How long does it take to become a marketing manager?

Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do marketing managers make?

The US median is $166,790 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a marketing manager?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train to become a marketing manager?

1,059 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a marketing manager

Management · SOC 11-2021

$166,790US median pay, 2025

+6.9%Projected growth, 2025–35

34,000Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
5 years or more of experience in a related job
Work as a marketing manager

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Marketing/Marketing Management, General	CIP 52.1401	956
Marketing, Other	CIP 52.1499	80
Digital Marketing	CIP 52.1404	72
Apparel and Textile Marketing Management	CIP 19.0905	39
Marketing Research	CIP 52.1402	27
International Marketing	CIP 52.1403	12
Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management	CIP 19.0203	9
Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management	CIP 51.2011	7
Hospitality and Recreation Marketing Operations	CIP 52.1910	7

See the 1,059 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a marketing manager?: Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do marketing managers make?: The US median is $166,790 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a marketing manager?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train to become a marketing manager?: 1,059 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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