Marketing managers develop pricing strategies, target customers, research market trends and more.
Marketing managers tend to make more than promotion, sales, PR and advertising managers. It isn't easy money though. The life of a marketing manger can be stressful. Finding a job isn't always easy. Students and job-hunters considering marketing manager positions should weigh the pros and cons before taking this career path.
Employment Opportunities
A wide variety of organizations employ marketing managers. Any company that sells a product or provides a service can benefit from services a marketing manager provides. Positions are available in nearly every industry. Aspiring marketing managers looking for a favorable job market might want to consider relocating to New England or the West Coast. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) officials say Connecticut, New Hampshire and California have the highest concentration of these jobs.
Job Outlook
Marketing manager positions are less likely to be cut due to corporate downsizing compared to other managerial positions. Outsourcing is less frequent as well. Plus the number of positions is on the rise. BLS officials predict that the number of marketing manager jobs will increase 12 percent between 2008 and 2018. This figure translates into nearly 22,000 new jobs. Although new positions are being created all the time, competition for jobs is strong.
Education Requirements
Employment recruiters look for candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. Aspiring marketing managers are encouraged to complete relevant internships before completing their studies. Completed coursework in business law, economics accounting and other management fields will also aid you in your job search. Specialized training and degrees may be required for highly technical industries such as computer manufacturing.
Working Conditions
Most marketing managers work in a comfortable office setting. Many managers work extended hours and come in on the holidays to meet deadlines. Four out of 5 marketing managers worked 40 hours a week or more in 2008, according to the BLS. Stressful working conditions are common. Managers are under constant pressure to meet deadlines and produce results. Regular travel may be required depending upon the position.
Earnings
BLS experts estimate that the mean annual salary for marketing managers was $120,070 in 2009. Earnings vary by industry and location but half of all managers took home between $78,340 and $149,390 the same year. Managers working in New York, New Jersey and California made the most. Positions with securities and commodity exchanges and the motion picture industry were the most lucrative according to BLS reports.
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