Marketing Careers

There are many options for those who want a career in marketing, including market research analyst, marketing manager, public relations specialist, retail salesperson, sales representative, and survey researcher. Consider each of these marketing careers and compare earnings, educational requirements, and job outlook.

Popular Marketing Positions

When considering a career in marketing, research marketing jobs advertised on employment websites such as Indeed, LinkedIn and Glassdoor, or the career section of a company website. Read about the responsibilities, qualifications, and salary to determine if this is a field you would be interested in pursuing. The following list describes some common marketing positions along with their job requirements and salary.

• Market Research Analyst

  Market research analysts gather data about consumers and market conditions. They then analyze it to help their employers determine what products and services to sell, how much to charge for them, and where and how to sell them.

  Marketing research analysts need at least a bachelor's degree, but some employers will hire only job candidates who have a master's degree. Take classes in business, marketing, statistics, mathematics, and survey design.

  Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employment data from the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" is as follows:

  • Median Annual Salary (2018): $63,120
  • Number of People Employed (2016): 595,400
  • Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 23% (much faster than the average for all occupations)
  • Annual Projected Job Openings (2016-2026): 138,300

• Advertising Sales Representative

  Advertising sales representatives are also called advertising sales agents. They sell advertising space in print publications, the Internet, and outdoor media. They also sell time on radio and television shows, the Internet, and outdoor media.

  Many entry-level jobs require a high school diploma, but some employers prefer to hire job candidates who have a bachelor's degree.

  Employment information from the BLS indicates:

  • Median Annual Salary (2018): $51,740
  • Number of People Employed (2016): 149,900
  • Projected Job Change (2016-2026): -4% (Decline)
  • Annual Projected Job Openings (2016-2026): -5,400

• Marketing Manager

  Marketing managers help companies get products and services into the hands of customers and clients. They formulate a firm's marketing strategy by first estimating demand and identifying markets. They also help set prices. Marketing managers lead a team of other marketing professionals.

  To work as a marketing manager, you can earn either a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in business with a concentration in marketing.

  BLS employment data for marketing managers is as follows:

  • Median Annual Salary (2018): $117,130
  • Number of People Employed (2016): 218,300
  • Projected Job Change (2016-2026): 10% (Faster than the average for all occupations)
  • Annual Projected Job Openings (2016-2026): 22,100

• Public Relations Specialist

  Public relations specialists, also called communications or media specialists, communicate with the public on behalf of the companies, organizations, or governments that employ them. Most of these employers prefer job candidates who have a bachelor's degree and some work experience.

  The BLS presents job information for a public relations specialist as follows:

  • Median Annual Salary (2018): $60,000
  • Number of People Employed (2016): 259,600
  • Projected Job Change (2016-2026): 9% (As fast as the average for all occupations)
  • Annual Projected Job Openings (2016-2026): 22,900

• Sales Representative

  Sales representatives sell products on behalf of manufacturers or wholesalers. They work either directly for those companies or for independent sales agencies.

  There are no formal requirements to work as a sales representative, but some employers prefer applicants who have a bachelor's degree. Those who sell science and technical products typically are college graduates.

  BLS employment data for this profession indicates:

  • Median Annual Salary (2018): $58,510; $79,680 (science and technical products)
  • Number of People Employed (2016): 1.8 million
  • Projected Job Change (2016-2026): 5% (As fast as the average for all occupations)
  • Annual Projected Job Openings (2016-2026): 94,100

• Retail Salesperson

  Retail salespeople help shoppers find products, including clothing, electronics, and sports equipment. They also process cash and credit card payments.

  While there are no educational requirements for those who want to work as retail salespeople, some employees prefer to hire only those who have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. They usually provide on-the-job training.
  

  The BLS presents the employment outlook for retail sales as follows:

  • Median Annual Salary (2018): $24,200
  • Number of People Employed (2016): 4.6 million
  • Projected Job Change (2016-2026): 2% (slower than the average for all occupations)
  • Annual Projected Job Openings (2016-2026): 79,700

• Survey Researcher

  Survey researchers design or conduct surveys about people and their opinions. A bachelor's degree with coursework that includes business, marketing, consumer behavior, statistics, and computer science is required for most entry-level jobs.

  According to the BLS, employment data for survey researchers indicates:

  • Median Annual Salary (2018): $57,700
  • Number of People Employed (2016): 14,600
  • Projected Job Change (2016-2026): 2% (slower than the average for all occupations)
  • Annual Projected Job Openings (2016-2026): 400