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Marketing lead job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected marketing lead job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 33,700 new jobs for marketing leads are projected over the next decade.
Marketing lead salaries have increased 8% for marketing leads in the last 5 years.
There are over 98,724 marketing leads currently employed in the United States.
There are 92,987 active marketing lead job openings in the US.
The average marketing lead salary is $104,664.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 98,724 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 95,696 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 93,396 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 85,201 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 77,632 | 0.02% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $104,664 | $50.32 | +3.9% |
| 2025 | $100,747 | $48.44 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $98,863 | $47.53 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $97,346 | $46.80 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $96,573 | $46.43 | +1.9% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 394 | 37% |
| 2 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1,073 | 35% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 451 | 34% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 231 | 33% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 297 | 28% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 188 | 25% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 210 | 24% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 413 | 22% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,603 | 20% |
| 10 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 338 | 20% |
| 11 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 558 | 19% |
| 12 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 2,020 | 17% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,226 | 17% |
| 14 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,124 | 17% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,009 | 17% |
| 16 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 520 | 17% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 327 | 16% |
| 18 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,468 | 15% |
| 19 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,033 | 15% |
| 20 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 457 | 15% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Englewood | 8 | 23% | $80,407 |
| 2 | Cambridge | 6 | 5% | $108,017 |
| 3 | Bethesda | 3 | 5% | $95,212 |
| 4 | Cupertino | 3 | 5% | $134,537 |
| 5 | Boston | 12 | 2% | $108,063 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 10 | 2% | $99,249 |
| 7 | Miami | 8 | 2% | $77,508 |
| 8 | Des Moines | 4 | 2% | $86,805 |
| 9 | Hartford | 3 | 2% | $110,493 |
| 10 | San Francisco | 6 | 1% | $135,264 |
| 11 | Washington | 6 | 1% | $101,916 |
| 12 | Sacramento | 4 | 1% | $134,065 |
| 13 | Tampa | 4 | 1% | $81,505 |
| 14 | Minneapolis | 3 | 1% | $93,002 |
| 15 | New York | 12 | 0% | $118,016 |
| 16 | Chicago | 10 | 0% | $111,462 |
| 17 | San Diego | 7 | 0% | $116,278 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 5 | 0% | $119,278 |
| 19 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $111,313 |
Webster University
University of South Florida
Texas Woman's University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Eastern University
City University of Seattle
Xavier University
Endicott College
North Dakota State University
Siena College
Rich Johnson: Most job titles have a similar salary. Sometimes the salary is better in urban spaces where the cost of living is higher as well. Before I would assess salary, I would look at the cost of living and your monthly budget to build your personal requirements. You usually need to begin work in a starting salary position, but that doesn't mean that you need to stay there for long. When you get into a role, go all in. Master everything that is asked of you and start providing ideas to solve problems. Your value isn't just your ability to complete a task, it is your ability to provide value and creative solutions. Make sure that you retain credit for your contributions and stay positive. Building value in your role is key for job security and growth. Another part of the ladder of salary growth is self advocating for raises and knowing when you have hit the ceiling in your present position. If you do hit a plateau, the options are to pursue a new role or consider taking your skills to another business. One of the most effective growth tools that I have had in my career has been through freelance. If you have the bandwidth, consider taking on some freelance work. This will build skills and new connections that can lead to your next opportunity.
Rich Johnson: One of the most difficult positions can be the beginning. But, the most potential starts there as well. Once you start down a path, inertia and career trajectory could keep you on that path for a while. Choose wisely... Always be curious and have an open mind. Try something for a while. Learn new skills, gain perspective and let the path unfold before you. A lot of jobs ask for a student to have work experience before they are willing to hire. This creates a dilemma too. One piece of advice that I give to my students is to do volunteer work in the direction that they would like their career to go. If you like the music industry, volunteer to create designs for the musicians and stages. Replace your college portfolio with work that involves collaboration and connects you to the community. Maybe your HR team might have seen that show and was impressed with your work. It can be hard to know when doors will open. The most important thing is to keep going. Don't let setbacks stop you.
