Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for online marketing strategists in the United States
Online marketing strategist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected online marketing strategist job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 33,700 new jobs for online marketing strategists are projected over the next decade.
Online marketing strategist salaries have increased 8% for online marketing strategists in the last 5 years.
There are over 3,977 online marketing strategists currently employed in the United States.
There are 80,263 active online marketing strategist job openings in the US.
The average online marketing strategist salary is $114,651.
Are online marketing strategist jobs in demand?
Online marketing strategist job and salary trends over time
Online marketing strategist jobs over time
Online marketing strategist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,977 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,856 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,763 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,432 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,125 | 0.00% |
Average online marketing strategist salary over time
Online marketing strategist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $114,651 | $55.12 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $110,361 | $53.06 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $108,296 | $52.07 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $106,635 | $51.27 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $105,788 | $50.86 | +1.9% |
Online marketing strategist jobs by state
Most common states for online marketing strategists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 232 | 33% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 181 | 29% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 259 | 24% |
| 4 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 635 | 20% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 244 | 18% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,229 | 17% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 180 | 17% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 98 | 17% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 128 | 15% |
| 10 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 112 | 15% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 801 | 14% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,186 | 13% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,108 | 13% |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 881 | 13% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 744 | 13% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 483 | 13% |
| 17 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 178 | 13% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 98 | 13% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 238 | 12% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 115 | 12% |
Most common cities for online marketing strategists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tucson | 1 | 0% | $108,235 |
Online Marketing Strategist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of online marketing strategist experts
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Murray State University
City University of Seattle
Indiana University Bloomington
Catholic University of America
Lasell University
Western Connecticut State University
North Dakota State University
Siena College
Siena College
Siena College
Idaho State University
University of Scranton
University of Houston - Downtown
West Los Angeles College
Berea College
What general advice would you give to an Online Marketing Strategist?
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.
What Online Marketing Strategist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What will help Online Marketing Strategists increase their earning potential?
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
What general advice would you give to an Online Marketing Strategist?
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.
What Online Marketing Strategist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What will help Online Marketing Strategists increase their earning potential?
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.
Dr. Joseph Harasta Jr
Associate ProfessorKutztown University of Pennsylvania
Radio, Television, And Digital Communication
What will help Online Marketing Strategists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Joseph Harasta Jr: With so much focus on online presence today, digital media specialists are valued and key members of any organization’s marketing and publicity efforts. It’s hard to imagine any organization that can flourish today with at least some form on online content and presence. Many organizations that are too small to hire digital media specialists outright might consider hiring a consultant who can handle managing online content in a smaller way. That said, anyone getting into the digital media field has an array of options available to them whether it be for a standalone company, consulting firm that specializes in online presence, or freelance workers who take on several clients at the same time.
What general advice would you give to an Online Marketing Strategist?
Elizabeth Thomas: While the specific tasks will vary by industry, a Digital Media Specialist most often works with metrics and analytics tools/platforms to impact search results (search engine marketing) and increase search engine optimization (SEO). Additionally, this professional may be involved at every level of digital media, from developing content, to editing video, managing social media accounts, monitoring media platforms, curating web content, and even engaging with consumers.
What Online Marketing Strategist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Elizabeth Thomas: Digital media is still very fresh territory. It is ever-evolving. Companies, brands, and agencies are looking to hire talented professionals with any training or experience with these relatively new sets of tasks. The most experienced people working in the communications field did not learn how to work with newer digital media when they were being trained because these literally didn't exist when most started their careers. This is why there are currently more jobs available than there are qualified applicants to fill them. As a college professor teaching public relations and digital technologies, I encourage soon-to-be graduates to hone their skills in this area because the jobs are plentiful and their expertise is not only needed but will be rewarded.
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD
Assistant Professor of MarketingWhat will help Online Marketing Strategists increase their earning potential?
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.
What Online Marketing Strategist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
Professor Steve Vinson
Director of Undergraduate StudiesIndiana University Bloomington
Middle/Near Eastern And Semitic Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What Online Marketing Strategist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Steve Vinson: Digital skills, especially AI.
What will help Online Marketing Strategists increase their earning potential?
Professor Steve Vinson: By being flexible, and by standing out. Cultivate multiple skills that complement your area studies/language skills, especially digital skills.
Chad Smith
Director of Legal ProgramsCatholic University of America
Legal Research And Advanced Professional Studies
What Online Marketing Strategist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Chad Smith: Be aggressive when applying for jobs. Even apply for jobs you do not think you may be hired for. Interviewing is a skill and the more you practice the more comfortable you will be. Make sure you are the best-prepared applicant when going for an interview and know as much information about the job/employer as you can.
