New research from Robert Half shows strong compensation in the marketing field, with C-suite positions topping $200,000 and growing demand for digital and user experience roles. Here are the top-paying marketing jobs ranked by median salary:

1. Chief Marketing Officer – $200,250
2. Vice President of Marketing – $168,250
3. User Experience (UX) Director – $164,000
4. Vice President of Public Relations – $136,000
5. Marketing Director – $131,750
6. Creative Director – $131,500
7. Information Architect – $118,500
8. Media Director – $117,250
9. Account Director – $117,000
10. Product Manager (Marketing/Creative) – $116,250
11. UX Designer – $115,250
12. Communications/PR Director – $114,500
13. Marketing Analytics Manager – $113,500
14. Product Marketing Manager – $111,750

Geographic Differences In Marketing Job Pay

These salaries represent national medians. Pay can vary significantly based on location, with major tech hubs and coastal cities typically offering higher compensation. For example, a UX Director in New York City has a median salary of $223,860 vs. a similar role in Fort Wayne, Indiana at $137,760.

To view salary ranges in a specific city, use the Robert Half salary by category lookup.

Chief Marketing Officer – $200,250

Range ( 25th – 75th percentile): $170,500 – $243,750

The top marketing position in most organizations is the CMO. Chief Marketing Officers set overall marketing strategy and direction. They work directly with the CEO and other C-suite executives to align marketing with business goals. The role requires extensive experience and a track record of successful marketing leadership. CMOs typically manage large teams and budgets while maintaining relationships with key stakeholders.

Vice President of Marketing – $168,250

Range: $145,000 – $193,750

VPs of Marketing run major segments of a company’s marketing operations or lead all marketing in mid-sized organizations. They translate high-level strategy into actionable plans and oversee their execution. The role requires strong leadership skills and deep marketing expertise.

User Experience (UX) Director – $164,000

Range: $136,500 – $188,000

UX Directors lead teams that design digital products and services. They ensure all user touchpoints work seamlessly together. This relatively new role commands high pay due to increasing focus on digital customer experience. UX Directors need both design vision and technical understanding.

Vice President of Public Relations – $136,000

Range: $116,750 – $162,500

These executives manage corporate reputation and communications strategy. They handle crisis communications, media relations, and strategic messaging. The role requires excellent communication skills and sound judgment under pressure.

Marketing Director – $131,750

Range: $112,250 – $166,000

Marketing Directors develop and execute marketing strategies for products, services, or business units. They typically manage multiple marketing managers and coordinate across departments. The role needs both strategic thinking and practical execution skills.

Creative Director – $131,500

Range: $101,750 – $163,500

Creative Directors guide the artistic vision for marketing campaigns and brand identity. They lead teams of designers, writers, and other creative professionals. Success requires both artistic talent and business sense.

Information Architect – $118,500

Range: $99,250 – $144,500

These specialists design the structure and organization of digital products and websites. They focus on making complex information easy to navigate and understand. The role combines technical knowledge with user psychology.

Media Director – $117,250

Range: $99,250 – $144,500

Media Directors plan and manage advertising campaigns across various channels. They handle media strategy, budgeting, and vendor relationships. The role requires deep understanding of both traditional and digital media.

Account Director – $117,000

Range: $96,000 – $141,500

Account Directors manage relationships between agencies and major clients. They ensure client satisfaction while meeting agency goals. The position needs strong business and interpersonal skills.

Product Manager (Marketing/Creative) – $116,250

Range: $91,750 – $135,750

Product Managers guide product development and marketing from concept through launch. They work with multiple teams to ensure product success. The role requires both marketing and project management skills.

UX Designer – $115,250

Range: $95,750 – $140,250

UX Designers create user-friendly digital experiences. They research user needs and design solutions. The role combines creative design with technical skills.

Communications/PR Director – $114,500

Range: $96,750 – $135,750

These directors manage corporate communications and public relations programs. They shape public perception and handle strategic communications. The role needs strategic thinking and excellent writing skills.

Marketing Analytics Manager – $113,500

Range: $97,250 – $131,750

Analytics Managers track marketing performance and provide insights for decision-making. They work with data tools and visualization software. The role requires strong analytical and communication skills.

Product Marketing Manager – $111,750

Range: $88,000 – $134,000

A product marketing manager is crucial in driving demand for and adoption of a company’s products or services. Operating within a marketing agency or a corporate setting, this role involves close collaboration with various departments such as sales, product development and advertising.

Key Trends in Marketing Job Salaries

Digital Skills Premium

Roles focusing on digital experience and analytics rank high in compensation. UX Directors earn more than traditional Creative Directors, showing the value of digital expertise.

Executive Premium

C-suite and VP positions still top the salary rankings. The gap between executive and manager salaries remains significant, with CMOs earning nearly double what many managers make.

Analytics Value

Both director and manager-level analytics positions make the top 14, reflecting the importance of data-driven marketing.

Education and Skills

Most top-paying positions require at least a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience. Technical roles like UX Director often need specialized training or certifications.

AI Skills

Although the positions described don’t specifically refer to AI, marketers are increasingly expected to know how to use AI tools for ideation, content creation, image generation, and more depending on their role. Sophisticated applications like AI customer service agents also loom large in the near future. On the other hand, some entry-level roles that involve writing basic article content or social media posts may find their work usurped by AI models.

The Marketing Job Spectrum

Robert Half’s research covers at least 90 marketing jobs and related roles in advertising and public relations, from entry-level roles like Account Coordinators to the CMO position. This wide range of roles shows the field’s varied opportunities and career paths. Many positions are open to recent graduates, albeit at entry-level salaries, while mid-level roles typically require 2-5 years of experience. Senior positions may call for 10+ years of progressive responsibility, particularly in larger firms. Many of the highest-paying positions combine management experience with specialized skills in areas like digital strategy, analytics, or user experience..