MBA in marketing salary in the United States

Marketers develop strategies to promote brands, products, and services in order to boost sales and drive profits. Although traditional advertising outlets such as television, radio, and print are still used, digital marketing has dramatically expanded in recent years, along with analytical tools that track campaigns and measure results.¹

Whether you’re interested in traditional or digital marketing, demand is high for marketing professionals—particularly those with the business knowledge and skills that come with an MBA. This blog will explore average MBA salaries in different marketing roles and some considerations relevant to increasing your salary throughout your career.¹

Average salary for marketing MBAs in the United States

The national average salary for marketing MBA graduates at all career levels and in all industries ranges from $127,000 to $225,000 annually. This includes an average base pay of $85,000 to $146,000 and bonuses ranging from $43,000 to $79,000.²

Salaries for professionals with one to three years of experience are lower, but still far exceed the national average. They range between $96,000 and $172,000 yearly, including a base pay of $69,000 to $122,000 and bonuses ranging from $27,000 to $50,000.²

Professionals with four to six years of experience make an average annual salary of $110,000 to $188,000, which includes a base pay of $80,000 to $133,000 and bonuses of $30,000 to $55,000.²

Senior marketers with 15-plus years of experience make significantly more, with an average annual salary of $140,000 to $235,000. This average includes a base pay of $101,000 to $161,000 and bonuses ranging from $39,000 to $73,000.²

Top-paying industries for marketing MBAs

Marketing professionals work in all industries, but some are more lucrative than others. The information technology industry, for example, offers top-paying marketing roles.² Marketing positions within the tech industry can include roles involving communications, demand and operations, product marketing, and creative and brand marketing. Each of these roles contributes to tech companies' success.³

The financial industry also offers particularly well-paying marketing positions.² For financial services and investment firms, marketing roles can involve using data-driven strategies to drive growth and innovation and build brand authority.

Additionally, the healthcare industry can offer marketing roles with high salaries.² Healthcare marketers can work for large organizations or small practices to spread the word and promote healthcare services.

Lucrative marketing roles can also be found within the retail industry.² Marketing roles within this industry can involve brand management and advertising for businesses that sell their products directly to consumers.

Factors that influence marketing MBA salaries

There are several key factors that influence MBA salaries. Experience is one of the factors that will have the biggest influence on how much you make. When you’re first starting out in an entry-level position, you’ll probably make the least, with significant salary increases as you gain experience and take on more senior roles.²

Location is another factor that has important salary implications. Washington has the highest average pay for all marketing roles in the U.S. at $77,005, while Florida has the lowest, at $50,808.⁴

Examples of salary ranges by role

Another major contributing factor to your salary is what role you perform—and there are many different marketing roles available within and across industries.⁵ You can increase your earning potential by taking on roles with more responsibility as you gain experience and qualifications.

Chief marketing officer

Chief marketing officer (CMO) is a C-suite level role in marketing. The CMO works with the rest of the C-suite to develop a marketing strategy that aligns with the business's overall objectives.⁶ This senior-level position is a top-paying role in the industry, with a median annual salary of $303,000.⁷

Product marketing director

A product marketing director is in charge of the marketing efforts for specific products or product lines. Their duties can include pricing, packaging, and marketing the product to the target audience. Leaders in this senior-level role work with relevant stakeholders to develop communication and campaign strategies to increase the demand for their products.⁶ The median annual salary for this role is $265,000.⁸

Vice president of business development

A VP of business development identifies new opportunities for expansion and revenue growth. Professionals in this role also manage a broad range of marketing communication efforts, including website development and search engine optimization. Additionally, they compile ROI data on marketing campaigns and perform competition analyses and pricing research.⁶ This senior-level position has a median annual salary of $371,000.⁹

Marketing research director

A marketing research director is another senior-level marketing position that’s ideal for people with strong analytical skills. Marketing research directors are tasked with designing and carrying out studies to promote marketing efforts. They then share their research with relevant stakeholders in the form of data visualizations and reports.⁶ The median annual salary for a marketing research director is $148,000.¹⁰

Challenges in achieving high salaries

Despite the lucrative potential of an MBA in marketing, professionals often face several challenges on the path to top-tier salaries. One key hurdle is balancing the immediate demands of fast-paced marketing roles with the need for ongoing personal skill development. As marketing evolves rapidly—particularly with the rise of digital platforms and data-driven strategies—professionals must continuously hone their expertise to remain competitive. This requires a proactive commitment to learning, such as through attaining certifications, participating in workshops, or completing advanced analytics coursework. Additionally, staying abreast of emerging trends and technologies, such as artificial intelligence, customer personalization tools, and evolving social media platforms, is essential. Failing to keep pace can hinder one's ability to deliver innovative strategies that drive measurable business results, ultimately impacting earning potential.

Use your skills to drive revenue growth through marketing

Are you looking to accelerate your business career? The online MBA program at the University of Kansas can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in high-level marketing roles. Through our rigorous curriculum, you’ll develop deep business expertise that will help you create and implement strategic and innovative business plans. You’ll also join the extensive Jayhawk network and form lasting, impactful professional connections. Review our admissions requirements and reach out to one of our admissions outreach advisors today to get started.