Meryl Perlson MFA
Professor & Chair, CommunicationLasell University
Communication And Media Studies
What will help Online Marketing Strategists increase their earning potential?
Meryl Perlson MFA: As technology, including generative AI, makes it easier to produce content, it will become harder for organizations to break through the glut of messages. I anticipate increasing demand for digital storytelling skills - graduates who can harness, words, images and especially video to produce multimedia content for different platforms. Social media expertise - understanding how to track trends, engage audiences and measure the impact of messages to inform strategy - will also be increasingly valuable. Perennial list toppers like interpersonal communication (both virtual and in-person), problem solving and teamwork skills will continue to be important.
What Online Marketing Strategist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
JC Barone Ph.D.
ProfessorWestern Connecticut State University
Communication And Media Studies
What general advice would you give to an Online Marketing Strategist?
JC Barone Ph.D.: Research areas that match your skills and are realistic. Pursue additional training in person and online. Follow and seek advice from pros and continue to network. When meeting new people, have 1-2 sentences summarizing who you are and what interests you. Before contacting professional organizations, learn all you can about them, their mission, goals, reputation, personnel, and products or services. Show prospective employers your potential and value. Embrace feedback and grow from it. Don't be afraid to be proactive. Remember to balance work, life, and play.
Ahmad Asady
Assistant Professor of Management Faculty Scholar, Challey Institute for Global Innovation and GrowthNorth Dakota State University
Marketing
What general advice would you give to an Online Marketing Strategist?
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.
S.Sinem Atakan
Assistant Professor of MarketingSiena College
Marketing Department
What skills will help Online Marketing Strategists earn the most?
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
Soyoung Joo
Assistant Professor of MarketingSiena College
Marketing Department
What skills will help Online Marketing Strategists earn the most?
Soyoung Joo: Being able to work well with people from diverse backgrounds can be added to the above skills.
Allison Lauenstein
Teaching Instructor of MarketingSiena College
Marketing Department
What skills will help Online Marketing Strategists earn the most?
Allison Lauenstein: Leadership and collaboration will go a long way. The best ideas can come from anywhere, and it's not always about who has the best idea but who can execute the idea the best. Good marketers must understand that if you cannot successfully execute or effectively communicate a great idea, it may not be so great.
John Ney
Assistant Marketing Professor, Director of Professional Development & Sales ExcellenceIdaho State University
College of Business
What skills stand out on Online Marketing Strategist resumes?
John Ney: Internships or class project experience that show the student has helped develop a marketing strategy for a company is probably the most important but also marketing research skills.
What soft skills should all Online Marketing Strategists possess?
John Ney: -A positive "can-do" attitude. I'm often told by employers that "we can teach skills, but we can't teach attitude."
-Teamwork - the ability to work with others is more important now than ever.
-Communication skills, both oral and written.
What skills will help Online Marketing Strategists earn the most?
John Ney: -Sales skills - Most sales jobs are commission-based, and they are not capped.
-Everybody sells! Sales are really about building relationships, so having people and communication skills can really pay off!
What hard/technical skills are most important for Online Marketing Strategists?
John Ney: -With so many businesses advertising online, students that have experience with one or more of the following (video, blogging, graphic design, photography & websites) easily find jobs! This is the most requested skill set when employers are looking to hire interns.
-Writing skills - businesses need help writing everything from email responses to customers to a short job advertisement & or a marketing strategy.
Abhijit Roy
Professor of MarketingUniversity of Scranton
School of Management
What soft skills should all Online Marketing Strategists possess?
Abhijit Roy: These are very important, yet harder to quantify skills, not only for marketing professionals but for business graduates in general. They include the ability to make sound decisions under pressure, having a high emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) as embodied by having empathy towards coworkers and subordinates, delegating appropriately, mentoring, communicating, time management, maintaining positivity despite setbacks and adapting to unforeseen challenges, being flexible, being persuasive and assertive at appropriate moments, yet being collaborative, seeking feedback, and the ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts when needed, amongst others.
Soft skills are typically more instrumental in enabling candidates to fit into an organization's culture and be strong candidates for promotion. Most marketing jobs involve candidates representing their brand initiatives and building strong client relationships, so interpersonal, and other soft skills are often valued more than hard skills. The strongest case for having excellent soft skills is that they are more easily transferable across various jobs and industries.
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Houston - Downtown
Marilyn Davies College of Business
What soft skills should all Online Marketing Strategists possess?