Rich Johnson: Digital media covers a lot of mediums and requires many skill sets (print, static online, animation, interactive). The print arm is a lesser component although still valuable in the scope of marketing. Smartphones, tablets and gaming have moved a lot of digital into a customer expectation of interactive and customizable content. The present model of career specialization in a certain aspect of this spectrum of skills is changing. The age of the generalist is becoming more of a reality as design tools are becoming more accessible and A.I. is assisting in the more complex tasks. I would say that someone working in digital media will need to focus more on the big picture of design, predicting trends and developing solutions from a point of view with perspective. It will be even more important to understand the needs of a system from the top down and provide solutions that enhance that system. This might be through partnering with marketing and sales to conceptualize solutions, pitching product ideas and other functions related to creative and art direction. And be curious, all of the time. Keep up to date with everything that is happening. Take classes, watch tutorials, read articles and be obsessed with the breakneck rate of change. Digital media is constantly changing and possibilities are always expanding. It can be near impossible to be a master of all of these trajectories, but you can understand them well enough to bring in a specialist when the challenge requires it. This is where I predict that A.I. will be a major paradigm shift. There will be a time when you will ask the system to solve a problem, and you can choose what parts of the process that you want to control. So to boil it down... Develop a well rounded set of skills Further develop specialist level skills where you excel Keep on top of change and keep a thirst for learning Strengthen your connection to problem solving and creative innovation Keep an eye on the future predicting what might be around the bend
Amy Mehaffey: There is an increasing reliance on digital marketing and data analytics in the field of marketing. Businesses understand the importance of digital technologies, online platforms, and targeted marketing, creating a high demand for skilled professionals in this dynamic and evolving field. Understanding the strategy behind marketing and the connection between data, psychology, and human behavior is crucial. Marketing offers creativity, strategic thinking, and the opportunity to see tangible results from efforts, making it a rewarding career.
Dr. Héctor Lozada Ph.D.: In my opinion, advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data analytics, are shaping the future of market research. These technologies will allow market researchers to analyze and gather large amounts of data more efficiently, leading to more accurate and actionable insights. Also, learn another language if you have not done so already.
Dr. Kaley Martin M.A. '16: For Digital Media degree graduates whether that’s in my field, Mass Communication, or other fields such as Communication Studies, Digital Filmmaking, Marketing, Social Media, etc. graduates need to have strong work portfolios entering the field. To gain that experience and portfolio work, I encourage students to join academic organizations that align with those interests and also turn every class assignment into an opportunity to gather portfolio work! I think at times students think “this is for a class only”, but really these are great opportunities to double-dip and get portfolio pieces while also completing your course work. Additionally, as much as you can, outside of the classroom create content in whatever medium fits your field of interest. Keep growing and practicing your craft so that your skills are continually worked like building muscle in a sense. Finally, entering the field, do not think your learning stops when you graduate. Our field is changing rapidly and constantly so you need to be plugged in to reputable organizations and resources that help you consistently grow in your chosen digital medium area to always be forward-thinking and able to move forward with our digital media ecosystem.
Dr. Kaley Martin M.A. '16: As much as it pains me to say, artificial intelligence will be something to not only be familiar with, but something you need to take time to learn in whatever way that fleshes out for your area in the industry. AI content generation is NOT something I think we should be leaning in to because true creativity and talent is something uniquely human and what you are trained to do through your education, but knowledge of how AI affects your area is very important. For instance, be able to spot AI-generated content, be able to notice misinformation among AI-generated content, and be familiar with the processes and players in this space. Eventually, you’ll be hiring and you want to be able to spot a fake portfolio as well. Learning trends, developing that creative eye, and finding new, unique ways to create content is not going to come from AI any time soon, so I encourage new entrants to the industry to be trained professionals that can recognize when these technologies are in use and abused. Like a tool, they have their place, but a hammer did not build the house for the architect. The architect designed the house and the hammer helped execute that design plan so is AI as a tool for our field.
Dr. Kaley Martin M.A. '16: The most important thing when negotiating salary in Digital Media fields is knowing your worth and pricing accordingly. So many freelance artists and newcomers tend to take lower salaries and rates due to creative work being culturally underpriced, but knowing you own worth and doing research will help you have those negotiation conversations. Additionally, knowing your worth means providing true value to those hiring you by showing you are bringing true skill, strategy, and artistry to the table — not just a degree. How are you using that degree to advance and innovate the field? My degree from the University of Montevallo, for instance, taught me as an undergraduate to be a consistent learner and be watchful of the changing tides of my field due to my university’s foundation in the liberal arts. Liberal arts foundations immerse students in not only their given area, but also expose them to diverse areas in the arts, sciences, humanities, business, and more. That allowed me to always examine how these areas intersect with my own and has made me a dynamic, sought-after, and decorated professional now. So, even if you are not coming from a liberal arts background, have that mindset about you on how I can show my true value to the employer and what I bring to the table that’s unique, different, and worth the money you are asking for. Also, if you are considering a degree in Digital Media, I strongly encourage you to research the paths we have for you here at the University of Montevallo.
