Best cities for a creative manager
The best cities for creative managers are San Francisco, CA, Greensboro, NC, and Charlotte, NC, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for creative managers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for creative managers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a creative manager or considering a move, this list of the best cities for creative managers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for creative managers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a creative manager. While the absolute best city for creative managers is San Francisco, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for creative managers in 2024.
If you're looking for a creative manager job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for creative managers in 2025
1. San Francisco, CA
Total creative manager jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $114,888 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 3.04 2. Greensboro, NC
Total creative manager jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $101,493 Lowest 10 percent warn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $150,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Charlotte, NC
Total creative manager jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $99,518 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $149,000 Location quotient: 1.28 4. Raleigh, NC
Total creative manager jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $102,760 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $151,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Durham, NC
Total creative manager jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $102,622 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $151,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Philadelphia, PA
Total creative manager jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $92,912 Lowest 10 percent warn: $63,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $135,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Winston-Salem, NC
Total creative manager jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $100,878 Lowest 10 percent warn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $150,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Fort Wayne, IN
Total creative manager jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $91,980 Lowest 10 percent warn: $61,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $136,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Los Angeles, CA
Total creative manager jobs: 27 Average annual salary: $107,860 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 11.99 10. Indianapolis, IN
Total creative manager jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $90,085 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $135,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for creative managers
- San Francisco, CA
- Greensboro, NC
- Charlotte, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Durham, NC
- Philadelphia, PA
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Los Angeles, CA
- Indianapolis, IN
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Detailed list of the best cities for a creative manager
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $114,888 | $74,000 | 870,887 | 8 |
| 2 | Greensboro, NC | $101,493 | $68,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $99,518 | $66,000 | 842,051 | 2 |
| 4 | Raleigh, NC | $102,760 | $69,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 5 | Durham, NC | $102,622 | $69,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $92,912 | $63,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 7 | Winston-Salem, NC | $100,878 | $67,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 8 | Fort Wayne, IN | $91,980 | $61,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $107,860 | $69,000 | 3,976,322 | 27 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $90,085 | $60,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 11 | Pittsburgh, PA | $90,460 | $61,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $87,431 | $59,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $86,904 | $58,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 14 | Fremont, CA | $114,583 | $73,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 15 | San Jose, CA | $114,548 | $73,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 16 | Cincinnati, OH | $85,148 | $56,000 | 298,800 | 1 |
| 17 | Oakland, CA | $114,719 | $74,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 18 | Jersey City, NJ | $106,315 | $72,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 19 | Toledo, OH | $86,346 | $58,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 20 | Las Vegas, NV | $86,282 | $55,000 | 632,912 | 1 |
| 21 | Stockton, CA | $113,840 | $73,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 22 | Newark, NJ | $106,250 | $72,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 23 | Sacramento, CA | $113,468 | $73,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 24 | North Las Vegas, NV | $86,115 | $54,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 25 | Fresno, CA | $112,940 | $72,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 26 | Scottsdale, AZ | $86,696 | $55,000 | 246,645 | 1 |
| 27 | Seattle, WA | $100,198 | $66,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 28 | Henderson, NV | $85,920 | $54,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 29 | Reno, NV | $88,644 | $56,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 30 | Long Beach, CA | $106,834 | $68,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 31 | Bakersfield, CA | $111,123 | $71,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 32 | Nashville, TN | $79,719 | $51,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 33 | Anaheim, CA | $106,732 | $68,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 34 | El Paso, TX | $84,976 | $54,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 35 | Riverside, CA | $106,495 | $68,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 36 | Santa Ana, CA | $106,416 | $68,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 37 | Irvine, CA | $106,131 | $68,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 38 | Detroit, MI | $80,756 | $54,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 39 | San Antonio, TX | $84,375 | $54,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 40 | Virginia Beach, VA | $95,877 | $65,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 41 | Norfolk, VA | $95,721 | $65,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 42 | Chesapeake, VA | $95,697 | $65,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 43 | Glendale, AZ | $86,665 | $55,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 44 | Phoenix, AZ | $86,659 | $55,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 45 | Laredo, TX | $83,881 | $54,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 46 | Mesa, AZ | $86,174 | $55,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 47 | Chandler, AZ | $86,103 | $55,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 48 | Gilbert, AZ | $86,057 | $55,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 49 | Austin, TX | $84,337 | $53,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 50 | Miami, FL | $83,326 | $54,000 | 453,579 | 10 |
Highest paying cities for creative managers
| Rank | City | Avg. creative manager salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Bruno, CA | $114,940 |
| 2 | Providence, RI | $103,496 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $99,518 |
| 4 | Chesapeake, VA | $95,697 |
| 5 | Annapolis, MD | $95,667 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $92,912 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $92,163 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $90,955 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $89,197 |
| 10 | Charleston, WV | $87,434 |
| 11 | Columbus, OH | $86,904 |
| 12 | Scottsdale, AZ | $86,696 |
| 13 | Las Vegas, NV | $86,282 |
| 14 | Boston, MA | $85,997 |
| 15 | Kissimmee, FL | $84,952 |
| 16 | Fort Worth, TX | $82,781 |
| 17 | Albuquerque, NM | $80,631 |
| 18 | Lebanon, TN | $80,332 |
| 19 | Centennial, CO | $78,320 |
| 20 | Anchorage, AK | $77,197 |
Creative manager best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025