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.: The need for soft skills are consistent through time. With our societal focus on social media, texting, emojis, etc. It appears to me companies are looking for the following:
- Active listening skills
- Willingness to be self-reflective and accept feedback
- Accept different perspectives. The collision of ideas creates knowledge
- Communicate to the listener (at their level). Flex communicators
- Cultural intelligence. Demographics changes will require better understanding of team member's, boss', customer's, etc. cultural context
How have salaries changed over time for Online Marketing Strategists?
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.: - There is a small trend in sales to minimize variable comp and increase salaries. There are a few (15 or so) Silicon Valley companies limiting commissions and focusing more on salaries
- You see a correlation between higher salaries and more complex sales processes. I see that trend continuing as more transactional sales will be automated
- Increase in pay for inside sales agents as more and more sales are being handled by inside sales agents (thanks to tech and change in buying behaviors)
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Online Marketing Strategist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.: You are already seeing these trends, which will increase in the months to come:
- More remote work away from an office. Flexibility will be key for employees with more control over their time and schedule
- The increase of video in all stages of a business. We feel more comfortable communicating via all the video communication options
- More application of AI and machine learning. Companies are finally figuring out its better to work smart
- Automated personality identification. For example, Crystal Knows can provide a person's DISC profile based on an individual's LinkedIn profile. This type of information will be used by recruiters to determine fit, plus at all other departments
- Training at all levels to accommodate virtual, technology, and cultural changes
- The need for individuals at all levels of an organization to possess (based on the level) analytical skills. Data is king and there is more and more demand for individuals who can identify, interpret, and implement decisions based on complex data analysis.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Online Marketing Strategists?
Anthony Cuomo: We have changed the ways in which we communicate with each other. Now, more than ever, we know that technology is pervasive and has revolutionized the way we communicate personally and professionally. Virtual interviews, online group meetings and presentations are the new norm. Job seekers who are able to communicate effectively online will have an advantage in our new context. I don't think Zoom meetings or Skype are going away any time soon. So, practicing how to sustain eye contact with a camera, being personable and communicating enthusiasm virtually will set you apart from other applicants.
What's a good job out of college for Online Marketing Strategists?
Anthony Cuomo: A job that you are passionate about and helps you begin your journey. Pursue jobs that spark your interest and also provide opportunities to learn, grow and seek out mentorship. Think long term and how you a strengthening your professional foundation while also providing opportunities to support yourself and your lifestyle.
What will help Online Marketing Strategists increase their earning potential?
Anthony Cuomo: Personally, every unpaid opportunity I pursued early on in my career led to a paid opportunity in the future. We should know our worth and expect our labor to be compensated, but we should also look at the bigger picture and identify service opportunities, volunteering and working outside of our required job duties provide new prospective, skills and a chance to develop our resumes. It pays off in the future.
J. Ian Norris Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing and Fellow, American Council on EducationBerea College
Economics and Business Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Online Marketing Strategists?
J. Ian Norris Ph.D.: There is little doubt that workers will continue some of their work remotely. This was a trend already underway before the pandemic that was greatly accelerated during the pandemic. In marketing specifically, many businesses had to shift business to online that had not been online before. It is likely that this will also have a lasting impact on how business is conducted. This was particularly true in the service industry and in arts and entertainment. The big take-home lesson for marketing graduates is that digital literacy has never been more important. All marketers are digital marketers, to some degree or another, today.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Online Marketing Strategists?
J. Ian Norris Ph.D.: Digital marketing skills are essential for any area of marketing. Luckily there are many online certifications available for this purpose. On the research side, Google Analytics offers a certification. It will also be valuable to know the analytics platforms on social media sites such as facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Conversely, all of these sites also offer training on digital advertising and promotion, such as Google AdWords. Any coursework in digital marketing that provides instruction in Search Engine Marketing (SEM) will also be highly valuable. Finally, digital video and editing skills are also quite valuable, as all kinds of companies and organizations are using the short video format for storytelling and brand advertising.
What will help Online Marketing Strategists increase their earning potential?
J. Ian Norris Ph.D.: No matter what area of marketing you are working in--in fact, no matter what job you are working in at all, statistical literacy is essential. There is so much data out there that data literacy will confer significant competitive advantage to those who can leverage it. This doesn't mean everyone has to be able to do regression modeling, but being able to interpret correlational patterns and draw actionable meaning from it will be a foundational skill. A big bonus would be some basic coding skills. Finally, it is worth mentioning that while most social media marketing still happens on Facebook, it will be essential to know platforms such as Instagram and TikTok for any products or services targeted to younger consumers.