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Marketing Media Planning Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Marketing Media Planning Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Marketing Media Planning Manager in the United States is $114,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

However, a Marketing Media Planning Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $139,981
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $101,490 to $127,690
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,927

Key Factors That Influence Marketing Media Planning Manager Salaries

A Marketing Media Planning Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Marketing Media Planning Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Marketing Media Planning Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Media Supervisor (7+ years): $102,023
  • Director of Media Supervisor (7+ years): $97,027
  • Marketing Media Planning Manager (7+ years): $114,180
  • Director of Media Senior Manager (7+ years): $154,666
  • Director of Media Placement (7+ years): $173,817
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Media Supervisor7+ years$102,023
Director of Media Supervisor7+ years$97,027
Marketing Media Planning Manager7+ years$114,180
Director of Media Senior Manager7+ years$154,666
Director of Media Placement7+ years$173,817

How Do Marketing Media Planning Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Marketing Media Planning Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $126,490.
  • California: $125,990.
  • Massachusetts: $124,290.

Top Paying Cities for Marketing Media Planning Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $144,090
  • San Francisco: $142,490
  • Oakland: $139,490

What Skills Can Increase a Marketing Media Planning Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Insight (Mentioned in 3.04% Job Postings): Insight is the understanding cause and effect based on the identification of relationships and behaviors within a model, context, or scenario.
  • A/B Testing (Mentioned in 2.97% Job Postings): A/B Testing is also known as bucket testing or split-run testing. It's a method of user-experience research where by there are 2 variants of a single variable. A user will be tested in response to variant A against variant B, ultimately to determine the more effective variant.
  • Copywriting (Mentioned in 1.12% Job Postings): Copywriting is the act, or occupation of writing text for the purpose of advertising or other forms of marketing. The product, called copy, is written content that aims to increase brand awareness and ultimately persuade a person or group to take a particular action. Copywriters help create billboards, brochures, catalogs, jingle lyrics, magazine and newspaper advertisements, sales letters and other direct mail, scripts for television or radio commercials, taglines, white papers, social media posts, and other marketing communications.
Skills Demand Percentage
Insight 3.04%
A/B Testing 2.97%
Copywriting 1.12%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Marketing Media Planning Manager's salary.

  • Marketing Automation: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Demand Generation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Product Marketing: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Marketing Automation $127,893
12%
Demand Generation $122,183
7%
Product Marketing $122,183
7%

Marketing Media Planning Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Marketing Media Planning Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,612. While startup companies pay approximate $107,947.

Marketing Media Planning Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $107,947
Growth Stage 51~500 $114,165
Established 501~5000 $123,226
Enterprise 5000+ $127,612

Marketing Media Planning Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Marketing Media Planning Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 56% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 28% above the average. In contrast, Marketing Media Planning Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Marketing Media Planning Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Marketing Media Planning Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$146,163$70.028%
Internet$139,312$67.022%
Insurance$125,609$60.010%
Energy & Utilities$123,325$59.08%
Telecom$121,041$58.06%

How Education impacts a Marketing Media Planning Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Marketing Media Planning Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Marketing Media Planning Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $125,236 and $135,923).

Marketing Media Planning Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Marketing Media Planning Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 3.1%
Associates 5.4%
Bachelors 58.3%
Masters 31.4%
Doctorate 1.3%

Marketing Media Planning Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Marketing Media Planning Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$101,490
Average $114,190/year
$127,690
$8,458
Average $9,516/month
$10,641
$1,952
Average $2,196/week
$2,456
$49
Average $55/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,690 $10,641 $2,456 $61
Average $114,190 $9,516 $2,196 $55
25th Percentile $101,490 $8,458 $1,952 $49

Marketing Media Planning Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Marketing Media Planning Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Marketing Media Planning Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Strategic Advertising Senior Manager $154,700 35%
Director of Media Senior Manager $154,700 35%

Most common benefits for Marketing Media Planning Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Marketing Media Planning Manager

Here are companies hiring for Marketing Media Planning Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Marketing Media Planning Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Marketing Media Planning Manager?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Marketing Media Planning Manager roles, with salaries approximately 28% above the market median.

2. What is a marketing manager's salary in the US?

The salary for a Marketing Media Planning Manager in the US typically ranges from $115,490 to $154,890, with a median salary of $133,290. This reflects the specialized nature of the role, which often requires advanced skills in media strategy and planning.

3. What is the highest paying manager position?

The highest paying manager position is often the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), but other lucrative roles include Sales Manager, Financial Manager, and Marketing Media Planning Manager, with salaries ranging from $115,490 to $154,890. The median salary for a Marketing Media Planning Manager is approximately $133,290, reflecting the competitive nature of management roles in various industries.

4. What is a media planning manager?

A media planning manager develops strategies to effectively reach target audiences through various advertising channels, including social media, internet ads, TV, radio, and print. The role typically offers a salary range from $115,490 to $154,890, with a midpoint of $133,290, reflecting the importance of their expertise in engaging consumers and stakeholders.

5. Can marketing managers make 6 figures?

Yes, marketing managers can indeed make six figures. The salary data for a Marketing Media Planning Manager shows a minimum salary of $115,490, a mid-salary of $133,290, and a maximum salary of $154,890. This positions the role well within the six-figure range, reflecting its value in the industry.

6. What is paid media planner?

A paid media planner is responsible for strategizing and selecting the most effective media channels for advertising campaigns. They conduct research to understand target audiences and optimize ad placements. The salary for this role typically ranges from $115,490 to $154,890, with a midpoint of $133,290, reflecting the expertise and impact of their work in marketing.

7. How much do media planners make in the US?

Media Planners in the US can expect to earn between $115,490 and $154,890 annually, with a median salary of approximately $133,290. These figures reflect the salary range for a Marketing Media Planning Manager, highlighting the competitive compensation in this field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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