In this article, we'll look at the factors influencing different marketing salaries in the state of Virginia, explore salary variances across Virginia's cities and industries and share insights on boosting your earning potential. Some key points:
The median marketing manager salary in Virginia reflects industry demand and varies widely by city, sector and skill, with median earnings ranging from $101,020 to over $177,250, said the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Advanced education, particularly in digital marketing, and ongoing professional development may significantly enhance a marketing manager's salary, roles and career progression in Virginia.
A marketing manager's salary is influenced by multiple factors, including years of experience, specialized skills, the size and reputation of the employer and their ability to effectively negotiate and communicate their value.
There are roughly 7,040 people employed as marketing managers in Virginia says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This means in every 1,000 people in the state, nearly two are marketing managers. The median wage per hour is $85 and the forecasted job growth for the coming decade is 8.2%.
Some of the biggest employers of marketing managers, digital marketing managers, PR specialists and market research analysts in Virginia are in tech, the ever-evolving healthcare sphere and the robust financial services industry, offering higher salaries that reflect the competitive nature and rapid growth in these sectors. Take a look at the top five:
Capital One:
McLean, VA. Capital One, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, is a leading financial services company known for its credit cards, banking and lending services. They often have marketing manager positions available to support their various products and services.
Deloitte:
Arlington, VA. Deloitte, with offices in various locations across Virginia including Arlington and Richmond, is a global professional services firm providing audit, consulting, advisory, and tax services. They often seek marketing managers to support their marketing and communications efforts.
Booz Allen Hamilton:
McLean, VA. Booz Allen Hamilton is a management and information technology consulting firm that serves primarily government and military clients. They frequently hire marketing managers to help promote their consulting services and solutions.
Freddie Mac:
McLean, VA. Freddie Mac, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, is a government-sponsored enterprise that provides liquidity, stability and affordability to the U.S. housing market. They may have marketing manager positions available in areas such as mortgage lending and financial services.
CarMax:
Richmond, VA. CarMax, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is the largest used-car retailer in the United States. They frequently hire marketing managers to oversee marketing campaigns, branding initiatives and customer engagement efforts.
>
The view.js is not setup right.
Marketing salary in Virginia statistics
While the median salary for marketing management professionals—a category that loosely includes upper-level careers in social media/digital marketing, public relations and sales and advertising fields—lands at $161,030 a year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pay may vary depending upon several factors, including where you work and live and the cost of living, how much experience you have, what certifications you have earned and your level of education.
Salaries for different marketing roles in Virginia
Digital marketing manager:
The average digital marketing manager salary in Virginia is around $79,840, said the BLS.
Public relations specialist:
The median annual wage for public relations specialists in Virginia is about $77,800.
Advertising and promotions manager:
Advertising and promotions managers in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $111,030 or more, depending on education and experience.
Median marketing manager salary in Virginia
The median annual salary for marketing managers in Virginia is $177,250. Even with its relatively high pay in certain metro areas, Virginia still does not rank in the top five states for salaries for marketing managers in the U.S. says the BLS.
Marketing Managers
10%$101,020
25%$134,990
50%$177,250Median
75%$223,850
90%N/A
Median Hourly Wage$85
Job growth8.2%
Total Employment7,170
Metro area
Median Salary
Bottom 10%
Top 10%
Richmond, VA
$167,680
$99,150
N/A
Charlottesville, VA
$162,390
$92,490
N/A
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
$152,880
$90,260
N/A
Lynchburg, VA
$149,500
$76,810
N/A
Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA
$145,390
$92,790
N/A
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
$138,490
$87,060
$230,170
Harrisonburg, VA
$136,410
$67,300
$208,420
Roanoke, VA
$134,190
$75,150
$238,870
Winchester, VA-WV
$131,400
$70,810
$229,300
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2033. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
>
The view.js is not setup right.
Salary range for a marketing management career in Virginia
The salary range for marketing managers in Virginia typically spans from $101,020 for the lowest 10% to well over $223,850for the upper 25% of people in the field per year. This accounts for entry-level management roles to senior-level positions and takes into consideration the other factors such as experience, education and time in the position.
Pay by metro area within the state of Virginia
Your earning level may depend upon where you live within a state. Marketing manager salaries in Virginia can vary significantly across different cities. For example, in Arlington and Alexandria, the average base salary may be around $132,323, whereas in Charlottesville and Virginia Beach, it ranges from $100,339 to $106,981. The BLS reports that the Washington DC-Arlington-Alexandria metro area has the 10th highest pay for marketing managers in the U.S.
Metro Area
Median Annual Salary
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$228,580
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$212,520
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
$200,010
Trenton-Princeton, NJ
$199,950
Worcester, MA
$176,500
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
$176,240
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
$175,560
Niles, MI
$174,740
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
$173,880
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
$171,590
Factors affecting marketing salaries in Virginia
Several factors influence what your marketing salary may be in Virginia. We've already touched upon pay differences based on location and whether your metro area is an industry hub. But some other factors may include:
Experience and expertise:
Years of experience and a history of successful marketing campaigns not only exhibit competence in senior roles but also indicate to employers the preparedness for increased responsibility and, potential higher pay.
