In one way or another, every business in 2024 is using digital marketing. It’s a specialist role that is now as standard as accounting or human resources.
So it goes without saying that digital marketing managers, in particular, are in high demand.
But what is the digital marketing manager’s salary? And how does it vary according to location, experience, and company?
Look no further than our ultimate digital marketing manager salary guide, complete with all the most up-to-date salary data.
Often, a lack of salary transparency can make it difficult to know what we should expect from ourselves or if what we’re being paid is fair considering our experience level, the cost of living in our area, and the profession we’ve worked hard to succeed in.
By the end of this post, you should feel empowered to ask for a salary that truly reflects your skills and expertise and is in keeping with the wages of your particular country, city, or state.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Digital marketing manager salary overview
- Digital marketing manager salary by experience
- Digital marketing manager salary by location
- Wrap-up and next steps
- Digital marketing salary FAQs
1. Digital marketing manager salary overview
According to Zippia, the average salary for a digital marketing manager in the U.S. is $99,563 annually.
Digital marketing managers at the lowest end of that scale make approximately $71,000 per annum, while those who find themselves in the top 10 percent make roughly $138,000 per year.
As we shall see, location makes a big difference.
The states that currently offer the highest salaries for digital marketing managers are New Jersey, Virginia, New York, California, and Minnesota. The lowest salaries for this role are offered in Wyoming and Mississippi, where you could expect to earn closer to $21-$22.50 for every hour you work.
For comparison, here are the predictions from a few other sources for average US salaries for digital marketing managers:
- Built In: $87,769
- Salary.com: $123,483
- Glassdoor: $92,674
2. Digital marketing manager salary data based on years of experience
It’s standard practice for recruiters and employers to consider the number of years you’ve worked in an industry or a particular role when calculating a salary offer.
While those who are still relatively fresh to a field will start off at the lower end of the salary spectrum, you can expect your wages to increase significantly over time as you build knowledge and accumulate sought-after skills.
You’ll generally find this is the case, irrespective of the role’s location or the industry you’ve chosen to go into.
Let’s take a look at expected salaries for digital marketing managers based on experience:
Entry-level digital marketing manager salary:
- PayScale: $51,653
- Talent.com: $60,000
- Zippia: $71,000
Mid-level digital marketing manager salary:
Senior digital marketing manager salary:
- Zippia: $105,167
- Glassdoor: $146,634
Want to make that jump to senior-level salary as quickly as possible? In this video, CareerFoundry Chief Marketing Officer Ed Wood uncovers the secrets to jumping from junior to senior in rapid time.
3. Digital marketing manager salary by location
Digital marketing salary across the U.S.
The state where you live, work, and pay taxes will be one of the defining factors of how much you are able to earn as a digital marketing manager.
The cost of living varies greatly across U.S. states and will be reflected in the salaries offered to state residents. A liter of milk in San Francisco, California, for example, will set you back $1.81, while in Florence, Alabama that same liter of milk will cost you just $1.08 cents.
However, it’s worth considering that other factors will impact your salary. Your total number of years in a similar role, the industry you work in, your professional background and qualifications, and the size of the company you work in will all affect your total compensation, too.
Here, you’ll find data we’ve collected from experts on what you can expect to earn on average in the following U.S states and cities.
