Marketing Manager salary in California
Marketing Managers in California earn a median of $193,620 a year ($93.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 54,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $326,400 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $166,790. California ranks 2nd of 48 states for marketing managers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 3.0 marketing managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $207,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for marketing managers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| 25th percentile | $139,950 | $67.28 |
| Median | $193,620 | $93.09 |
| 75th percentile | $271,360 | $130.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $326,400 | $156.93 |
| Average (mean) | $207,860 | $99.93 |
Half of marketing managers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $16,135 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,067.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,446.92 |
| Weekly | $3,723.46 |
| Hourly | $93.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Marketing Manager salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $231,370 | 7,300 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $220,480 | 11,170 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $174,840 | 3,790 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $171,900 | 18,550 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $170,920 | 340 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $169,540 | 620 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $168,980 | 150 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,270 | 1,610 |
| Napa, CA | $163,870 | 120 |
| Redding, CA | $161,910 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $161,720 | 300 |
| Vallejo, CA | $161,560 | 120 |
| Modesto, CA | $160,520 | 160 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $160,490 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $157,670 | 1,840 |
| Salinas, CA | $155,940 | 130 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $153,830 | 230 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $149,960 | 240 |
| Merced, CA | $148,670 | 50 |
| Visalia, CA | $140,040 | 100 |
| Fresno, CA | $139,990 | 430 |
| Chico, CA | $139,830 | 60 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $135,200 | 30 |
| Yuba City, CA | $130,000 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for marketing managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $212,020 |
| California | $193,620 |
| Virginia | $187,820 |
| Colorado | $182,730 |
| New York | $181,200 |
| New Jersey | $180,040 |
| District of Columbia | $177,170 |
| Minnesota | $173,300 |
| Washington | $172,270 |
| Connecticut | $169,240 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $134,910 | $64.86 |
| Public Relations Manager | $167,980 | $80.76 |
| Fundraising Manager | $135,870 | $65.32 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $167,230 | $80.40 |
| General and Operations Managers | $124,390 | $59.81 |
| Managers, All Other | $174,560 | $83.92 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $218,290 | $104.95 |
| Financial Manager | $180,770 | $86.91 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $141,480 | $68.02 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $77,030 | $37.04 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,890 | $52.35 |
| Construction Manager | $133,160 | $64.02 |
| Chief Executive | $218,600 | $105.10 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $83,210 | $40.01 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a marketing manager make in California?
The median salary for marketing managers in California is $193,620 a year, or $93.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $326,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid marketing managers make in California?
The top 10% of marketing managers in California earn at least $326,400 a year. The top 25% earn $271,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for marketing managers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,370 a year, and a quarter of marketing managers earn $139,950 or less.
How many marketing managers work in California?
About 54,660 marketing managers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.