Webster University
Radio, Television, And Digital Communication
Julia Griffey: Right now it seems like a lot companies are struggling with social media strategy and SEO. It's tricky because new platforms are emerging and algorithms are changing. Someone who can not rush into the next big thing, but instead, systematically formulates a plan, executes it and then measures results is very valuable. Effective marketing is about experimenting and seeing what works and doing more of what does and less of what doesn't.
University of South Florida
Business/Commerce
Jay Civitillo: I mentioned this to the department chair. He asked me to develop responses, which he will review with other marketing professors. I can have formal answers back to you by the end of the week. Will this work?
Dr. Gulay Guzel PhD: Maximizing salary potential at the outset of one's marketing career requires strategic considerations. Marketing is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing from fields such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and data science. Graduates should first identify their specialization within the marketing realm, whether it's in market research, product design, pricing strategy, or another area. Next, they should articulate what sets them apart from other candidates and highlight additional value they bring to the table. Realism is key when setting salary expectations; candidates should conduct thorough industry research to inform negotiations. Additionally, leveraging diverse experiences gained from internships and coursework to bolster their applications can significantly enhance their bargaining power.
Dr. Gulay Guzel PhD: Looking ahead, digital and social media marketing will continue to gain prominence, with no signs of slowing down. Similarly, influencer marketing is becoming a staple promotional tool across various platforms, especially as Gen Z consumers, who have never known a world without social media, dominate the market. Additionally, the integration of machine learning and automation, facilitated by AI, will streamline day-to-day tasks. These developments underscore the need for marketers to possess a comprehensive skill set, particularly in consumer data analysis, research methodologies, and promotion strategies. Furthermore, anticipating increased regulations, particularly in privacy and security, will shape the future landscape of marketing practices.
Dr. Stefanie Boyer: In the next 3-5 years, job skills will require more technical knowledge, as well as the ability to think critically about the appropriate use of AI, such as prompts, strategy, effectiveness, efficiency, ethics, and safety. Because of the AI tools we have available, you will be expected to do more in less time, and your job role will expand. Your ability to connect with others, communicate, and converse effectively will be extremely valuable because these are skills that AI can't replace.
Dr. Stefanie Boyer: To maximize your salary potential, first choose a company that offers opportunities for advancement. Understand what it takes to make more money and talk to your boss early about company priorities and how you can take on more responsibilities if you do your job well. Keep an eye on the company's long-term goals and learn skills that will help you become the perfect candidate for those key positions. Be a self-directed learner who uses a variety of resources to continue learning and developing new skills while establishing strategic relationships within the organization. But don't get too caught up in the future; you must take the necessary steps and perform your duties well. There are no shortcuts to hard work and effort, which develop your character and experience on the job.
Len Hostetter: Work hard and do your defined job well. Seek opportunities that take you outside your defined job, so that you can demonstrate to others that you are capable of more. Additionally, seek out a mentor as you start your career. Someone who is experienced and is not in your chain of command at work. Someone who will be honest with you and support your career advancement through providing feedback - both positive and negative. Finally, build you network, including building and maintaining professional relationships. This opens doors to your future success.
Len Hostetter: Deliver results and demonstrate to your management team that you've earned the raise in salary and compensation that you are seeking. Remain current with your skill set. Demonstrate your leadership skills. Oftentimes, increases in compensation come with promotions. Promotions oftentimes result in managing people. Show your management team that you have the skills and interest to lead a team of people, not just manage them.
Texas Woman's University
Business/Commerce
Dr. Pushkala Raman Ph.D.: Maximizing salary potential does not necessarily mean aiming for that job that pays the highest. Instead, it means being able to signal to the market your strengths and how you are "crazy good" in your area of strength. How can you continue to maintain that edge? Earning certifications, joining professional organizations, attending conferences and workshops provide opportunities to remain current in your field (adding to performance capital) and networking (adding to relationship capital).
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Marketing
Sally Baalbaki-Yassine Ph.D.: Be adaptable, coachable, and willing to learn and grow. It is important to use the skills you have learned while earning your degree, but also to adapt to the environment you are in and be able to show your ability to always learn and grow.
