What the numbers say
Columbus sits nearly in line with Ohio on Marketing Manager pay. The 2024 median here was $133,500, just $840 above the state median of $132,660. That gap is small enough to be noise. The more telling comparison is to the national figure: the US median for this occupation was $154,215, putting Columbus about 13% below.
About 2,040 Marketing Managers worked in the metro in 2024. That's a meaningful local concentration, large enough to suggest real hiring activity across consumer brands, healthcare systems, and financial services firms that anchor the Columbus economy.
The spread between high and low earners is wide. The 10th percentile came in at $78,380, the 90th at $220,480. Top earners here make about 2.8 times what those at the bottom of the distribution make. The average wage of $147,090 also sits well above the median of $133,500, which tells us a smaller group of senior or specialized managers pulls the average up. That kind of gap typically shows up in markets where a handful of large employers pay at a different level than the broader field.
Columbus is not a standout market for this occupation on the headline number alone. But the employment base is real, and the upper end of the pay range competes with larger metros.
Salary distribution
Where Columbus marketing managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $105,770 and $177,650, with a median of $134,420.
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 Ohio
How the Columbus metro compares to other major Ohio metro areas for marketing managers.
- Cincinnati$145,770
- Cleveland$129,300
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Marketing Managers in Columbus, Ohio?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Marketing Managers in the Columbus metropolitan area is $134,420.
- Does Columbus pay more than the Ohio state average for Marketing Managers?
- The Columbus metro median is +1.6% versus the Ohio state median of $132,330.
- How does Columbus compare to the national median for Marketing Managers?
- The Columbus metro median is -17.7% versus the BLS national figure of $163,329.
- What is the salary range for Marketing Managers in Columbus?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $82,950 and the 90th-percentile at $224,440 for the Columbus 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 Columbus 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.