A master’s degree in marketing opens new doors to a wide range of career paths and opportunities for professional growth. Graduates of master’s degree programs in marketing can pursue roles such as fundraising manager, chief marketing officer, director of marketing, or social media marketing supervisor — just a few examples of the marketing careers we’ll explore in this guide.
If you’re exploring graduate programs, you may be wondering what you can do with a master’s in marketing. This article will cover potential career paths, typical salary ranges for marketing graduates, future job market projections, and more to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
- Why Earn a Master’s in Marketing?
- 7 Master’s in Marketing Jobs
- Is a Master’s Degree in Marketing Worth it?
- Earn Your MS in Marketing Degree
Why Earn a Master’s in Marketing?
As a graduate student in a master’s degree program, you’ll build on your undergraduate studies and delve deep into the concepts, strategies, and analytical tools that are essential for competing in the modern business landscape. You’ll emerge from your master’s degree program with the ability to develop and execute complex marketing strategies, such as global pricing strategies, making you a more competitive candidate in the job market.
Another benefit of master’s degree programs is that they empower you to advance your career and increase your earning potential. Many employers prefer or even require candidates to hold a master’s degree for executive or management positions, such as marketing manager or director of marketing. Additionally, a master’s degree program provides opportunities to gain hands-on, practical experience through internships or projects, plus exposure to networking opportunities with peers, alums, and professionals in the industry.
Job Outlook for Master’s in Marketing Grads
The job outlook for people who hold a master’s degree in marketing is dependent on the specific career they decide to pursue. Overall, the marketing field is growing rapidly with high demand for employees with advanced degrees. For example, the sales management occupation is expected to see 6% growth through 2033, and fundraising management is expected to see 7% job growth — both surpassing the 4% national average.
Employer demand is particularly great for candidates with digital marketing expertise. As a recent article published in Forbes points out, “Digital marketing is one of the fastest growing in-demand skills for 2024, ranking in Coursera’s top 10 list in their Job Skills Of 2024 report.” The same article highlights particularly high demand for social media marketing skills, with the industry projected to be “worth $1.5 trillion by the year 2030.”
Salary Information for Master’s in Marketing Grads
What is the typical salary range for people who hold a master’s degree in marketing? The answer varies from person to person because your earnings depend on factors like:
- Your specific industry
- The size of the company you work for
- The state or city where you work
- Your experience level
- Your specific job role or title
For instance, salaries tend to be larger in major metropolitan areas with a high cost of living, for positions within larger corporations, and when entering highly niche or specialized roles.
With that in mind, here are a few examples of typical salaries for some of the jobs covered in this guide:
- Advertising Managers — $156,580
- Fundraising Managers — $130,480
- Sales Managers — $135,160
While earning potential is an important consideration, it’s equally necessary to consider non-financial factors like job satisfaction, company culture, growth opportunities, and finding the right balance between work and personal life.
7 Master’s in Marketing Jobs
Here are seven examples of in-demand careers you can pursue with a master’s degree in marketing:
- Sales Manager
- Brand Manager
- Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
- Advertising Manager
- Director of Marketing
- Social Media Marketing Supervisor
- Fundraising Manager
Let’s dive into the details of each of these roles, including typical tasks, responsibilities, and salary information.
1. Sales Manager
As a sales manager, you’ll be responsible for managing and overseeing the process of selling an organization’s product or service to a client.
As the BLS explains, your main duties as a sales manager will be to “set sales goals, analyze data, and develop training programs for… sales representatives.” This generally involves tasks like establishing sales targets, making sales projections, assessing the profitability of an organization’s products or offerings, reviewing budget-related issues, and developing sales training programs.
According to BLS records, the median salary for a sales manager was $135,160 in 2023, with the top 10% earning above $239,200. The highest-paying employers for sales managers are “professional, scientific, and technical services,” followed by financial and insurance organizations. Additionally, the field is expected to grow “faster than average” through 2033, with a projected job growth rate of 6% versus the national average of 4%.
2. Brand Manager
The main role of a brand manager is to craft — and maintain — a clear, distinctive brand identity that resonates with its target audience. As a brand manager, you’ll be responsible for tasks like performing market research, tracking performance metrics, developing effective marketing campaigns, and making decisions around the brand’s voice and messaging.
The BLS doesn’t provide salary data for brand managers. However, according to Indeed, “The average salary for a Brand Manager is $87,633 per year in [the] United States.”
3. Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
As a senior-level executive, the chief marketing officer or CMO is responsible for overseeing an organization’s overall marketing strategy and initiatives, which can include both digital and traditional marketing. The CMO plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s brand identity, determining its marketing budget, and driving customer engagement. Some of their typical duties include leading the marketing department, analyzing consumer trends, and deciding how company funds for marketing should be allocated, along with meeting and communicating with stakeholders.
