What the numbers say
The median Marketing Manager in San Francisco earned $212,520 in 2024. That is 19% above the California median of $178,160 and 38% above the national median of $154,215. Few metros post that kind of gap over both the state and US figures at once.
The average wage tells a sharper story. At $228,200, it runs about $15,700 above the median. That gap shows up when a relatively small number of senior managers and directors pull the average up. If you are reading the median as a ceiling, the mean suggests there is room well above it for those further into their careers.
About 12,820 Marketing Managers work in the San Francisco metro, one of the larger local concentrations in the country for this role. The sheer size of that workforce reflects how many companies here run significant marketing operations, from mid-stage startups to large public companies.
The BLS data does not include the 75th or 90th percentile figures for this metro, so we cannot describe the full spread from bottom to top. What we do have: the 10th percentile sits at $125,990 and the 25th at $166,430. The jump from the 10th to the 25th alone is $40,000. From the 25th to the median is another $46,000. That steep climb across just the lower half of the range suggests meaningful pay differences by experience, employer type, and scope of responsibility even among managers who share the same job title.
Salary distribution
Where San Francisco marketing managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $174,750 and $309,110, with a median of $220,480.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.8 / 5
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Administration and Management
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 3.9 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Identify, develop, or evaluate marketing strategy, based on knowledge of establishment objectives, market characteristics, and cost and markup factors.
- 02
Formulate, direct, or coordinate marketing activities or policies to promote products or services, working with advertising or promotion managers.
- 03
Evaluate the financial aspects of product development, such as budgets, expenditures, research and development appropriations, or return-on-investment and profit-loss projections.
- 04
Develop pricing strategies, balancing firm objectives and customer satisfaction.
- 05
Compile lists describing product or service offerings.
- 06
Direct the hiring, training, or performance evaluations of marketing or sales staff and oversee their daily activities.
- 07
Consult with product development personnel on product specifications, such as design, color, or packaging.
- 08
Use sales forecasting or strategic planning to ensure the sale and profitability of products, lines, or services, analyzing business developments and monitoring market trends.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for marketing managers.
- San Jose$231,370
- San Diego$174,840
- Los Angeles$171,900
- Sacramento$164,270
- Riverside$157,670
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Marketing Managers in San Francisco, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Marketing Managers in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $220,480.
- Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Marketing Managers?
- The San Francisco metro median is +13.9% versus the California state median of $193,620.
- How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Marketing Managers?
- The San Francisco metro median is +35.0% versus the BLS national figure of $163,329.
- What is the salary range for Marketing Managers in San Francisco?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $133,990 and the 90th-percentile at $333,430 for the San Francisco metro area.
- What education is required for Marketing Managers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Francisco CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.