Highest paying jobs with a marketing degree

Thinking about pursuing a marketing degree and curious about the earning potential? A degree in marketing provides diverse skills that open doors to high-paying roles across various industries. From digital strategy to product development, marketing professionals can find lucrative opportunities if they have the right skills and experience. In this article, we’ll explore the highest-paying jobs in marketing, detailing each role’s responsibilities, salary expectations, and the essential skills needed to succeed.

What is a Marketing Degree?

A marketing degree offers a comprehensive overview of business principles, consumer behaviour, brand management, advertising, and strategic marketing. This qualification enables graduates to understand the art and science behind promoting products and services, driving brand growth, and analysing market trends. Marketing degrees also equip students with skills in research, data analysis, creativity, and communication—core competencies that are vital for high-level marketing roles.

FutureLearn offers various online marketing courses, from short courses to full degrees, in partnership with top institutions like  UCL and Accenture. These flexible learning options make it easy to gain a marketing degree or upskill in specific areas while working.

What Are the Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs with a Marketing Degree?

1. Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

As the highest-ranking marketing executive, a CMO oversees all marketing efforts within an organisation, including branding, advertising, product positioning, and market strategy. CMOs play a crucial role in shaping a brand’s image and are heavily involved in strategic planning.

• Salary: £100,000–£150,000 annually, with top earners in larger companies reaching over £200,000.
• Key Skills: Strategic thinking, leadership, brand management, and data analysis.

2. Vice President of Marketing

The VP of Marketing supports the CMO and manages marketing teams, projects, and budgets. They help devise strategies that boost revenue and brand visibility, particularly in global or multi-regional organisations. This role requires extensive experience in both marketing and team management.

• Salary: £70,000–£120,000, depending on the company size and industry.
• Key Skills: Leadership, project management, budget allocation, and team building.

3. Marketing Director

Marketing directors lead all marketing campaigns and initiatives, from planning to execution. This role is hands-on and often involves working with teams to create, implement, and measure campaigns. Marketing directors report on campaign performance, market trends, and customer insights to upper management.

• Salary: £60,000–£100,000 annually.
• Key Skills: Campaign management, creative strategy, data-driven decision-making, and team leadership.

4. Product Marketing Manager

Product marketing managers specialise in positioning and promoting specific products. They work closely with product development and sales teams to create marketing strategies tailored to product launches and lifecycles. This role is crucial for businesses launching new products or competing in competitive markets.

• Salary: £50,000–£80,000, with potential for bonuses.
• Key Skills: Product knowledge, market research, cross-functional collaboration, and storytelling.

5. Digital Marketing Director

Digital marketing directors oversee online marketing strategies, including social media, email, content, and paid advertising. As digital marketing becomes increasingly important, these roles have grown in demand and offer attractive salaries for those with the right skill set.

• Salary: £60,000–£90,000, depending on the scope of responsibilities and industry.
• Key Skills: SEO, digital strategy, social media marketing, and analytics.

6. Brand Manager

Brand managers are responsible for developing and maintaining a brand’s identity, ensuring all marketing activities align with the brand’s values and positioning. They work on product packaging, advertising, and promotional activities to keep the brand strong in the market.

• Salary: £40,000–£75,000 annually, with higher earnings in established brands.
• Key Skills: Creativity, communication, brand strategy, and competitive analysis.

7. Market Research Director

Market research directors analyse data and trends to guide marketing strategies. They manage research projects, surveys, focus groups, and other tools to gain insights into consumer preferences and market dynamics, providing vital information for informed decision-making.

• Salary: £60,000–£85,000 annually.
• Key Skills: Data analysis, project management, research methodologies, and critical thinking.

8. Content Marketing Manager

Content marketing managers develop and manage a brand’s content strategy, focusing on producing valuable and relevant content to engage customers. This role is essential in building brand loyalty, improving SEO, and increasing organic traffic to websites.

• Salary: £45,000–£70,000 annually.
• Key Skills: Content creation, SEO, storytelling, and audience engagement.

9. Advertising Account Executive

Advertising account executives act as the link between clients and advertising agencies. They manage client accounts, develop advertising strategies, and coordinate projects to ensure client expectations are met. This role can be highly rewarding, especially in successful campaigns that drive growth.

• Salary: £20,000–£65,000, with potential bonuses.
• Key Skills: Client communication, negotiation, project coordination, and strategy development.

10. Public Relations Director

Public relations directors manage a company’s image and communication with the public. They are responsible for media relations, crisis communication, and ensuring that brand messaging remains consistent and positive across all channels.

• Salary: £50,000–£85,000, with potential for bonuses.
• Key Skills: Media relations, crisis management, strategic communication, and interpersonal skills.

Highest Paying Marketing Degrees

While a general marketing degree opens many doors, specific degrees can lead to specialised and high-paying roles. Here are some examples:

• Bachelor’s in Marketing Management: A foundational degree that prepares graduates for diverse roles in marketing, including management.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing: An advanced degree with a strong focus on leadership and high-level strategy, ideal for aspiring CMOs and VPs of Marketing.
• Master’s in Digital Marketing: Specialised for those interested in online and digital marketing roles, this degree covers essential skills like SEO, PPC, and analytics.
• Master’s in Market Research or Consumer Behaviour: Ideal for those interested in data-driven roles, focusing on understanding consumer preferences and market trends.

Final Thoughts

A marketing degree provides a very strong foundation for a variety of high-paying careers. From leading a brand’s strategic direction to managing digital marketing campaigns, marketing professionals can find numerous lucrative opportunities.  If you’re considering a career in marketing, FutureLearn offers online degrees and courses from top universities worldwide, enabling you to study marketing flexibly and on your schedule. To explore more about FutureLearn’s marketing offerings, visit FutureLearn Marketing Courses.