Digital marketing manager salaries in the northeast
- New York City, NY: $102,090 (Glassdoor)
- Boston, MA: $139,129 (Salary.com)
- Providence, RI: $88,571 (Built In)
- Portland, ME: $121,792 (Salary.com)
Digital marketing manager salaries in the southeast
- Savannah, GA: $81,274 (Salary.com)
- Washington, DC: $100,243 (Glassdoor)
- Miami, FL: $119,842 (Salary.com)
- Richmond, VA: $70,640 (PayScale)
Digital marketing manager salaries in the southwest
- Phoenix, AZ: $86,223 (Glassdoor)
- Austin, TX: $88,615 (BuiltInAustin)
- Colorado Springs, CO: $83,193 (Salary.com)
- Los Angeles, CA: $76,354 (PayScale)
Digital marketing manager salaries in the northwest
- Seattle, WA: $112,305 (Glassdoor)
- Portland, OR: $126,348 (Salary.com)
- Salt Lake City, UT: $61,445 (PayScale)
- Boise, ID: $75,286 (Built In)
Digital marketing manager salaries in the midwest:
- Chicago, IL: $93,811 (Glassdoor)
- Wichita, KS: $116,445 (Salary.com)
- Omaha, NE: $116,746 (Salary.com)
- Minneapolis, MI: $72,891 (PayScale)
Digital marketing manager salary around the world
The cost of living in different countries and cities worldwide varies dramatically and will directly impact the salary you can expect to be offered as a digital marketing manager.
Whether you’re already based in one of the areas we’ve included in the following global salary round-up or relocating to another country is something that you’re excited to consider, it’s worth doing some additional research into major expenses like rent, commuting, and the cost of a meal to see how far your salary will actually go.
With this information in hand, you can then make an informed choice about where you want to live while pursuing this career.
Here are the average digital marketing salaries around the world:
- France: €44,624
- Australia: AU$72,414
- United Kingdom: £44,640
- China: ¥255,000
- Brazil: R$202.793
6. Wrap-up and next steps
In this post, we shone a light on the different salaries you can expect to earn as a digital marketing manager, irrespective of your location and experience level, and answer some commonly asked questions about skills, training, and how to get started.
If you take away just one piece of advice from this post, let it be this: always do your salary research!
It’ll give you the confidence to ask for what you deserve when you start applying for your first positions in the field.
If this article has piqued your interest in the field of digital marketing, why not try out this free, self-paced short course, to see if the practical ins and outs are for you.
Check out the following posts for further reading on digital marketing:
- An introduction to the main marketing channels
- A complete guide to social media jobs
- What does a digital marketing analyst do?
7. Digital marketing manager salary FAQs
1. Is digital marketing high paying?
Digital marketing can be a highly lucrative field, with the potential for high-paying positions. The earning potential in digital marketing largely depends on factors such as the level of experience, expertise, industry specialization, and geographical location.
In general, professionals who possess strong skills in areas like search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content marketing, and data analysis tend to command higher salaries. Additionally, individuals who continually update their knowledge and adapt to the evolving trends in digital marketing have better chances of securing well-paying roles. While high salaries are attainable, it is important to note that individual earnings can vary and are influenced by multiple factors within the industry.
2. Is digital marketing a good career?
Digital marketing offers a promising career path for individuals who are passionate about leveraging online platforms to reach and engage target audiences. The field continues to grow rapidly as businesses increasingly recognize the importance of establishing a strong online presence. With a wide range of roles available, including digital marketing strategists, SEO specialists, content marketers, social media managers, and more, there are ample opportunities for career advancement and specialization.
Furthermore, digital marketing allows for a dynamic work environment, often involving creativity, data analysis, and staying up-to-date with emerging trends. As long as one is willing to continually learn, adapt, and develop their skills, digital marketing can be a fulfilling and rewarding career choice.
3. Do you need a degree to be a digital marketing manager?
While having a degree can be advantageous in many professions, it is not an absolute requirement to become a successful digital marketer. Digital marketing is a field that places significant emphasis on practical skills, creativity, and staying updated with the latest trends and technologies. Many professionals in this industry have gained their expertise through self-learning, online courses, certifications, and hands-on experience.
Building a strong portfolio showcasing practical experience, results-driven campaigns, and successful projects can often carry more weight than a formal degree. However, some employers may still prefer candidates with a relevant degree in marketing, communications, or a related field.
Ultimately, what matters most in digital marketing is a combination of skills, experience, a passion for the field, and the ability to demonstrate a track record of delivering successful marketing outcomes.
You can learn more about how to become a digital marketing manager in this step-by-step guide.