Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers held about 646,000 jobs in 2004. The following tabulation shows the distribution of jobs by occupational specialty:
| Sales managers | 337,000 |
| Marketing managers | 188,000 |
| Advertising and promotions managers | 64,000 |
| Public relations managers | 58,000 |
These managers were found in virtually every industry. Sales managers held almost half of the jobs; most were employed in wholesale and retail trade, and finance and insurance industries. Marketing managers held more than fourth of the jobs; the professional, scientific, and technical services industries employed almost one-third of marketing managers. About one-fourth of advertising and promotions managers worked in the professional, scientific, and technical services industries, and the, information industries, including advertising and related services, and publishing industries. Most public relations managers were employed in service-providing industries, such as professional, scientific, and technical services, finance and insurance, health care and social assistance, and educational services.
Earnings Overview
Median annual earnings in May 2004 were $63,610 for advertising and promotions managers, $87,640 for marketing managers, $84,220 sales managers, and $70,000 for public relations managers.
Median annual earnings of advertising and promotions managers in May 2004 in the advertising and related services industry were $89,570.
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of marketing managers in May 2004 were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $107,030 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 98,700 |
| Insurance carriers | 86,810 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 83,610 |
| Depository credit intermediation | 76,450 |
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of sales managers in May 2004 were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $119,140 |
| Wholesale electronic markets and agents and brokers | 101,930 |
| Automobile dealers | 97,460 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 95,410 |
| Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers | 84,680 |
According to a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, starting salaries for marketing majors graduating in 2005 averaged $33,873; starting salaries for advertising majors averaged $31,340.
Salary levels vary substantially, depending upon the level of managerial responsibility, length of service, education, size of firm, location, and industry. For example, manufacturing firms usually pay these managers higher salaries than do nonmanufacturing firms. For sales managers, the size of their sales territory is another important determinant of salary. Many managers earn bonuses equal to 10 percent or more of their salaries.
Earnings by State
Earnings by Metropolitan Area