Graphic Designers vs Marketing Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Marketing Managers professionals earn $99,730 more per year than Graphic Designers professionals — that's 162.7% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
Marketing Managers$81,900 – N/A
$37,600$103,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Graphic Designers | Marketing Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $37,600 | $81,900 | $-44,300 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,200 | $111,210 | $-64,010 |
| Median (50th) | $61,300 | $161,030 | $-99,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $211,080 | $-132,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $103,030 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $68,610 | $171,520 | $-102,910 |
Employment Numbers
Graphic Designers
214,260
employed nationwide
Marketing Managers
384,980
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
Best Cities for Marketing Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $176,240 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $176,100 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $175,560 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $173,880 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $171,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Graphic Designers or Marketing Managers?
Marketing Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $99,730 (162.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
What is the salary range for Marketing Managers?
Marketing Managers salaries range from $81,900 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,030.
How many Graphic Designers and Marketing Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 214,260 Graphic Designers positions and 384,980 Marketing Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Marketing Managers to Graphic Designers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Graphic Designers has a median salary of $61,300 while Marketing Managers earns $161,030. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS