Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for directors of new media in the United States
Are director of new media jobs in demand?
Director of new media job and salary trends over time
Director of new media jobs over time
Director of new media job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,571 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,505 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,445 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,235 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,062 | 0.00% |
Average director of new media salary over time
Director of new media salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $82,946 | $39.88 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $79,843 | $38.39 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $78,349 | $37.67 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $77,147 | $37.09 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $76,534 | $36.80 | +1.9% |
Director of new media jobs by state
Most common states for directors of new media
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 347 | 50% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,296 | 19% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 196 | 18% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 114 | 18% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 183 | 14% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 134 | 14% |
| 7 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,592 | 13% |
| 8 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,161 | 13% |
| 9 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 610 | 13% |
| 10 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 606 | 13% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 544 | 13% |
| 12 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 505 | 13% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,548 | 12% |
| 14 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 366 | 12% |
| 15 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 362 | 12% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 594 | 11% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 382 | 11% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 114 | 11% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 81 | 11% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 172 | 10% |
Most common cities for directors of new media
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 1 | 4% | $64,373 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $83,413 |
| 3 | Culver City | 1 | 3% | $82,615 |
| 4 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $74,541 |
| 5 | Juneau | 1 | 3% | $93,038 |
| 6 | Centennial | 1 | 1% | $72,072 |
| 7 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $100,275 |
| 8 | Highlands Ranch | 1 | 1% | $72,130 |
| 9 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $81,085 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $60,774 |
| 11 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $72,017 |
| 12 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $61,099 |
| 13 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $111,495 |
| 14 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $72,054 |
| 15 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $71,016 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $64,394 |
Director Of New Media job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of director of new media experts
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Cabrini University
Towson University
Auburn University-Montgomery
Auburn University-Montgomery
Delta State University
Old Dominion University
Wayland Baptist University, Anchorage
Western New England University
University of Virginia
James Madison University
Roger Williams University
The One Club
What general advice would you give to a Director Of New Media?
Frances Zhu: Get competing offers and negotiate a higher salary. Foster skills that lend to higher salaries. For example, even though marine biology may not pay the highest, if you have some coding experience, you will be one of the higher paid marine biologists in the field.
Professor Cheryl Pilchik
Marketing at Cabrini U.Cabrini University
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What Director Of New Media skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Cheryl Pilchik: Look at all the benefits offered by the company, such as medical, holidays, 401K, etc. Also, consider using the position as a steppingstone in your field to a second job in the near future.
Erin Steffes Ph.D.
Department Chair and ProfessorTowson University
Marketing Department
What soft skills should all Directors Of New Media possess?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: Students often underestimate the importance of soft skills. To succeed in a marketing career, you need to be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, work well in a team environment, use critical and creative thinking, and get along with others. On an individual level, successful marketers are typically good time managers, decisive, adaptable to change, good listeners, and open to feedback. Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in one's career progression and success.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Directors Of New Media?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: As a science and an art, marketing utilizes both soft skills and technical skills on a daily basis. While some technologies are industry-specific, having an understanding and basic mastery of data analysis, statistics, data visualization, digital marketing, marketing research, and customer relationship management will position a candidate well.
What skills will help Directors Of New Media earn the most?
Erin Steffes Ph.D.: At the end of the day, firms want to hire candidates that will contribute value over the long term and are adaptable to change. Demonstrating that you have the skills to do the job at hand while signaling that you are willing to contribute to the team is critical in landing that first job. One of the most important lessons for a job candidate or new hire is to eliminate the notion that something "is not my job." Your new career will give you many opportunities to create value for your customers, your colleagues, or the firm as a whole, many of which may lie beyond your immediate scope of responsibility.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors Of New Media?
Jeff Bates: I believe there will be an impact on everyone, but especially our younger generation, as we progress into the Covid future. The current students have entered into a new realm of attending college and will face similar challenges in entering the workplace. The traditional method of interviewing, learning a new job, and even interacting with co-workers will be altered in at least the near future. Graduates will need much greater on-line communication skills and will probably need to be more self-taught in their new positions instead of learning from in-person mentoring.
What will help Directors Of New Media increase their earning potential?
Jeff Bates: The same thing will help people in any field continue to increase their earning potential as in the past. If an employee can find a way to differentiate themselves in a positive manner and make themselves valuable or even invaluable to their company, they should see increased earnings potential. Learning a foreign language, computer skills such as Excel, good math skills, and the ability to communicate will prove to be extremely important in advancing one's career.
Mary Kiker Ph.D.
Professor of ManagementAuburn University-Montgomery
Department of Business Administration
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Of New Media job market given the pandemic?
Mary Kiker Ph.D.: Yes, I think there will be an enduring impact of the pandemic on graduates. They now realize that life can change drastically in an instant. They realized that they had to change their behavior, be flexible, and they realized that circumstances out of their control will impact their life dramatically.
How have salaries changed over time for Directors Of New Media?
Lisa Cooley: Salaries have certainly improved since I have been in the field. However, the biggest change I have seen is the type of jobs that are available. I teach marketing and there is such a high demand for employees who understand digital marketing. I think when students are able to effectively market a business online, they can demand a higher salary. This is one of those unique situations where recent college grads often have an advantage over seasoned marketing executives.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director Of New Media job market given the pandemic?
Lisa Cooley: Obviously, we are seeing a lot more flexibility in terms of virtual work. A lot of the jobs I have seen allow for their employees to work remotely (at least a portion of the time).
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors Of New Media?
Jay Walker Ph.D.: Relative to other recessions, this downturn in GDP was self-imposed from the lockdowns and other preventative measures rather than a shock to aggregate demand. GDP and other economic measures have rebounded quickly as restrictions have been lifted. The productive capability of the country doesn't appear to have been drastically affected by the lockdowns, and since the number of deaths was relatively low compared to other historical pandemics the size of the workforce hasn't been greatly affected. Moving forward, the impact will likely be small as the labor market looks relatively healthy and unemployment rates are still relatively low compared to historical measures.
Graduating into a recession has been shown to be detrimental to recent graduates over time as the initial salary many graduates receive sets a trajectory to build from over the course of a career. Simply, the first salary sets a base to build from and while the past year has been difficult economically for many, I remain optimistic for the near to medium term with inflation as my biggest fear over that horizon. My biggest concern for the longer term is the situation with budget deficits and the national debt in the United States and other developed economies.
What will help Directors Of New Media increase their earning potential?
Jay Walker Ph.D.: I believe answer to number two is a good response to number three. There is an increasing importance in the ability to work with and understand data. Economics offers a framework to view the world, but through the lens of understanding data.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors Of New Media?
Dr. Mary Rydesky: What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact on your job prospects? Emphases on project management and strategic thinking have been joined by certifications in soft skills that support diversity and cultural awareness. Graduates do need technical skills, but with the shift to remote teams and work from home environments pushed the curve. Now, grads need experience in applying their tech skills from a distance.
What will help Directors Of New Media increase their earning potential?
Dr. Mary Rydesky: What will help people in your field increase their earning potential? In most fields, developing a portfolio of projects has high potential. For employers, concrete evidence of experience is a strong influencer when selecting new employees. Any student who can complete an internship or who works while in school has an advantage in this regard. If I can ascertain that an applicant has the knowledge, skill, and abilities as tested by measurable experience, I am not only more interested in the hiring potential, I am likely to be competitive in salary offers.
What will help Directors Of New Media increase their earning potential?
Harlan Spotts Ph.D.: In marketing, developing digital capabilities is extremely important. Marketing was on the forefront of the digital transition in business. With the amount of commerce that has shifted to the web marketers have to be comfortable with living in the digital space. This will demand new and different strategies. Marketers have always needed to be effective communicators, but now it is not just being a great closer. Marketers need to be effective communicators in writing (text, email, etc.) and verbal (person to person live, as well as person to person online)
Students need to start in college developing skills to be successful. It was interesting, we, in the College of Business, were talking about developing student competency in remote work before the pandemic hit last year. The pandemic accelerated our work, and we are in the process now of approving a certificate in remote work that any undergraduate business student can earn. It is designed to develop those competencies that will be critical for success in the "new normal."
What's a day at work look like for a Director Of New Media?
Harlan Spotts Ph.D.: We have been talking about post-pandemic work, and the key word is going to be flexibility. Flexibility with work environment, could be in the office, could be at home, could be at Starbucks. The concept of "going" to work has changed. So, I see every day and week potentially being different. Companies are seeing how much can be done via web conferencing, so you will see less business travel (not a good thing for the airlines). There will still be some, but less than before. The pandemic as accelerated technology adoption and use across industries, perhaps by 5 years. students will we working in different environments, and across time zones. They did this before, but it will be even more common.
What's a good job out of college for Directors Of New Media?
Ira Harris Ph.D.: It's important to keep in mind that for most graduates, their first job out of college will most certainly not be their last, so students should think of an early or entry-level job as a continuation of their skill building and academic enrichment. By identifying a portfolio that contains tasks and duties that will lead to expertise and increase their marketability, students can prepare themselves to ladder into the next phase(s) of a career trajectory. A job that allows for geographic flexibility, varied work hours, and application and expansion of technical acumen should be a safe bet. These components cross a variety of industries, so students shouldn't feel inhibited or limited to certain functions. Over the last several years, we've noticed a drastic decline in jobs that require employees to be consistently hands-on and "sit in one space."
What technical skills for a Director Of New Media stand out to employers?
Ira Harris Ph.D.: Graduates must not be complacent and assume their skill base will endure over a long period; they must continue to engage and learn in order to understand changes in the landscape and add value. Beyond listing specific computer software or hardware skills, we know from working so closely with employers to place our students that they are looking for students who possess excellent communication skills - including technical communication. Along the lines of communicating, employers seek graduates with the ability to analyze and succinctly synthesize sometimes ambiguous information. Finally, showcasing flexibility and an interest in learning will be important to employers.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors Of New Media?
Richard Tate: Of course! There will be an enduring impact of the coronavirus on all humanity. Psychologists and sociologists will be busy for years to define and determine the impact. The business environment has changed drastically for our upcoming graduates from the environment that was present when they entered college 4 years ago. Everyone is spending more time connecting with each via devices and within a virtual world. Corporate training programs have transitioned to virtual formats and I believe something is lost when you reduce human-to-human learning and engagement. We are all learning to live in this new "Zoom" environment, but it is not the same and business environments will not return to pre-pandemic for a long while, if ever.
I was speaking with one of my corporate partners recently and he said that creativity has diminished. He mentioned that the best ideas in his company were always generated by casual "watercooler" conversations. Our Zoom conferences adhere to specific agendas and schedules and always end at a pre-determined time. I thought his perspective was very interesting given that a set schedule and itinerary diminishes the opportunity for relaxed, engaged, creative conversation.
As Director for our Center for Professional Sales I am witness to the many sales jobs that are available today. Companies have actually increased hiring this year after surviving and uncertain last year. For the most part, internships were all cancelled last year so we have a graduating class that may have less professional experience but opportunities are actually increasing.
What will help Directors Of New Media increase their earning potential?
Richard Tate: Sales is transitioning from a "problem solving" focus to a "teaching" focus. Great sales professionals today are able to teach their clients something that the client didn't know about their product, service, competition, market, business environment, etc. Through technology and "ask Google," most professional buyers can research and gain 60-80% of the knowledge that they need to make a buying decision.
That leaves only a 20% to 40% space for a salesperson to have an impact, and that space must be filled with new ideas and new knowledge that will assist the buyer in making an informed decision. Much of business-to-business sales today is very technical and expensive. Wrong technology decisions carry far greater risk to a company today. The wrong application can quickly turn any competitive advantage over to a competitor and with today's "sticky" technologies, you may never get that customer back.
Being an expert in your field and having the boldness to challenge your buyer's thoughts and show them a different way, is how salespeople can best increase their earning potential.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors Of New Media?
Geraldo Matos: I have a strong bias towards coursework that involves experiential learning, whatever the topic, which is a distinctive part of a Roger Williams University education. At RWU, we do that in many marketing courses but particularly in our advertising classes, where students often work with local start-ups, putting into practice the insights they gleaned from traditional learning. This activity, as well as participation by our students in the National Student Advertising Competition positions them to graduate with not only the knowledge necessary to succeed in the marketplace, but a portfolio of their work that is tangible evidence of their prowess.
As for certifications, Google Ad and Google Analytics are great starting points. Others include Facebook Blueprint, Hootsuite, and HubSpot. Branding matters in marketing and these are great brands to have on your resume.
What soft skills should all Directors Of New Media possess?
Geraldo Matos: First and foremost, I think it's resiliency and adaptability. Need to work remotely? Okay, we've done that. Need to change strategy on the fly due to the pandemic? We can do that, too! Being up for the next challenge is critical.
Another critical soft skill is resourcefulness. Figure it out. Your boss will probably be willing to help you, but she also likely has a lot on her plate. Not stopping at the first hurdle (or second or third) you encounter, but rather taking the initiative and trying to figure out how to solve the issue/problem will earn you great respect, and at some point, more responsibility.
Finally, while it's not really a soft skill, I also think having a bent towards being a lifetime learner is important. Your degree is a critical foundation. The marketing world, however, is changing at an ever-increasing rate. Young graduates must understand that they'll need to stay committed to keeping up with the latest technology throughout their career.
What general advice would you give to a Director Of New Media?
Yash Egami: A recent Forrester report says that the ad industry will lose 50,000 jobs through 2021, with 35,000 of them already lost since the pandemic. The traditional ad agency model was already in trouble, with many brands hiring away talent and creating their own in-house agencies. Add to that the recent reckoning with the Black Lives Matter movement, and what we're seeing is an industry that is being forced to go through monumental change in order to survive.
While traditional roles like art director or copywriter are on the decline, the good news is that, in an effort to reinvent themselves, agencies are seeking creatives with digital skills like UX design and programming. The rise of in-house creative departments has also meant more opportunities for job seekers within brands rather than agencies. And because of the demand for more diversity from clients and those within advertising, recruiters are making more of an effort to hire multicultural talent.
At The One Club for Creativity, we've been at the forefront of change in the industry through our diversity and inclusion, professional development and gender equality programs. We recently hosted our annual multicultural career fair, "Where Are All the Black People?" that brought together thousands of diverse talent with 40 agencies and companies looking to hire. We launched One School, a free online program for Black creatives who want to get into the industry but don't have a portfolio or the economic means to afford to go to ad school. And we're working on upskilling courses for professionals who want to reinvent themselves or keep up with the changing demands of our industry.
So if you're a recent graduate who specializes in art direction, our advice would be to keep an open mind about what kind of company you want to work for and think about expanding your skillset to include digital skills so that you can future-proof your career. Where you are isn't as important because, since the pandemic, agencies have become more comfortable with working remotely and they are more open to having a workforce not centered on the traditional agency hubs, like New York or Los Angeles.