Director of Marketing Salary

By Henry R. Steele - January 8, 2018
Reading Time: 11 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Director of Marketing. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Director of Marketings.

Job Duties

Directors of marketing are responsible for directing and managing different marketing tasks for the organization. They line manage all other marketing professionals and determine the direction of marketing within the business. They create concepts and projects and budget for these, ensuring that the campaigns are successful.

At the same time, these professionals resolve team difficulties and develop relationships with vendors, clients, and internal teams. They facilitate internal communications in terms of requirements and needs pertaining to marketing, including the needs of the customer. They brainstorm, determine which technology to use, provide guidance to marketing developers, and measure success rates, putting efforts in place to improve successes in future.

Other job duties of a director of marketing are:

  • To be responsible for line management of staff within the advertising and marketing department
  • To hold budgetary responsibility
  • Toe be an expert and leader in all things relating to effective marketing campaigns
  • To hold overarching responsibility for the various marketing strategies of the the products and services in the organization
  • To remain up to date with changes in the market and ensure marketing strategies are fit for purpose

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 31,300 advertising, promotions, and marketing managers in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:

  • Advertising, public relations, and related services: 34%
  • Information: 12%
  • Management of companies and enterprises: 7%
  • Wholesale trade: 6%
  • Retail trade: 6%

How to Become

A director of marketing will generally hold a bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field as a minimum. They also have experience working in marketing and, preferably, of management. Some employers prefer candidates who hold marketing certifications as well.

Education Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is generally the minimum requirement for a director of marketing, as is proven experience in sales, promotions, marketing, and/or advertising. It is generally expected that a director of marketing has also completed courses in areas such as statistics, mathematics, computer science, finance, economics, management, and business law. This ensures that they are able to stay abreast of modern technological developments and how these influence the way in which marketing efforts have to be delivered. Using social media and online forms of communication, for instance, is a key element of this.

Work experience is equally important, however. Most directors of marketing come from a background in marketing, promotions, or advertising. They may also have been sales representatives, public relations specialist, purchasing agents, or buyers.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective directors of marketing have the following traits to some degree or other:

  • Excellent analytical skills
  • Great communication skills, both oral and written
  • Highly creative
  • Strong decision making skills
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Ability to multitask
  • Being a strong team player
  • Being able to work under minimal level of supervision
  • Excellent computer skills
  • Important time management skills
  • Being able to work under stress

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Director of Marketing was $90,048. This number is estimated from over 1,927,124 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $46.90 and monthly of $7,504.

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$20,000

$211,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Director of Marketing salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Massachusetts had the largest quoted salary of $114,993 while Mississippi had the smallest quoted salary of $50,058.

Alabama Kentucky New York
Arkansas Louisiana Ohio
Arizona Massachusetts Oklahoma
California Maryland Oregon
Colorado Maine Pennsylvania
Connecticut Michigan Rhode Island
DC Minnesota South Carolina
Delaware Missouri Tennessee
Florida Mississippi Texas
Georgia Montana Utah
Iowa North Carolina Virginia
Idaho Nebraska Vermont
Illinois New Jersey Washington
Indiana New Mexico Wisconsin
Kansas Nevada West Virginia
Alabama – $59,547 Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Criterion Executive Search, University of Alabama, Auburn University, and CCL.

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$14,000

$148,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas – $54,451 Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like New Promise, Inc and Chick-fil-A.

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$14,000

$135,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona – $78,596 Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ClearCall Solutions, StaffPointe, University of Arizona, and Platinum Realty Group.

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$18,000

$181,000

Salary Distribution
California – $107,043 Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Davalyn Corporation, SolarFlare Communications, EPM Scientific, and Dell.

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$26,000

$242,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado – $81,858 Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Painting Group, University of Colorado, Aurora Schools Federal Credit Union, and O’Kane Resourcing.

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$19,000

$188,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut – $96,403 Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like BRANDED SPORTS MEDIA, Cube Management, and Bohan & Bradstreet, Inc..

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$20,000

$229,000

Salary Distribution
DC – $98,817 Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Creative Group, Nigel Frank International, Canada Jobs and Careers, and Creative Circle.

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$30,000

$206,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware – $71,245 Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Canada Jobs and Careers and Regis and Smith.

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$14,000

$171,000

Salary Distribution
Florida – $71,426 Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, AccuSoft, The Creative Group, and Confidential-Private Equity.

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$15,000

$169,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia – $86,634 Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Creative Circle, Mason Frank International, Principle Solutions Group, and Robert Half The Creative Group.

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$19,000

$202,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa – $67,826 Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The University of Iowa and Palmer Group.

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$14,000

$170,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho – $57,513 Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Northwest Nazarene University, Bliss Business, and University of Idaho.

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$14,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois – $95,885 Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half The Creative Group, EPM Scientific, Medical Devices / Equipment, Chicago, IL, and The Creative Group.