Sally Baalbaki-Yassine Ph.D.: Be able to position your specific value to the company. Showcase your experience in a relevant way for the role you are applying for. Include a personal website and any classroom client projects to showcase your experiences that may be relevant to the job. Don't sell yourself short!
Jeff James: Businesses will always need customers! A good Marketing Specialist, regardless of which marketing discipline they focus on, is always an advocate for the customer. The global marketplace is getting more competitive, not less, so there will always be a need for Marketing Specialists who continually embrace the latest tools to help the organization build and maintain profitable relationships. Today, the key skills to add to any marketing discipline are data analytics and AI. I always advise future marketers to focus on their passion, whether that is creative design, content development, customer experiences, or advertising, and then add data analytics and AI skills to their skill set. Companies are desperate for data and AI-savvy marketers to optimize their marketing investments.
Jeff James: Most marketers love the thrill of seeing the results of their work. It's a lot of fun to release a campaign and see how the customers respond, whether that is immediately (such as in most digital marketing categories) or longer-term (such as in customer satisfaction or relationship marketing). Marketing is typically fast-paced, so you are rarely bored. Some of the downsides of the role may also involve the pace of work; it can get overwhelming at times! Also, it can be frustrating to convince upper management, including the CFO, to invest at the right levels in marketing so you can achieve tangible results. Make sure you work for an organization where upper management understands the value of marketing and holds the marketing team accountable for results.
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD: A marketing manager is often responsible for planning and implementing a marketing plan. What this marketing plan encompasses can vary, as marketing involves many different things such as branding, product development, sales, advertising, digital and social media, and retailing.
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD: The ever-changing landscape of consumer trends and technological advancements in how to market to consumers often makes the job exciting and fast-paced. However, with the increased emphasis on results, marketers must be conscious of how to measure and demonstrate the value of their work.
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD: Brands across many product categories are facing an increasing level of competition. Brands may struggle with rising brand parity, where brands and their competitors are seen as similar to one another. Therefore, to stand out from competitors, it has become increasingly important for brands to have marketing managers that create value for consumers and communicate that value to consumers.
Catherine Cuckovich: As a Marketing professional, you are the expert on all things customers. People within the organization but outside of Marketing rely on you to look at and solve problems using customer insight. Societal changes and technological advances have revolutionized marketing in recent years creating more career paths for Marketers. The creation of two-way communication between consumers and companies through social media has made it more important than ever to understand customers. This has raised the profile of marketing within organizations.
Ajay Abraham Ph. D.: Earning a fair salary is important, although what exactly is fair might vary based on individual perceptions. More important, think of a job as offering a combination of financial and other non-monetary benefits such as perks (e.g., work culture, work-life balance, self-fulfillment, good colleagues, networking). Try to optimize your benefits across this multi-dimensional perspective rather than by simply focusing on salary. That stated, some job opportunities have scope for negotiation on salary. First, identify if the job that you are applying for has scope for negotiation, in which case, there's no harm in negotiating if done ethically, professionally, and reasonably. If the job is not one in which there's scope for negotiation, don't worry. Instead, focus on performance and making a case for yourself at the time of annual evaluations and/or salary hikes (which should be done even if there were salary negotiations before joining). Similar suggestions apply if you are thinking of switching roles/organizations.
Ajay Abraham Ph. D.: Everyone is talking about AI these days, so I will start off by joining the bandwagon, but with some nuance. It's important to know how to use artificial intelligence tools in order to be better or more effective at one's job. This doesn't mean that everyone needs to become an AI expert, but that we should be able to harness the power of AI tools to improve the quality and efficiency of our work. This requires being fluent enough with AI tools to understand, discuss, and make decisions involving AI or about AI output (even if we don't actually use those tools in a hands-on manner). This should be done while also being able to bridge the gap for those who are less fluent (perhaps those in more senior-level roles who are even less hands-on with these tools). That apart, as more of the workforce focuses more of their time on technical and similar skills, "softer" skills such as integrity, professionalism, self-awareness, and team-orientation will become even more important as differentiators.
