Marketing Specialist salary in the United States
National median pay
$78,760/year
about $37.87 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $58,350 – $108,310
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| 25th | $58,350 | $28.05 |
| Median (50th) | $78,760 | $37.87 |
| 75th | $108,310 | $52.07 |
| 90th (top earners) | $155,480 | $74.75 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Jose ($141,960). Lowest of the cities we track: Pittsburgh ($63,190).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $141,960 | $97,510 – $212,330 |
| San Francisco, CA | $123,250 | $82,510 – $170,560 |
| Boston, MA | $102,390 | $78,060 – $134,140 |
| Seattle, WA | $102,170 | $74,930 – $161,120 |
| New York, NY | $100,520 | $76,510 – $130,700 |
| Denver, CO | $99,040 | $70,310 – $129,570 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $97,910 | $69,700 – $128,360 |
| Washington, DC | $87,160 | $65,730 – $123,760 |
| Portland, OR | $85,350 | $62,850 – $124,900 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,990 | $64,060 – $120,960 |
| Charlotte, NC | $82,930 | $62,320 – $125,710 |
| Austin, TX | $80,460 | $60,560 – $104,280 |
| Chicago, IL | $80,400 | $62,160 – $105,710 |
| San Diego, CA | $79,440 | $57,660 – $116,160 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $79,420 | $61,260 – $109,350 |
| Atlanta, GA | $79,030 | $55,000 – $120,020 |
| Miami, FL | $78,990 | $56,830 – $99,560 |
| Sacramento, CA | $78,630 | $57,480 – $105,980 |
| Nashville, TN | $77,240 | $58,360 – $108,690 |
| Detroit, MI | $77,100 | $55,990 – $103,240 |
| Dallas, TX | $75,240 | $59,240 – $102,490 |
| Tampa, FL | $75,210 | $52,580 – $95,610 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $74,670 | $52,000 – $95,680 |
| Baltimore, MD | $74,620 | $58,240 – $96,420 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $74,590 | $53,380 – $100,600 |
| St. Louis, MO | $74,130 | $51,060 – $99,630 |
| Orlando, FL | $72,860 | $52,370 – $103,270 |
| Houston, TX | $67,370 | $47,840 – $93,070 |
| San Antonio, TX | $65,950 | $49,850 – $95,040 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $63,190 | $50,130 – $82,690 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for marketing specialists, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
- Below market under $58,350 ($28.05/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $58,350 to $108,310 ($28.05 to $52.07/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $108,310 ($52.07/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- This BLS category also includes market research analysts, so the range is wide. Compare with the lower half for coordinator-style roles.
- Watch for "marketing" roles that are really commission-only sales.
- A role covering social media, design, ads and content alone is several jobs in one. Price your ask accordingly.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists (SOC 13-1161). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.