Are you wondering: Is marketing a good major? If you’re a savvy salesperson who thinks outside the box, you may be wondering if Marketing is the right choice for you.
Marketing is all about developing and branding a product or service, and then getting people interested. But to earn a degree, you may also need to understand elements of business, finance and other areas.
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Let’s take a closer look at the job prospects, industry growth, earning potential, job satisfaction and other details that give us an idea of what your future might look like if you choose to major in Marketing.
Is Marketing a Good Major?
Marketing is a good major because it’s extremely versatile and may lead to a variety of high paying, in-demand careers, with great job satisfaction and opportunities for on-going education. Marketing majors may pull in $50k to $208k a year.
- Median annual wage for a marketing manager is $142,170 annually (U.S. Department of Labor)
- The Top 10% of earners pulled in over $208,000!
Here’s a breakdown of the most important factors to consider:
| What to Consider | Questions to Ask | How Marketing Measures Up |
| Salary | Will I make enough to support my lifestyle and pay my bills? | You may earn great money in this field! Several professions earn well over $100,000 per year! |
| Career Prospects | Can I see myself doing the jobs this major leads to? | Marketing is one of the most versatile majors, allowing grads to go into almost any field. Ultimately, though, only you can determine whether it’s a good fit for your personality. |
| Industry Growth | Is this an industry that is growing or dying? Am I likely to find employment when I graduate? | Employment for Marketing graduates is growing faster than average. |
| Job Satisfaction | Are people in this field generally satisfied with their job? | Studies show that professionals in the Marketing field are very satisfied. |
| Opportunities for continued education | Can I further my education later on? Will it be a worthwhile investment? | Marketing professionals will likely need to continue their education to keep up with changes in technology, either through advanced degrees or individual courses. |
If you’re in a hurry to get your bachelor’s in marketing, you may also find our articles discussing accelerated online bachelor’s programs and accelerated marketing degrees useful.
Marketing Career Prospects and Growth
With a degree in Marketing, you may find employment in nearly any industry, in businesses large or small. Your skills may be valuable and in-demand wherever you go.
Growth for the majority of marketing-related professions is expected to rise at a rate faster than average for the next ten years. Here are some examples of what you can do with a marketing degree:
- Market Research Analyst (22%)
- Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Manager (10%)
- Public Relations and Fundraising Manager (13%)
- Public Relations Specialist (11%)
- Sales Manager (7%)
The only profession directly related to Marketing that is not expecting growth is Advertising Sales Agent, but this is likely due to a shift to digital media; employment of Advertising Sales Agents in Internet-focused companies may actually see positive growth.
Individuals with a Marketing background, even if it is just an online associate’s degree in marketing, may also be successful in other fields, such as business, communications, or design.
Marketing Major Salaries
A traditional or Marketing degree online may lead to a number of different careers.
Here are examples of some of the most natural career paths and their respective salaries:
| Career | Annual Median Salary |
| Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Manager | $141,490 |
| Sales Manager | $132,290 |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Manager | $118,430 |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,810 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,810 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $54,940 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
As you can see, Marketing professionals make great money!
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Job Satisfaction
Before committing to the field, it may be helpful to know whether those currently working in Marketing feel satisfied in the profession.
Marketing Managers ranked first in sales and marketing jobs, and reported that they were satisfied with their jobs.
Here is how Marketing ranks:
| Job Satisfaction Metrics | Score |
| Upward Mobility (Opportunities for advancement and salary) |
Above Average |
| Stress Level (Work environment and complexities of job responsibilities) |
Above Average |
| Flexibility (Alternative working schedule and life balance) |
Average |
This data indicates that while you may need to look around to find a position that offers a healthy work/life balance, it’s very likely the job you choose may involve minimal stress and plenty of opportunities for promotions and raises.
What Can You Do With a Marketing Degree?
Almost anything! Every business in every sector, regardless of its size, relies on marketing to reach consumers and find success.
If you already have a particular career path in mind, you may choose a second major or a minor to complement your Marketing education. Some popular choices include:
- Accounting / Finance
- Advertising
- Business / Business Administration
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Consumer Psychology
- Graphic Design
- International Business
- Social Media Analytics
- Statistics
A double major or a minor may provide valuable training as well as give you leverage when applying for jobs in a competitive market.
You should also know that as a Marketing professional, you will likely need to update your skills periodically, especially as technology advances. While you may opt to pursue an advanced degree, simply taking individual classes on trends, social media, new metrics, and the like might help keep you apprised of changes in the industry.
Marketing Major Career Paths
Graduates with a Marketing degree used to be somewhat confined to sales and advertising positions, but as technology advances, the field has widened tremendously.
Check out all these job titles you may be prepared for with a Marketing Degree:
- Account Executive
- Admissions Representative
- Brand Manager
- Copywriter
- Digital Media Director
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Director of Internet Marketing
- Director of Web Analytics
- Event Planner
- Fundraiser
- Market Research Analyst
- Media Planner
- Production Manager
- Promotions Coordinator
- Public Relations Representative
- Sales Manager
- SEO Manager
- Social Media Coordinator
- Web Marketing Manager
And that’s just a sampling; the options are practically endless!
Whether you pursue the business and finance end of Marketing or concentrate on the advertising and social media end, there are countless positions out there that educated Marketing professionals may pursue.
If you’re unsure about marketing as a major, we also discuss majoring in business as well as accounting majors.
Deciding if Marketing is Right for You
Marketing is an exciting and rewarding field, but it’s not for everyone. It may be a good fit for you if you are:
- Creative
- Analytical
- A team-player
- A “people-person”
- Detail-oriented
- Comfortable taking negative feedback
Whether it’s the right choice for you will be a personal decision, but if it is you may have a bright future. A degree in Marketing is versatile and may open the door to many exciting, well-paying careers!
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