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$21,000

$224,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana – $93,221 Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cameron Craig Group, The Job Jobber, fulltimeGiGS, and Step Beyond.

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$29,000

$192,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas – $67,905 Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Coffeyville Community College and Evantage Financial.

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$15,000

$158,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky – $72,539 Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Roanoke Valley Claims Service, Bluegrass Heritage Insurance Group, and Evantage Financial.

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$16,000

$168,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana – $60,499 Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like IT’s Mobile USA, State of Louisiana, IMD, and Evantage Financial.

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$14,000

$148,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts – $114,993 Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like EPM Scientific, A Leading Medical Device Company, PHAIDON INTERNATIONAL, and Beacon Hill Staffing.

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$37,000

$235,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland – $80,526 Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PTD, University of Maryland University College, The Creative Group, and Canada Jobs and Careers.

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$20,000

$182,000

Salary Distribution
Maine – $76,564 Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Student Living.

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$14,000

$191,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan – $81,676 Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ressco, Angela Leeper, local community blast inc, and Washtenaw Community College.

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$17,000

$193,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota – $96,637 Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Minnesota, Creative Circle, The Creative Group, and Personify.

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$25,000

$213,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri – $74,828 Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Admiral Solutions, Creative Circle, The Creative Group, and St. Agnes Home.

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$18,000

$170,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi – $50,058 Rank: 45th
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Mississippi.

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$14,000

$121,000

Salary Distribution
Montana – $54,310 Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like LC Staffing.

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$16,000

$114,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina – $83,223 Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like EPM Scientific, Robert Half Technology, Career Brokers, Inc., and The Job Jobber.

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$18,000

$196,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska – $69,750 Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, University of Nebraska, Base-Mend Solutions, and Evantage Financial.

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$18,000

$153,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey – $110,812 Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like DSR, The Alpine Group, Verizon, and AT&T.

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$29,000

$244,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico – $84,730 Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Employers Pro Advantage, PUEBLO OF SANDIA, and Evantage Financial.

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$25,000

$179,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada – $79,207 Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like East West Bridge, Vokaba, American Dream U, and Evantage Financial.

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$17,000

$185,000

Salary Distribution
New York – $106,213 Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Dream Shop, Hamilton Mayer, The Alpine Group, and Time Inc.

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$27,000

$236,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio – $83,400 Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Connor Group, local community blast inc, Roanoke Valley Claims Service, and Mason Frank International.

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$16,000

$202,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma – $72,449 Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CompSource Mutual Insurance Company and Evantage Financial.

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$19,000

$158,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon – $80,019 Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Oregon, Northwest Credit Union Associaiton, Cube Management, and Evantage Financial.

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$21,000

$176,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania – $92,986 Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Alpine Group, EPM Scientific, Cooper Staffing, and Robert Half The Creative Group.

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$22,000

$213,000

Salary Distribution
Rhode Island – $81,827 Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Canada Jobs and Careers and Regis and Smith.

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$23,000

$176,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina – $70,027 Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Phillips, COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON, and Winthrop University.

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$15,000

$165,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee – $75,885 Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Snelling, Memphis Menu Marketing, The Creative Group, and Storage Squad LLC.

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$16,000

$181,000

Salary Distribution
Texas – $84,441 Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TPI Staffing, SOUTHERN ASSURED HOME HEALTH LLC, Sozo Global Inc., and Texas Direct -Team Fusion Liferstyle (kyani).

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$18,000

$198,000

Salary Distribution
Utah – $81,245 Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PrincePerelson & Associates, Make Green Go Green, Local Community Blast, and The Wellness Company.

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$16,000

$196,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia – $70,679 Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Roanoke Valley Claims Service, George Mason University, and Legacy Foodservice Alliance.

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$14,000

$172,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont – $80,520 Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Spherion.

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$21,000

$177,000

Salary Distribution
Washington – $95,793 Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like StaffPointe, CyberCoders, Placed, and Creative Circle.

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$26,000

$209,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin – $77,800 Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like KERRY, Smarter Solutions, AHT Wisconsin Windows, and Ashford Martin Corporation.

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$16,000

$187,000

Salary Distribution
West Virginia – $64,108 Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Roanoke Valley Claims Service.

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$17,000

$142,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Director of Marketing. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer Name Location Average Salary
EPM Scientific North Carolina $223,624
Davalyn Corporation California $209,640
SolarFlare Communications California $200,000
Cube Management Connecticut $198,182
Hamilton Mayer New York $193,045
Dell California $182,837
The Alpine Group New York $180,466
DSR New Jersey $178,899
Verizon New Jersey $177,047
AT&T New Jersey $170,895
A Leading Medical Device Company Massachusetts $169,707
PHAIDON INTERNATIONAL Massachusetts $169,707
JBL Resources Michigan $168,262
Execu|Search New Jersey $166,253
Direct Sales Recruiting, LLC New Jersey $166,004

Learn More

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Henry R. Steele
Henry R. Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.Follow on Twitter.com

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