Ajay Abraham Ph. D.: Earning a fair salary is important, although what exactly is fair might vary based on individual perceptions. More important, think of a job as offering a combination of financial and other non-monetary benefits such as perks (e.g., work culture, work-life balance, self-fulfillment, good colleagues, networking). Try to optimize your benefits across this multi-dimensional perspective rather than by simply focusing on salary. That stated, some job opportunities have scope for negotiation on salary. First, identify if the job that you are applying for has scope for negotiation, in which case, there’s no harm in negotiating if done ethically, professionally, and reasonably. If the job is not one in which there’s scope for negotiation, don’t worry. Instead, focus on performance and making a case for yourself at the time of annual evaluations and/or salary hikes (which should be done even if there were salary negotiations before joining). Similar suggestions apply if you are thinking of switching roles/organizations.
Xavier University
Marketing
KATHERINE (KATE) Katherine Loveland Ph.D.: I would probably give this advice to any graduate, but it is particularly important in marketing: work on building your personal connections. By this, I don't just mean building your online professional network, although this is important, I mean put in the actual face time. Pick up the phone, walk down the hall, go into the office, schedule the lunch (or coffee or drink), attend the networking event and then follow-up. We are social beings and I hear from managers all the time that the new hires who stand out are those who take the time to build relationships. Also, marketing is fundamentally about building connections between customer needs and organizational offerings. The best way to spot opportunities is to be actively engaged with a broad spectrum of people both within and outside the organization.
Jennifer D'Angelo Ph.D.: Brands across many product categories are facing an increasing level of competition. Brands may struggle with rising brand parity, where brands and their competitors are seen as similar to one another. Therefore, to stand out from competitors, it has become increasingly important for brands to have marketing managers that create value for consumers and communicate that value to consumers.
Jennifer D'Angelo Ph.D.: The ever-changing landscape of consumer trends and technological advancements in how to market to consumers often makes the job exciting and fast-paced. However, with the increased emphasis on results, marketers must be conscious of how to measure and demonstrate the value of their work.
Jennifer D'Angelo Ph.D.: Brands across many product categories are facing an increasing level of competition. Brands may struggle with rising brand parity, where brands and their competitors are seen as similar to one another. Therefore, to stand out from competitors, it has become increasingly important for brands to have marketing managers that create value for consumers and communicate that value to consumers.
Endicott College
Radio, Television, And Digital Communication
Career Committee: Solid work can be made with small or large crews, and small or big budgets. Be flexible. Develop several essential skills, not just one. If you can write and edit, operate a camera and direct, or toggle between full-time and contract work, then you stand a better chance of adapting to change.
North Dakota State University
Marketing
Ahmad Asady: The role of a Marketing professional is as rewarding as it is demanding. On one hand, it offers the chance to unleash creativity, see the direct impact of your work, and enjoy a variety of experiences across different projects and industries. On the other hand, it comes with its fair share of challenges, such as the pressure to perform under tight deadlines and budgets, the constant need to stay ahead in a fast-evolving field, and the stress of quantifying the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Despite these challenges, the role remains appealing for those drawn to a career that demands both strategic thinking and creative innovation, underscored by the powerful tool of persuasion to shape consumer behavior and drive business success.
Ahmad Asady: Now is an exciting time to enter the field of marketing. The digital age has transformed how brands connect with consumers, opening up a plethora of channels and tools for innovative engagement strategies. This digital expansion, coupled with the shift towards a more consumer-centric marketing approach, has made the role of a Marketing professional more crucial and impactful than ever. Professionals in this field enjoy the privilege of working at the intersection of creativity and analytics, where they can make significant contributions to a brand's growth and adapt to new challenges and technologies, ensuring a career that is both stable and filled with opportunities for continuous learning.
Ahmad Asady: A Marketing professional's day is a blend of art and science, filled with the pursuit of understanding and engaging the target audience. Their daily activities revolve around creating and managing content that resonates with consumers, conducting market research to stay ahead of trends, analyzing data to refine strategies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure a unified brand message. Persuasion lies at the heart of their role, as they must continuously convince both internal stakeholders and external audiences of the value and relevance of their brand's offerings.
Siena College
Marketing Department
S.Sinem Atakan: The most important skills for marketing graduates, especially given the remote working conditions due to the pandemic, are self-motivation, communication, and digital marketing skills. Creativity and analytical skills are always important in marketing, but pandemic has highlighted the importance of being able to work independently and motivate yourself even when external forces are not directly present. Communication skills are crucial to work remotely and be on the same page with your team members. Digital marketing was big but getting even bigger with this breakthrough changes in consumer behavior. Hence, the rising stars of the marketing job market will be graduates who can combine all these skills seamlessly