Marketing Manager

Job Skills

Marketing managers must be able to communicate, both in writing and orally, in a persuasive manner. They must be able to sell their ideas to other managers and executives, as well as convince the public to buy the company's products or services. They also need to be mature, creative, highly motivated, resistant to stress, flexible, and decisive. In addition, they need to be able to use tact and good judgment.

Income

In 2002, marketing managers earned a median annual salary of $78,250. The following shows the median annual salaries for the industries employing the highest numbers of marketing managers:

• Computer systems design and related services: $96,440
• Management of companies and enterprises: $90,750
• Depository credit intermediation: $65,960

Training and Education

Most employers prefer candidates with bachelor's or master's degree in business administration with an emphasis on marketing. Some candidates get hired with experience in a related occupation and a broad liberal arts degree, such as sociology or literature. Courses in business law, economics, accounting, finance, mathematics, and statistics are usually viewed favorably by employers. Other resume enhancers include courses in management, school internships, familiarity with word processing and database applications, and fluency in a foreign language.

Click here for more information on schools offering Marketing Degrees and to learn about the programs that they offer.

Employment

Out of the nearly 700,000 related jobs in 2002, about 203,000 people were employed as advertising and promotions managers. While these managers were found in almost every industry, one third of marketing managers worked in professional, scientific, and technical services.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of marketing managers is expected to increase faster than the average. This is due to intense domestic and global competition in products and services offered to consumers. However, employment growth will vary greatly by industry. In scientific, professional, and related services, employment growth will grow much faster than average; while growth in manufacturing will stay the same. Because of the desirability of these types of positions and the opportunity for advancement, competition for most jobs in this sector is expected to be fierce.