Marketing Managers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Marketing Managers professionals earn $60,280 more per year than Project Management Specialists professionals — that's 59.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Marketing Managers$81,900 – N/A
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$59,830$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Marketing Managers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,900 | $59,830 | +$22,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $111,210 | $76,950 | +$34,260 |
| Median (50th) | $161,030 | $100,750 | +$60,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $211,080 | $131,660 | +$79,420 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $165,790 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $171,520 | $108,100 | +$63,420 |
Employment Numbers
Marketing Managers
384,980
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Marketing Managers or Project Management Specialists?
Marketing Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $60,280 (59.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Marketing Managers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 384,980 Marketing Managers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Marketing Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Marketing Managers has a median salary of $161,030 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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