Human Resources Managers 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 $21,000 more per year than Human Resources Managers professionals — that's 15.0% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
Marketing Managers$81,900 – N/A
$81,900$83,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Managers | Marketing Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $83,790 | $81,900 | +$1,890 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,590 | $111,210 | $-5,620 |
| Median (50th) | $140,030 | $161,030 | $-21,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $189,960 | $211,080 | $-21,120 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $160,480 | $171,520 | $-11,040 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Managers
215,520
employed nationwide
Marketing Managers
384,980
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
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: Human Resources Managers or Marketing Managers?
Marketing Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,000 (15.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
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 Human Resources Managers and Marketing Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions and 384,980 Marketing Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Marketing Managers to Human Resources Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Managers has a median salary of $140,030 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