Marketing Careers: 2025 Guide to Career Paths, Options & Salary
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
Marketers are responsible for spreading the word about their company’s services and products. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics describes marketers as the ones who surveil market trends, initiate marketing campaigns, set up pricing schemes and targeting strategies, and promote awareness of what they offer (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2023).
As simple as it may seem, marketing gets more complicated as you try to break it down. At the same time, it is also marvelously dynamic and offers job positions to individuals of all talents and strengths. Whether you are armed with analytical mastery or creative competence, marketing has a place for you.
This article lists the best marketing careers, including what marketers do, how to get into the workforce, and common jobs for marketers. Analyzing data that our research team has compiled, we can help you sketch out your plans and determine your career goals in marketing.
Marketing Careers Table of Contents
- Why pursue a career in marketing?
- Marketing Career Outlook
- Required Skills for Marketing
- How to Start Your Career in Marketing
- How can I advance my career in marketing?
- How does data analytics enhance marketing effectiveness?
- What is the role of higher education in building a career in marketing?
- How can creative writing enhance marketing impact?
- How Will Emerging Technologies Impact Marketing Careers?
- How can building a strong professional network accelerate your marketing career?
- How can I create a successful marketing portfolio?
- Alternative Career Options for Marketing
- How can visual design expertise strengthen your marketing impact?
- How can professional development programs shape your marketing career?
- How can a fast social media marketing online degree accelerate your marketing career?
- How can you overcome common marketing career challenges?
Why pursue a career in marketing?
There is no escaping marketing, making it a ubiquitous component of our experiences. No wonder, this career direction can be put to many good uses. There is no degree of attribute that is too trivial to ignore when your clientele is the people. Any type of understanding of human nature and psychology is fair play for marketing. You may be wondering, “Is marketing a good career?" There are some things you can do to make sure you are seeking the right marketing careers such as securing a bachelor’s degree, which can already qualify you as an SEO specialist or content marketer. But opportunities in marketing do not stop there.
You can also try getting into the PR if you’re curious with what can you do with a public relations degree. Events and ecommerce industries are good paths as well. If you get into grad school, you can be hired for leadership roles in diverse industries. Since it is part of every business, marketing is a long-lasting career path.
CAs for marketing careers salary, marketing strategists can earn between $51,000 to $152,000 annually. The additional pay, including cash bonus, tips, commissions, and profit sharing, is estimated at $19,774 annually (Glassdoor, 2022).
See what makes marketing a purposeful career, marketing degree requirements, and how to kick off and improve your career in the field.
Marketing Career Outlook
There are tons of ways a brand can advertise its services and products, but it can do better with an effective marketing team. In Statista’s 2021 study, marketing careers are forecast to increase by 10% from 2021 to 2031, a faster pace than any other career, and presumably not ending at any time.
Marketing is also a good choice for remote workers, as another Statista survey discovered that 35% of American employees have been offered full-time remote work setups. Marketing remote jobs grew by 177% in 2021 as well (LinkedIn, 2021). An added perk when working remotely is the opportunity to enroll in online marketing graduate programs, which can further advance your career.
Required Skills for Marketing
Marketers use both their innate skills and learned experience to be good at what they do. Generally, formal education is compulsory and marketing practicums are advised. Featured below are the pointers needed to succeed in various marketing careers paths.
Essential Skills for Marketing
Today, marketers must be able to master the use of different types of digital marketing tools. These tools make it easier to plan and publish content, segment and engage audiences, and manage campaigns for SEO and social media marketing. Below are some of these tools:
Marketing automation systems. Many enterprises mandate their marketing teams to be skilled at using marketing automation systems. These systems are used for publishing content on various channels, tracking metrics, and automating marketing tasks.
