Marketing Salaries: How Much Does a Digital Marketer Make?
Marketing is the process of attracting consumers to your products and services through advertising and promotion. A marketing career provides creative and strategic job opportunities in a fast-growing field with competitive salaries.
Digital marketers advertise products using digital channels such as websites and social media platforms. Their salaries are comparable to those of other related positions in the marketing field, but they depend on experience, job title, and location.
Featured Online Digital Marketing Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Is the Average Digital Marketer’s Salary?
The median annual salary for a market research analyst or marketing specialist is $74,680 as of May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). At a higher level, marketing managers earn a median annual salary of $157,620 in May 2023.
The median salary varies for other related positions. Here are three examples:
PR Specialists
$66,750
Technical Writers
$80,050
Writers and Authors
$73,690
Highest-Paying Digital Marketing Salaries
The following high-paying digital marketing jobs usually require a combination of on-the-job experience and advanced degrees.
| Digital Marketer Job | Average Annual Salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Marketing Managers | $156,580 |
| Public Relations Managers | $130,480 |
| Art Directors | $106,500 |
| Director of Digital Marketing | $111,656* |
| Vice President of Marketing with Digital Marketing Skills | $153,937* |
How Much Digital Marketers Make in Your State
The salary for digital marketers varies based on job location — due to cost of living — and other factors like company size, level of experience, and job role. You can look up the median marketing wages for your state on the BLS website. The table below shows the highest paying states for digital marketers.
The Highest-Paying States for Digital Marketers
Marketing Manager
- California $192,730
- New York $192,670
- Texas $150,470
Public Relations Managers
- California $170,470
- District of Columbia $224,110
- Texas $126,570
Technical Writers
- California $109,380
- Texas $75,950
- Florida $78,130
Job Growth for Digital Marketers
The BLS projects the need for marketing managers to increase by 6% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average job growth rate for all occupations during the same time period. However, the organization projects certain marketing-related jobs to grow even more at the same time.
For example, the BLS projects the need for market research analysts to increase by 13%. This is at a rate much faster than the average for all other occupations. The BLS attributes this growth to a retiring workforce.
Fortunately, it is possible to switch between marketing-related careers to follow growth and salary trends. Pursuing an entry-level job that requires a variety of digital marketing job responsibilities may qualify individuals for more specialized positions with higher job growth.
What Field of Marketing Pays the Most?
The BLS tracks salary information for how marketing manager pay varies between industries. The professional, scientific, and technical services field offers the highest median annual wage for marketing managers, with a median income of $157,620
Other top-paying industries for marketing managers include:
- Management of companies and enterprises: $167,800
- Finance and insurance: $165,470
- Manufacturing: $165,840
- Wholesale trade: $151,090
The job responsibilities and availability of marketing positions in these industries are similar. Learners should pursue internships that align with these industries to earn a job in these fields. Earning a certificate also allows professionals to specialize.
More Education Leads to a Higher Digital Marketer Salary
Bachelor’s in Marketing Salary
A bachelor’s in marketing prepares learners for roles as coordinators and specialists in the marketing, advertising, and public relations fields. When marketing students approach their final year of studies, they can start to put together a digital portfolio and apply for jobs. This list highlights three jobs that only require a bachelor’s degree in this field.
Social Media Coordinator
These coordinators oversee campaigns on social media platforms. They create content and work with social media influencers. Social media coordinators must have strategic thinking skills. They implement campaigns and evaluate them for effectiveness. Most positions require basic photography and copywriting skills.
- Median Salary:$56,670
Digital Marketing Specialist
Digital marketing specialists assist with online content creation and strategy. They must know best practices for search engine optimization (SEO). Most digital marketing jobs require basic SEO copywriting skills and foundational knowledge of coding. They often conduct basic competitor research and report their findings to directors.
- Median Salary:$74,680
Public Relations Specialists
These specialists assist public relations directors with event planning, writing, and creating communication plans. They write press releases and generate ideas for media events. They also support a public relations director during a company crisis. Public relations specialists who work for nonprofits often specialize in fundraising.
- Median Salary:$66,750
Master’s in Marketing Salary
A master’s in marketing prepares graduates to work in management roles. Common degrees include an MBA in marketing and a master’s in digital marketing. The curriculum covers a combination of theories and practical applications. During their studies, learners engage in class discussions and complete a thesis. People who want to advance their studies without a full degree can earn a graduate certificate in marketing.
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
These managers provide direction to a team of photographers, designers, copywriters, and web developers. They create the strategy and design the campaigns other marketing professionals implement. They often set benchmark goals and evaluate marketing efforts based on these goals.
- Median Salary:$131,870
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
These professionals often coach top executives on best practices for media interviews. They work as the main communication contact during a public relations crisis. They use industry research to construct campaigns that persuade, inform, or inspire.
- Median Salary:$119,200
Digital Marketing Director
Digital marketing directors oversee marketing efforts on websites and social media. These professionals work closely with web designers, photographers, and writers to reach target audiences online. They provide these employees with feedback to enhance their marketing efforts.
- Median Salary:$111,656
Doctorate or Ph.D. in Marketing Salary
A doctorate in marketing is the terminal degree for marketers. This degree often requires a dissertation, which is a project that aims to fill in industry knowledge gaps through research. In fact, a doctorate in marketing mainly emphasizes research.
People who want to work in academia or research may benefit from this degree. After earning this degree, marketers can continue pursuing education through sabbaticals and self-led research.
Professor of Marketing
Marketing professors educate the next generation of professionals. They lead classroom discussions and provide feedback on essays and projects. Marketing professors also provide career advice to students and connect them with career opportunities. Some professors conduct research in their spare time.
- Median Salary:$97,130
CEO/Top Executives
Top executives include CEOs, CFOs, operations managers, and, in academic settings, university presidents. These professionals often hold doctorate degrees as well as many years of experience in the field. Executives oversee organization budgets and manage department heads for corporations, nonprofits, and schools. They implement organization-wide operations policies and delegate responsibilities to ensure things run smoothly.
- Median Salary:$206,680
Market Researchers
Market researchers design studies focused on target audiences. Some market researchers conduct focus groups. They gather information about consumer habits and report their findings to marketing professionals. Marketers tailor their techniques based on these findings.
- Median Salary:$74,680
Frequently Asked Questions About Marketing Salaries
Marketers are in high demand, with an expected 13% increase in growth for marketing specialists by 2032. Likewise, demand for marketing managers is expected to grow by 6% during the same time period.
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