Industry and company size:
The reputation and size of the employer can greatly influence a marketing manager's salary, with more prominent companies typically offering more competitive pay.
Specialized skills:
The line between expertise and compensation is nuanced, with specialized skills like market analysis and proficiency in tools like Salesforce distinguishing marketing managers from their peers. This specialization, coupled with a history of driving revenue growth, often results in higher compensation packages that include bonuses and commissions, reflecting the direct contribution to a company's success.
To advance in marketing careers in Virginia:
Consider continuous learning: Your journey doesn't end with a degree; it's the commitment to continuous professional development that may lead to higher salaries for marketing managers. Certifications in marketing analytics, branding, or CRM systems serve not just as distinctions, they may act as gateways to career progression and salary increases.
Networking: Build a strong professional network by attending industry events, conferences and networking gatherings. This step is essential in the competitive field of marketing.
Demonstrate results: Advancing your career in marketing may depend upon strategic planning and communication, which are not just functions within marketing but the pillars upon which marketing managers build their careers and salaries. Transitioning from roles like marketing specialist to senior positions entails an increased focus on strategic planning and the ability to orchestrate complex marketing campaigns.
Maintain lasting relationships: Another factor in advancement is maintaining relationships and customer insights. For marketing managers, the ability to build relationships and comprehend the customer's perspective entails more than just nurturing loyalty—it may pave the way to higher earnings.
How can I know if I am being paid fairly as a marketing manager in Virginia?
To ensure you are being paid correctly in California, here are some steps you can take to assess whether your compensation aligns with industry standards:
Research salary benchmarks: Online salary tools are indispensable in researching and comparing marketing manager salaries within the state, offering a window into the market's valuation of their role. Platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed and LinkedIn can equip marketing managers with the tools to learn salary details relevant to their location and position.
Hone your negotiating skills: Industry benchmarks and company-specific pay scales are critical to establishing realistic salary expectations. Tools such as CareerOneStop and Salary.com's Salary Wizard can help pinpoint salaries for your role, company and region.
Consider where you live: Salaries can vary within Virginia based on the cost of living and dominant industries in different regions.
Know your rights: Familiarize yourself with Virginia's labor laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Equal Pay Act, including gender equality, minimum wage requirements and overtime pay.
>
The view.js is not setup right.
Education and training for VA marketers
While most entry-level positions may require at least an associate degree, and preferably a bachelor's degree, many marketing managers and those in related areas pursue advanced degrees such as an MBA or master's degree for career advancement.
The pursuit of a bachelor's degree or an MBA, particularly with a marketing concentration, can be the catalyst that helps you earn more by illustrating the skills and strategic wisdom that an education may offer.
While you may be able to enter the field with a bachelor's degree, it's the pursuit of advanced education and certifications that often leads to the more lucrative positions within the marketing management field. Advanced education's role may showcase the importance of specialized marketing skills, and in the digital domain especially, this may influence earning capacity.
Cost of living considerations for Virginia
Virginia's cost of living is, on average 1% higher than the national average—with housing around 4% higher, and healthcare in the state around 2% higher than the national average, says RentCafe.
RentCafe lists the highest cost of living cities inVirginia as Arlington and Alexandria, which, with their higher pay, may compensate for the higher cost of living. Cities that are lower than the national average include Blacksburg, Richmond, Lynchburg, Roanoke and Lexington. One option may to be reside in a lower cost of living city and commute to an industry hub city.
Virginia professional associations and networking
Professional associations provide valuable networking opportunities, continuing education resources and a platform for industry professionals to stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices in marketing. A marketing manager's career is partially defined by the relationships and insights gained through professional networks. Some platforms that cater to niche aspects of the marketing profession and provide valuable salary information include:
American Marketing Association (AMA)–Richmond Chapter: The vital community for all marketers in the Richmond region to learn, connect, serve and grow.
Virginia Professional Communicators: Offers members the opportunity to continually learn more about the profession through conferences and other programs.
Digital Marketing Association (DMA): Focuses on digital marketing trends, strategies and best practices for professionals all over the country.
Marketing salaries in Virginia are a compilation of factors as diverse as geography and industry, the completion of a formal education and honing negotiation skills. Each element plays a part in shaping the financial destiny of marketing professionals.
By understanding industry standards, conducting research and staying informed about relevant professional associations, individuals can navigate their career paths and ensure fair compensation in Virginia's competitive job market. Use this guide as a starting point to make informed decisions about your career path, negotiating salaries and for setting realistic expectations for your educational and professional future.
Find marketing salaries for other states
Learn what you may be able to earn in your state, how the cost of living and other factors could impact your pay, why education matters—especially in competitive marketing roles—and much more.
