Marketing salary survey 2019: Compensation trends in the U.S.

In our 2019 Marketing Technology and Operations Salary Survey, we broke down salary insights across the marketing landscape with the aim of building a benchmark reference for industry professionals.

Previously, we looked at marketing compensation through a global lens, examining how salaries stack up around the world. This time around, we explored marketing wages in the U.S. to highlight majority trends, identify key disparities, and direct attention to the roles that are shifting with the digital industry.

The majority of survey participants identified with one of the following types of marketing-related roles:

• Digital Marketing / E-Commerce Marketing
• Marketing Operations
• Marketing Operations Technology (combined)
• Marketing Technology / Marketing IT / Marketing Technologist
• Service Provider / Consultant

Of the sample of 673 survey respondents across the U.S., 26% reported earning a base salary between $50,000 – $74,000, excluding bonuses and additional compensation. Nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) reported a salary range of $75,000 – $99,000. Just 6% of respondents reported making more than $200,000 annually.

More than half (53%) or respondents said they work in digital marketing or e-commerce marketing roles – a 14% increase from last year’s survey findings. We expect the number to continue climbing as digital technology matures and roles expand.

Surprisingly, the 22% of respondents who selected their label as “Marketing Operations and Technology (combined)” fell by 7% from 2018, while the percentage of respondents who identified with the separate roles remained flat.

Among the 33% of respondents reporting 10+ years of experience in a marketing role, the salary distribution was divided fairly evenly among those who make between $50,000 – $99,000 and $100,000 – $149,000. A striking 11% make more than $200,000 annually, eclipsing the national income percentile by nearly 6%.

On a country-wide scale, it’s not surprising that California and New York represent the top earnings regions for marketing professionals, with 48% and 51% of respondents having reported a salary that exceeds $100,000, respectively.

In Washington alone, 57% of marketers surveyed earned more than $100,000 annually – a clear indication of the region’s (particularly, Seattle’s) prolificacy in marketing roles.

In our next round of salary survey analysis, we’ll dive into the divisive wage gaps that persist among demographic and gender disparities across the digital marketing industry.

Download our full 2019 Marketing Technology and Operations Salary Survey findings to see how your marketing income might stack up.

About The Author

Taylor Peterson

Taylor Peterson was Third Door Media’s Deputy Editor, managing industry-leading coverage that informs and inspires marketers. Based in New York, Taylor brings marketing expertise grounded in creative production and agency advertising for global brands. Taylor's editorial focus blends digital marketing and creative strategy with topics like campaign management, emerging formats, and display advertising.