Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Advertising and promotions managers develop and guide efforts to draw attention to products, services, or brands. This is a relatively small occupation, with national employment of 27,000 workers, so roles can be selective and competitive. The national median salary of $126,960 indicates that these positions can offer strong financial rewards for those who qualify. However, projected employment growth of -2.2% suggests that overall numbers of positions are expected to decline slightly over time, so job seekers may need to be strategic in targeting locations and employers. The work relies on a blend of creativity and innovation, strong communication, project management, and problem solving. Success in this career also draws on analytical strengths, including mathematics, critical and analytical thinking, and comfort with computers and information technology. For students, career changers, and experienced professionals who enjoy both creative and analytical work, advertising and promotions management can offer a compelling mix of responsibility, strategic impact, and earning potential, especially in select states and metro areas with higher opportunity scores.
Advertising and promotions managers earn a national median annual salary of $126,960, reflecting the high responsibility and strategic nature of these roles. Compensation can vary significantly by location. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, median salaries range from $163,090 in Massachusetts to $173,700 in New York, all notably higher than the national median. In California, the median salary is $167,230, while Colorado and Washington report $164,990 and $163,380 respectively. At the metro level, several areas stand out with especially high median salaries: $181,250 in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; $180,500 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA; and $174,390 in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro. These figures indicate that workers willing and able to pursue opportunities in specific metros and states may access higher earning potential compared with the national median for the occupation.
National employment for advertising and promotions managers stands at 27,000, with projected employment growth of -2.2%. This indicates that the total number of jobs in this field is expected to decline somewhat over the projection period. Even with this negative growth rate, the occupation is projected to have 2,000 annual openings. These openings can arise from various types of job turnover, including workers changing occupations or leaving the labor force. For individuals planning a career in this field, the combination of limited employment size and slightly negative growth suggests that competition for roles may be present, particularly in desirable locations. At the same time, the steady flow of annual openings shows that opportunities will continue to appear, especially for candidates who match employer needs in key skills such as creativity and innovation, project management, communication, and analytical thinking.
Location choices can significantly shape opportunities for advertising and promotions managers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington have the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores. New York combines the highest state-level median salary at $173,700 with employment of 3,550, while California offers a median salary of $167,230 and employment of 3,080. Massachusetts, Washington, and Colorado also show relatively high median salaries around the mid-$160,000 range, with smaller employment counts. All five of these states share the same projected growth rate of -2.2% for this occupation, so their differences lie mainly in salary levels, employment size, and opportunity scores. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ show the highest opportunity scores, 77.42 and 77.27 respectively, paired with high median salaries. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro also reports a median salary above $180,000. These metro areas may be particularly attractive for candidates prioritizing both pay and overall opportunity score.
The typical education level for advertising and promotions managers is a bachelor’s degree. This requirement reflects the mix of creative, analytical, and organizational demands in the role. Students and career changers considering this field should be prepared to develop skills across several areas. Creativity and innovation are central, supporting the ability to generate compelling concepts and campaigns. Speaking and listening, along with writing and reading, are important for clear communication. Project management skills help coordinate timelines and resources, while customer service skills support understanding and addressing audience needs. Problem solving and decision making, mathematics, and critical and analytical thinking contribute to evaluating options and making informed choices. Comfort with computers and information technology is also important in modern advertising and promotions environments. Together, these skills and the bachelor’s-level education provide a foundation for performing effectively and competing for opportunities in this occupation across various regions.
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