But companies should also be careful about utilizing these systems. According to a study by Corsaro et al. titled “Sales and marketing automation in the post-COVID-19 scenario: value drivers in B2B relationships" and published in the Italian Journal of Marketing in 2021:
“55% of participants reported difficulties in obtaining real-time data to feed into their systems. This is specifically due to potential costs associated with data acquisition and data privacy… However, sometimes the implementation of chatbots and conversational AI does not live up to the promise as lacking in relationship-building skills and emotional engagement that are fundamental in B2B settings. On the other hand, these solutions could lead to overwhelmed customers (47%), who end up receiving several communications and interaction requests, which are quite often not relevant to their current needs. This can potentially harm the relationship with final customers and result in them leaving the company."
Content management platforms. These platforms are used to create, take forward, and publish content on websites. Content in these platforms is usually kept in a database and demonstrated in a presentation layer based on some templates such as a website. With these, you can control the design of your website, incorporate multimedia in your posts, arrange your content by categories and tags, and so much more.
Graphic design programs. Marketers may be also tasked to make designs to further marketing campaigns. This means they need to be able to use Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop programs.
SEO tools. SEO capabilities are nice to have too. This is to help brands land the leading results on search engines. It also helps them have an extensive view of their website’s leverage, shortcomings, threats, and opportunities.
General Skills
Written and verbal communication. Every marketing position entails multiple forms of communication. Marketers may talk with their colleagues and clients every day in person or via phone calls and/or email. These roles necessitate frequent communication of strategies and objectives through written and verbal structures.
Time management and organization. Marketers allot most of their time fulfilling many tasks all at the same time. Clients and their supervisors may also expect them to constantly beat strict deadlines.
Creativity. Marketers will have to communicate their plans or ideas to clients. They are also expected to develop creative campaigns for their leadership. Hence, creativity is another key to becoming an effective marketer.
How to Start Your Career in Marketing
What can you do with a business marketing degree? There are many marketing career paths possible, and each one contributes to various phases in a marketing campaign, be it planning, developing, or assessing outcomes. You can start your marketing career by obtaining an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
What can I do with an associate’s degree in marketing?
Marketing Assistant
This job benefits those who are new to the marketing landscape as they will learn about the kinds of higher-level marketing professions they might want to take in the future. A marketing assistant often assists a marketing leader with his or her clerical and administrative tasks, communicate with clients or customers to answer their questions and other concerns, gather and input data on marketing strategies, and write and coordinate press releases.
Median salary: $48,602 per year
Social Media Marketing Coordinator
Social media coordinators create and facilitate social media campaigns for their companies. They develop content for social media, handle and monitor paid social campaigns, and keep up with new social media trends. This role requires creativity, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and an understanding of social media platforms.
Median salary: $38,989 per year
What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in marketing?
SEO Specialist
Marketing career options today include digital marketing jobs such as SEO specialists. SEO specialists study and enhance digital content to ensure it ranks high in search engine results. They figure out how to drive traffic to their websites and spot trends by regularly testing and evaluating data. They also evaluate data before and after executing paid search campaigns.
Median salary: $52,856 per year
Account Manager
Account managers are hired by marketing firms and agencies. They deal with clients and customers and form relationships with them by maintaining consistent communication, devising marketing strategies, and overseeing campaigns.
Median salary: $54,370 per year
Content Marketer
Content marketers develop several forms of content, which include blogs, whitepapers, video scripts, eBooks, and website copy. They are also knowledgeable of SEO principles to have their content placed well in search engines.
Median salary: $60,566 per year
Can you get a marketing job with just a certificate?
You may be wondering “What jobs are in marketing for those with a certificate?" Many industry experts believe that the only way to excel in the field is by learning beyond the four-walled classrooms. Thus, a certificate can be a good stepping stone to becoming a marketer. You can get one from an extension school, a community college, online courses, or a graduate school. With a marketing certificate, you can qualify for the best marketing careers at advertising agencies, marketing companies, fundraising and philanthropy organizations, and sales departments.
How can I advance my career in marketing?
You can form your career development plan in marketing and improve your marketing job salary. through continuing education. Courses in these programs may cover topics, such as marketing analytics, customer-focused marketing, and social media marketing.
You can also have the advantage by aiming for concentrated work experiences, like fellowship programs or internships. Joining professional organizations, enrolling in open courseware, and trying professional networking opportunities can also give you a good head start.
