What the numbers say
Memphis came in almost exactly at the Tennessee median for Marketing Managers in 2024. The metro median was $130,960, just $700 above the state figure of $130,260. Both sit about 15% below the national median of $154,215.
That gap from the national figure is worth noting. Memphis is a logistics and distribution hub, and Marketing Manager roles here tend to cluster around those industries rather than the consumer tech or financial services sectors that push national averages up. The result is a competitive local market with pay that tracks the state closely but trails the US as a whole.
The spread within the metro tells a different story about how varied the role can be. A Marketing Manager at the 10th percentile earned around $74,140 in 2024. At the 90th, the figure was $226,600. Top earners made roughly three times what the lowest earners made, one of the wider ranges we see for management occupations at this employment scale. The mean of $146,170 running above the median confirms that a smaller group of high-paid managers pulls the average up.
About 1,220 Marketing Managers worked in the Memphis metro, a modest count for a city of this size. The relatively small pool can cut both ways: fewer open roles in any given quarter, but also a local market where individual employers have more influence over pay than in a city with thousands of competing managers and dozens of hiring companies.
Salary distribution
Where Memphis marketing managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,810 and $178,500, with a median of $132,540.
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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How the Memphis metro compares to other major Tennessee metro areas for marketing managers.
- Nashville$135,370
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Marketing Managers in Memphis, Tennessee?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Marketing Managers in the Memphis metropolitan area is $132,540.
- Does Memphis pay more than the Tennessee state average for Marketing Managers?
- The Memphis metro median is +0.4% versus the Tennessee state median of $131,990.
- How does Memphis compare to the national median for Marketing Managers?
- The Memphis metro median is -18.9% versus the BLS national figure of $163,329.
- What is the salary range for Marketing Managers in Memphis?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,550 and the 90th-percentile at $230,420 for the Memphis 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 Memphis 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.