Like the other job titles covered in this guide, CMO salaries vary by location, experience, and other factors. However, here are a few of the salary ranges that have been reported to leading employment sites:
- Built In — Up to around $220,00
- Indeed — Over $132,900 on average
- Salary.com — Reported salaries range between $317,470 and $431,620
4. Advertising Manager
The role of an advertising manager is to build excitement, interest, and positive “buzz” around a company’s product or service. They’re generally responsible for tasks like creating promotional campaigns, reviewing marketing materials, and negotiating ad contracts. To accomplish these goals, advertising managers frequently collaborate with art directors, creative agencies, and other designers.
According to the BLS, advertising managers earned a median salary of $156,580 in 2023. However, the top 10% earned more than $239,200. The top-paying industries for advertising managers were PR and advertising, followed by enterprise management, information, and wholesale trade.
5. Director of Marketing
Marketing directors are commonly confused with CMOs, a role we covered a little earlier. However, as the employment website LinkedIn explains, “A director of marketing typically reports to the CMO” — and, although they collaborate closely, a marketing director’s duties “are more focused on tactical implementation rather than overall strategy development.” For example, they might be responsible for implementing the company’s social media strategy, executing ad campaigns, and conducting competitor research.
The BLS doesn’t provide salary information for a director of marketing role but does provide data for “advertising, promotions, and marketing managers,” who earned median salaries of $156,580 in 2023. Here are some additional director of marketing salary ranges reported by other sources:
- Glassdoor — Above $190,700 on average
- Salary.com — Average base over $189,000
- ZipRecruiter — Average over $104,400
6. Social Marketing Supervisor
With more than 3 billion Facebook users, 2.4 billion Instagram users, and 1 billion TikTok users (and counting), social media has become a key pillar of virtually every company’s digital marketing strategy.
As a social marketing supervisor, you’ll be responsible for creating and implementing social media marketing campaigns that resonate with your target customers and propel business growth. Your job duties may include tasks like curating content, identifying social media trends, and analyzing social metrics like follower growth and audience size.
While the BLS doesn’t provide salary data for social media managers or supervisors, other sources have reported the following ranges:
- Glassdoor — Anywhere from around $50,000 to $91,000 per year
- Indeed — Average base of approximately $58,400
- ZipRecruiter — Over $64,800
7. Public Relations and Fundraising Manager
The BLS describes public relations (PR) and fundraising managers as professionals who “plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.” Some of their typical duties include identifying target audiences, designating and assisting corporate spokespeople, and creating press releases.
The largest number of fundraising managers are employed by colleges or universities, followed by grantmaking services, social advocacy groups, secondary or elementary schools, and other types of businesses.
According to BLS data, the median salary for a fundraising manager in 2023 was $119,200, and the top 10% of earners in the field made salaries exceeding $212,700. Plus, this field is expected to grow “faster than average,” with the BLS projecting 7% growth through 2033 compared to the national 4% average.
Is a Master’s Degree in Marketing Worth it?
There’s no question that you need to invest significant time and effort in order to earn a master’s degree. However, the potential rewards make it a worthwhile pursuit for many. Whether it’s the right path for you depends on your personal goals and interests, like what types of jobs you intend to apply for, what sorts of topics you’re passionate about studying, and what your cost of living and salary requirements might look like.
Here are a few potential benefits to consider when you’re deciding whether to pursue a master’s degree in marketing:
- More career growth opportunities. Earning a master’s degree qualifies you for a wider range of leadership and executive roles within organizations. Many employers prioritize candidates with advanced degrees for managerial and executive-level roles, such as becoming a director of marketing or CMO.
- Higher earning potential. BLS data shows that people who hold a master’s degree tend to earn higher salaries compared to people who hold bachelor’s or associate degrees. The advanced skills and knowledge that you’ll develop through your master’s program, like navigating international pricing regulations and using customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, can dramatically boost your earning potential over the course of your career.
- Gaining specialized expertise. Graduate marketing programs offer students the opportunity to specialize in niche areas such as digital marketing, brand management, consumer behavior, or international marketing. This specialized expertise can make you a more valuable asset to potential employers and differentiate you from generalists in the field.
Earn Your MS in Marketing Degree Online from National University
The Master of Science in Marketing at National University is a rigorous, fast-paced program that prepares students to compete in an increasingly crowded and complex landscape. As a student in the graduate marketing program at NU, you’ll explore topics like mobile marketing, social media marketing, global marketing, supply chain collaboration, consumer behavior, marketing research, and international business. Throughout the curriculum, you’ll gain valuable expertise in strategic marketing management, market structure, consumer theory, research methods, and other key aspects of marketing and advertising.
Our MS in Marketing program can be completed on campus or online, with courses available evenings and weekends for full-time and part-time students. Whether you’re looking to build on your bachelor’s degree in marketing, or you’re making a career change from a different industry, the convenient and flexible courses at NU can help you earn your degree faster. Contact admissions for more information, or apply online today.
This content has been reviewed and approved by the National University Editorial Advisory Board. Learn more about our editorial process.