Marketing Managers in District of Columbia. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Marketing Managers in DC earned a median of $168,080 in 2024, about 9% above the national median of $154,215. The mean was higher at $183,460, which tells us a smaller group of senior managers pull the average well above what most in the role take home.
The spread from the 10th to the 75th percentile runs from $102,470 to $215,210. That is a wide range, and it reflects how differently the role plays out here. A marketing manager at a trade association, a federal contractor, and a major lobbying firm may all carry the same job title but sit in very different salary bands.
DC's cost-of-living index sits at 117.7, meaning prices run nearly 18% above the national baseline. Adjusted for that, the median wage lands closer to $142,800 in national-baseline dollars, which narrows the headline premium to roughly 7% below the US median. The nominal advantage shrinks once you account for what the money actually buys.
BLS projects employment for this occupation to grow 6.6% between 2024 and 2034, a faster rate than average. DC's concentration of nonprofits, government contractors, and policy-focused organizations likely sustains demand in ways that differ from metro areas driven by consumer goods or retail marketing.
Salary distribution
Where District of Columbia marketing managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $139,510 and $231,330, with a median of $177,170.
Marketing Managers in District of Columbia: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 7 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $230,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $137,500 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $155,272 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 5 | $230,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Marketing Managers in District of Columbia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| The American Chemical Society | Director of Innovation | 3 | $230,000 |
| Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company | Senior Client Manager | 1 | $137,500 |
| DANAHER CORPORATION | Vice President, Strategic Development | 1 | $427,744 |
| National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives | Director of Membership Operations | 1 | $155,272 |
| Special Olympics, Inc. | Chief Communications, Development & Marketing Officer | 1 | $320,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Director of Innovation at The American Chemical Society$230,000WashingtonWage Level IVDecided Sep 19, 2025I-200-25255-306448
- Vice President, Strategic Development at DANAHER CORPORATION$427,744WashingtonWage Level IVDecided Jul 1, 2025I-200-25175-125686
- Director of Membership Operations at National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives$155,272WashingtonWage Level IIDecided Jun 13, 2025I-200-25157-060955
- Chief Communications, Development & Marketing Officer at Special Olympics, Inc.$320,000WashingtonWage Level IVDecided May 20, 2025I-200-25133-970917
- Senior Client Manager at Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company$137,500WashingtonWage Level IDecided May 6, 2025I-200-25119-916858
- Director of Innovation at The American Chemical Society$230,000WashingtonWage Level IVDecided Jan 21, 2025I-200-25013-613987
- Director of Innovation at The American Chemical Society$230,000WashingtonWage Level IVDecided Jan 17, 2025I-200-25010-611613
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Marketing Managers pay by experience level in District of Columbia
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Marketing Managers in District of Columbia, by industry
Median offered wage across 7 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Nonprofit and civic leads with a median of $230,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofit and civic | The American Chemical Society | 5 | $230,000 |
| Finance and insurance | Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company | 1 | $137,500 |
| Manufacturing | DANAHER CORPORATION | 1 | $427,744 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in District of Columbia over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
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.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+6.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for marketing managers in major District of Columbia metropolitan areas.
- Washington, D.C.$181,260
Compare Marketing Managers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Marketing Managers in District of Columbia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Marketing Managers in District of Columbia is $177,170.
- How does District of Columbia compare to the national median for Marketing Managers?
- The District of Columbia median is +8.5% versus the BLS national figure of $163,329.
- What is the salary range for Marketing Managers in District of Columbia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $107,400 and the 90th-percentile at $291,740, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Marketing Managers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 6.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- 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. Wage data reflects BLS estimates 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.