Master’s Degree Requirements
Before enrolling in a marketing master’s degree, most schools require that an applicant already be a bachelor’s degree holder. At the University of Minnesota, admission requirements include:
- Completion and submission of an online application for the Master of Marketing program
- A resume
- An applicant statement
- Two recommendations
- Video essay
- A $75 application fee
- Interview (by invitation only)
- English language test score (if applicable)
- GMAT or GRE scores (optional)
The application deadlines are on April 1, 2023 (Round 3 and the final deadline for international students), June 1, 2023 (Round 4), and July 15, 2023 (Round 5).
Certifications
You can become a professional certified marketer by pursuing the PCM credential at the American Marketing Association (AMA). This program offers tracks in marketing management, digital marketing pro, sales management, or content marketing. A PCM certification requires a passing score on an exam administered by ACM.
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (AUB) also offers certifications in digital ad operations, digital media sales, and digital media buying and planning. For big corporations, IAB has group training sessions in store for them.
What can I do with a Master’s in Marketing?
Product Marketing Manager
Product marketing managers must have a good grasp of their company’s offerings. They must think of complex marketing methodologies that drive revenue and shape brand awareness.
Median salary: $89,610 per year
SEO Director
These directors enhance the online presence of their companies through SEO techniques. This role is a combination of IT and marketing. SEO directors are leaders, have top-notch technical skills, and can understand patterns in internet user communication.
Median salary: $93,510 per year
Which certification is best for marketing?
AMA’s PCM certification and IAB’s certification make you eligible for the best marketing careers. When it comes to getting certifications for specialized skills, Google has the Google Analytics certification for those with sophisticated proficiency in the field. Twitter also offers the Flight School training to help aspirants pick up advertising on the site. For business owners, Facebook Blueprint offers numerous certification exams for marketers to demonstrate their marketing command.
How does data analytics enhance marketing effectiveness?
Data analytics has become an essential component in refining marketing strategies and measuring their success. By utilizing data, marketers can gain valuable insights into consumer behavior, track campaign performance, and make more informed decisions, leading to increased efficiency and impact.
- Personalized Marketing: Data analytics allows marketers to tailor content and campaigns to specific audience segments, improving engagement and conversion rates by delivering messages that resonate with individual preferences and behaviors.
- Enhanced Decision-Making: Through real-time data analysis, marketers can adjust strategies mid-campaign, optimizing budgets and efforts to target high-performing channels and demographics.
- Predictive Insights: Predictive analytics can forecast trends and consumer needs, enabling marketers to anticipate market changes and proactively shape campaigns, rather than reacting to lagging indicators.
- Improved ROI Measurement: With analytics tools, marketers can precisely measure return on investment (ROI), identifying which campaigns or platforms yield the best results and allocating resources accordingly.
Incorporating data analytics empowers marketers to optimize their strategies, making campaigns more responsive, cost-effective, and aligned with consumer demand.
What is the role of higher education in building a career in marketing?
In a constantly evolving marketing landscape, higher education provides a solid foundation and the competitive edge needed to excel. Pursuing specialized programs such as digital marketing degrees offers a deeper understanding of cutting-edge tools and strategies pivotal in today's market. These degrees cover essential areas like SEO, consumer analytics, brand management, and social media marketing, which are indispensable for modern marketers.
For professionals seeking to carve a niche in high-demand marketing roles, investing in structured learning goes beyond just skill acquisition. It also broadens networking opportunities and opens doors to leadership positions. Additionally, employers often prioritize candidates with formal credentials, making higher education a worthy addition to any career strategy.
By focusing on programs that align closely with industry demands, you can ensure a smoother pathway to achieving your career goals. Explore various digital marketing degree options to begin or enhance your journey in the field.
How can creative writing enhance marketing impact?
Creative writing offers marketers an avenue to refine narrative skills and evoke authentic engagement through storytelling. By integrating creative techniques, professionals can craft compelling messages that resonate with target audiences and differentiate a brand in a competitive market. Developing such skills not only enriches content creation but also promotes strategic thinking in campaign development. To further explore the benefits of advanced creative studies, consider learning more in our guide What can you do with a masters in writing?
How Will Emerging Technologies Impact Marketing Careers?
Emerging technologies are transforming marketing roles by integrating advanced analytics, AI, and immersive digital experiences into everyday practices. Marketers are now expected to leverage data-driven insights for precise audience targeting and campaign optimization, while also adopting tools like augmented reality and chatbot automation to enhance customer engagement. Strategic thinking that incorporates these innovations is vital for career growth in a tech-evolving landscape, and pursuing creative advanced degrees—such as an online MFA—can provide a competitive edge in merging artistic vision with modern marketing strategies.
How can building a strong professional network accelerate your marketing career?
Developing a strategic professional network is crucial for long-term success in marketing. Engaging with industry peers, mentors, and thought leaders not only opens doors to collaborative opportunities but also provides insights into evolving market dynamics. Leveraging online communities, professional associations, and targeted events enables marketers to gain firsthand knowledge, share best practices, and secure referrals for advanced roles. In addition, cultivating relationships within related fields, such as communications career paths, can broaden your perspective and foster innovative approaches to problem-solving in a competitive landscape.
How can I create a successful marketing portfolio?
A marketing portfolio is essential for showcasing your skills, experience, and creativity. Whether looking for an entry-level position or aiming to land a senior role, a well-crafted portfolio can significantly boost your chances of standing out to potential employers or clients. Here's how you can build a marketing portfolio that highlights your strengths:
- Showcase Real Projects: Include examples of real marketing campaigns you've worked on, whether during internships, freelance work, or as part of your academic projects. For instance, if you pursued an accelerated marketing degree online, you may have worked on a capstone project or other hands-on campaigns that you can showcase. These real-world examples will demonstrate your skills in action, especially when you highlight the specific strategies you implemented and the outcomes you achieved.
- Highlight Results: Marketing is all about results. Be sure to include metrics that show how your efforts led to measurable success. This could be increased website traffic, improved conversion rates, or higher engagement levels on social media.
- Include a Diverse Range of Work: A strong marketing portfolio should showcase various work demonstrating versatility. This could include content marketing, SEO strategies, branding, email campaigns, and more. The more well-rounded your portfolio, the more attractive it will be to employers looking for multi-skilled marketers.
- Showcase Personal Projects or Volunteer Work: If you're just starting, personal projects or volunteer work can make up a big portion of your portfolio. Whether you ran a social media campaign for a non-profit or created a personal blog, these examples show initiative and creativity.
- Keep It Organized and Professional: Make sure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Display your work on a professional website or digital platform and avoid clutter. Clean, simple layouts will make your portfolio stand out.
Alternative Career Options for Marketing
Transitioning to unconventional careers in marketing may be more helpful for long-serving marketers to keep their skills relevant. Familiarizing oneself with these roles can help them come across the role that fits their skill set and career passions.
What else can a marketer do?
Business Development Specialist
Business development specialists single out new customer segments and business opportunities for their organizations. They may also build new services and products, design sales and marketing strategies, and perform research.
Median salary: $56,222 per year
Human Resources Specialist
HR specialists employ and train new hires in a company. As a marketer with adequate customer acquisition proficiency, you can create comprehensive employee acquisition, communication, and retention blueprints.
Median salary: $66,265 per year
Web Developer
Web developers think up websites and web pages and are at the helm of their technical aspects. This career is for marketers with high technical knowledge and deep understanding of website analytics.
Median salary: $77,027 per year
How can visual design expertise strengthen your marketing impact?
Visual design plays a pivotal role in conveying brand identity and engaging audiences. Marketers with advanced design skills can create visually compelling content that reinforces messaging, enhances user experience, and builds brand credibility across digital platforms. Furthermore, a refined visual strategy aids in consistent storytelling and effective communication of key value propositions. Investing in creative training, such as pursuing an online degree for graphic design, can provide marketers with the expertise needed to translate abstract concepts into impactful visual narratives.
