Marketing Manager Salary
The median annual wage for marketing managers in the United States is $166,790, about $80.19 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $123,020 to $216,410. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area the median is $132,580.
Data as of May 2025.
Marketing Manager pay by percentile
| Percentile | United States | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $90,260 | $87,510 |
| 25th percentile | $123,020 | $122,660 |
| Median (50th) | $166,790 | $132,580 |
| 75th percentile | $216,410 | $172,000 |
| 90th percentile | $293,610 | $224,700 |
| Mean (average) | $177,770 | $153,080 |
| Workers employed | 395,240 | 4,060 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly equivalent of the U.S. median: $80.19.
U.S. Range
10th to 90th percentile, annual wage
The shaded band is the middle half of workers: $123,020 to $216,410.
BLS counted 395,240 workers in "Marketing Managers" in May 2025. Their median annual wage was $166,790, so half earned less and half earned more. The mean was $177,770, pulled above the median by a smaller group of high earners. The lowest-paid tenth earned $90,260 or less and the highest-paid tenth earned $293,610 or more, about 3.3 times as much.
In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area BLS counted 4,060 workers, about 1.0% of the national total. The metro median of $132,580 is 21% below the national median.
BLS reports this occupation as "Marketing Managers" across every industry. Automotive marketing managers at dealership groups and manufacturers are included, along with marketing managers in many other fields.
Marketing Manager salary by state
Massachusetts has the highest state median at $212,020 and West Virginia the lowest at $98,750, a gap of $113,270. 11 of 48 state medians are above the national figure. Arizona ranks 33rd at $132,220, 21% below the national median. State medians ignore cost of living.
Ten Highest State Medians
Median annual wage, BLS
Median Pay by State
All 48 state medians. Hover or tap a state for the annual and hourly figures.
What affects marketing manager pay
- Scope sets the range. Managing a single store's advertising and digital presence is a smaller role than leading marketing for a multi-store group or a manufacturer region, and pay follows the budget and team size.
- Digital skills carry weight. Search, social, email and reputation management are central to how dealerships reach buyers, and managers who can show measurable results are well placed.
- Industry experience helps. Knowing the vehicle buying cycle, manufacturer co-op advertising rules and dealership reporting can shorten the learning curve.
- Because the BLS category spans all industries, use these figures as a reference range and compare with the details of a specific offer.
Career Path and Pay
Marketing managers usually come up through specialist roles such as digital advertising, content, events or brand, then take on a team and a budget. At a dealership group, that can mean owning advertising, the website and reputation across all stores.
Senior paths lead to director and vice president roles, or to manufacturer and agency positions. Pay at that level often includes bonuses linked to lead volume, sales or return on advertising spend.
What a Marketing Manager does
- Plan digital, print and in-store campaigns to bring in shoppers and service customers.
- Manage the advertising budget, vendors, website content and social media.
- Track lead sources and campaign results with sales and service leaders.
Marketing Manager salary: common questions
How much does a marketing manager make?
The median is $166,790 a year, about $80.19 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $123,020 to $216,410.
How much does a marketing manager make in Phoenix, Arizona?
The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ median is $132,580, about $63.74 an hour, and the middle half earns $122,660 to $172,000.
What do the highest- and lowest-paid marketing managers earn?
Nationally, the top tenth earn $293,610 or more and the bottom tenth earn $90,260 or less. BLS does not report pay by years of experience, so these are not formal entry-level or senior figures.
Which state pays marketing managers the most?
Massachusetts ($212,020), then California ($193,620) and Virginia ($187,820).
What education does a marketing manager need?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree and related work experience as typical for the occupation. Employers also look for proof of results, such as growing leads or lowering cost per sale.
What does a dealership marketing manager do?
They plan and manage advertising, the dealership website and search presence, social media, email and reputation, and report on how those efforts turn into leads and sales. Many also coordinate with the manufacturer on co-op advertising rules.
How is a marketing manager's performance measured?
Usually by results that connect spending to sales. Common measures include cost per lead, cost per vehicle sold, the share of leads that become appointments, and return on advertising spend. Which of these drive a bonus depends on the employer, so ask how targets are set before you accept an offer.
Does this salary data cover automotive dealerships only?
No. BLS reports this occupation as "Marketing Managers" across every industry. Automotive marketing managers at dealership groups and manufacturers are included, along with marketing managers in many other fields.
How these numbers are calculated
Wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates for May 2025. They cover wage and salary workers, count commissions and production bonuses, and leave out the self-employed, overtime and benefits. Hourly figures are the annual wage divided by 2,080 hours, a conversion AutoHire adds. A dash means BLS did not publish a figure.
BLS publishes May 2026 estimates in spring 2027. This page updates when they are released.
Sources
- BLS OEWS, Marketing Managers (11-2021), national, state and metropolitan estimates (data as of May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program overview and methods (data as of May 2025)
Data as of May 2025.
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