the top 10% earn $252,400 or more.
Top Paying States for Marketing Managers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $197,000 | +$30,210 |
| New York | $192,000 | +$25,210 |
| Massachusetts | $187,000 | +$20,210 |
| Illinois | $173,000 | +$6,210 |
| Texas | $163,000 | $-3,790 |
Top Paying Cities for Marketing Managers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San FranciscoBLS metro | $220,480 | +$53,690 |
| BostonBLS metro | $213,910 | +$47,120 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $192,840 | +$26,050 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $165,340 | $-1,450 |
| DallasBLS metro | $155,460 | $-11,330 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Marketing Managers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Marketing Manager Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Marketing Manager from entry level to expert.
$98,900
0-2 years
$162,000
3-7 years
$225,800
8-14 years
$279,000
15+ years
Related Marketing Jobs
Digital Marketing Specialist
SEO Specialist
Social Media Manager
Public Relations Specialist
Content Marketing Manager
Brand Manager
Growth Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager Salary FAQ
How much does a Marketing Manager make in 2026?
The median salary for a Marketing Manager in the United States is $166,790 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Marketing Managers (SOC 11-2021); the mean is $177,770. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $98,900, senior professionals around $225,800, and top earners at $279,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Marketing Manager?
A Marketing Manager typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 5-8 years of experience. Key skills include Campaign Strategy, SEO/SEM, Analytics. Relevant certifications such as Google Analytics or HubSpot Marketing can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Marketing Managers?
The job market for Marketing Managers is projected to grow by 10% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 395K Marketing Manager positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 19%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Marketing Managers the most?
The highest-paying states for Marketing Managers include New York, California, Illinois. In New York, the median salary is approximately $192,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Marketing Manager salary?
To increase your Marketing Manager salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Campaign Strategy and SEO/SEM. Pursue certifications such as Google Analytics. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 5-8 years of experience, you can progress from $98,900 to $225,800 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Marketing Manager Salary
How we calculate Marketing Manager salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Marketing Managers (SOC 11-2021), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $166,790, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Marketing Managers; BLS mean $177,770; BLS hourly median $80.19.
- Entry-level ($98,900) and senior-level ($225,800) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +10% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 395,240 Marketing Managers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 19% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Marketing sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $166,790; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Marketing Manager compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Marketing 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: Marketing Manager salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Campaign Strategy, SEO/SEM, Analytics), 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 Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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