How can professional development programs shape your marketing career?
Continuing education through professional development programs can significantly boost your marketing career by enhancing your skills, expanding your knowledge, and helping you stay competitive in a rapidly changing field. These programs are designed to provide practical expertise that directly aligns with the demands of modern marketing. Here’s how professional development can benefit you:
- Up-to-Date Knowledge: Professional development courses help you stay current with the latest trends, tools, and techniques in marketing. This is especially important as digital marketing strategies, data analytics, and consumer behavior are constantly evolving.
- Specialized Skill Enhancement: Many development programs focus on niche areas of marketing, such as SEO, social media marketing, email campaigns, or content strategy. By acquiring specialized skills, you can position yourself as an expert in a specific marketing domain, opening up new career opportunities.
- Career Advancement: Completing professional development programs can make you a more competitive candidate for promotions and new roles. Whether you’re aiming for a management position or looking to specialize in a certain area, these programs demonstrate your commitment to growth and your desire to take on new challenges.
- Networking and Connections: Many professional development programs offer networking opportunities, where you can meet industry professionals, potential mentors, and like-minded peers. These connections can help you learn from others’ experiences and lead to new job opportunities.
- Flexible Learning Options: Many of these programs are available online, offering flexibility for working professionals. For example, an affordable online master's degree in communications can allow you to balance your career while developing advanced communication skills essential for marketing leadership roles.
- Certifications and Credentials: Earning certifications through professional development courses can help you gain credibility in the marketing field. Certifications in areas like digital marketing, analytics, and content strategy are recognized by employers and can make your resume stand out.
What Are the Best Online Degree Programs for Aspiring Marketers?
To become a successful marketer, it's crucial to have the right education and training. With the rise of online learning, it's now possible to earn a degree in marketing from the comfort of your own home. If you're looking for an affordable and flexible way to start your marketing career, consider pursuing a social media marketing degree online. This type of degree program can provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the field of marketing, including social media marketing, SEO, and content creation.
How can a fast social media marketing online degree accelerate your marketing career?
Pursuing a streamlined digital credential can provide immediate access to emerging tactics and hands‐on tools that are vital for success in today’s marketing landscape. A rapidly completed, specialized program equips professionals with updated methodologies and agile strategies that can lead to quicker role transitions and enhanced project outcomes. Investing in a specialized educational pathway also offers targeted learning in advanced analytics, content personalization, and strategic social engagement—all critical in a highly competitive market. For more details on expedited educational options, consider taking a fast social media marketing online degree.
How can you overcome common marketing career challenges?
Marketers frequently face a dynamic environment where technological advancements, shifting consumer behavior, and evolving digital platforms create ongoing challenges. To maintain a competitive edge, it is essential to continuously update your skill set through targeted learning and real-world practice. Embracing ongoing professional training, refining data-driven decision-making abilities, and committing to agile strategy adjustments are crucial. In addition, integrating creative storytelling into campaigns can address content saturation and audience engagement concerns. For a cost-effective option to enhance narrative skills, explore the cheapest online creative writing degree programs. Adopting these strategies can help mitigate uncertainties and empower you to adapt successfully in a rapidly changing market.
What Makes a Champion Marketer
Many businesses succeed and fail in their marketing strategies, apparently transcribing the very essence of marketing. Commercials and taglines aside, high-quality marketing comes from learned, well-versed, and go-getting marketers.
Most of all, they tell the truth. One of the most hard-to-change beliefs about marketing is that it is a dishonest profession. While some may resort to this avenue, the best marketers do not have to (Gambardella, 2020).
Key Insights
- High Demand and Growth: Marketing careers are expected to grow by 10% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations, indicating strong job prospects and increasing demand for skilled marketers.
- Diverse Opportunities: Marketing offers a wide range of career paths, including SEO specialists, content marketers, public relations, event management, and customer relationship management, catering to different strengths and interests.
- Essential Skills: Success in marketing requires a combination of technical skills (like SEO and graphic design), communication abilities, creativity, and time management. Proficiency in digital marketing tools and automation systems is increasingly important.
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Marketing is well-suited for remote work, with significant growth in remote marketing jobs. This flexibility allows for continued education and professional development through online courses and certifications.
- Educational Pathways: A bachelor’s degree in marketing or related fields is typically required to enter the workforce, with opportunities for further advancement through master’s degrees and professional certifications.
- Certifications and Continued Learning: Certifications from organizations like the American Marketing Association (AMA) and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) enhance career prospects and demonstrate specialized expertise in areas like digital marketing and sales management.
FAQ
1. What educational background is required to start a career in marketing?
A bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field is typically required to start a career in marketing. This degree provides foundational knowledge in marketing principles, consumer behavior, and market research.
2. What are some essential skills needed for a successful career in marketing?
Essential skills for marketing include written and verbal communication, creativity, time management, organization, and proficiency in digital marketing tools like SEO software, content management systems, and graphic design programs.
3. How can I advance my career in marketing?
Advancing in marketing can be achieved through continued education, obtaining certifications (such as PCM from AMA or digital media certifications from IAB), gaining specialized work experience, and building a professional network. Pursuing a master’s degree in marketing can also lead to leadership roles.
4. Are there remote work opportunities in marketing?
Yes, marketing offers numerous remote work opportunities. The flexibility of digital marketing roles, such as social media management, content creation, and SEO, makes them well-suited for remote work. This trend has grown significantly, with a 177% increase in remote marketing jobs in recent years.
5. What are some common entry-level jobs in marketing?
Common entry-level marketing jobs include marketing assistant, social media marketing coordinator, SEO specialist, and content marketer. These positions provide a foundation in various aspects of marketing and offer opportunities for growth and specialization.
6. Can I get a marketing job with just a certificate?
Yes, a marketing certificate can help you qualify for entry-level positions, especially if you gain practical experience through internships or projects. Certificates from recognized institutions or online courses can enhance your skills and make you more competitive in the job market.
7. What is the median salary for marketing professionals in different roles?
Salaries vary by role and experience. For example, marketing assistants earn a median salary of $48,602 per year, SEO specialists earn $52,856, and product marketing managers can earn around $89,610 annually. Higher-level positions, like marketing managers and directors, can earn over $100,000 annually.
8. What are some alternative career options for experienced marketers?
Experienced marketers can transition to roles such as business development specialists, human resources specialists, or web developers. These roles leverage marketing skills in new contexts, offering opportunities for career growth and diversification.
9. What makes a good marketer?
A good marketer possesses a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and technical proficiency. They are adept at understanding consumer behavior, developing compelling campaigns, and using data to drive marketing strategies.
10. How can professional certifications enhance my marketing career?
Professional certifications demonstrate specialized expertise and commitment to the field. They can make you more competitive in the job market, open up advanced career opportunities, and increase your earning potential. Certifications from organizations like AMA and IAB are highly regarded in the industry.
References:
- Corsaro, D., Maggioni, I., & Olivieri, M. (2021). Sales and marketing automation in the post-covid-19 scenario: Value drivers in B2B relationships. Italian Journal of Marketing, 2021(4), 371-392. DOI
- Decker, A. (2022, September 8). The Best Marketing Jobs and Careers for You to Pursue in 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from HubSpot.
- Gambardella, S. (2020, August 28). Six Reasons to Become a Marketer. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from LinkedIn.
- Glassdoor. (2022, September 15). Marketing Strategist Salaries. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from Glassdoor.
- Kshirsagar, A. (2021, June 15). Reimagining the Marketing Role in a New World of Work. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from LinkedIn.
- Statista. (2022, July 22). Share of employed Americans who have been offered remote work options in the United States in 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from Statista.
- University of Minnesota. (n.d.). Application Requirements. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from University of Minnesota.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, September 8). What Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers Do. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Wilson, S. (2022, July 12). Marketing Jobs A Comprehensive Guide to Jobs in the Marketing Industry. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from LiberalArtsEDU.org.
