Career comparison
Marketing Manager vs. Sales Manager
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Marketing managers earn more at the median ($166,790 vs. $148,270), while sales managers usually get to work faster (4 years plus 3–5 years in sales of training). Marketing managers plan campaigns and strategies that grow brands and bring in customers. Sales managers lead sales teams, set goals and drive revenue growth.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Marketing Manager | Sales Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $166,790 ($80.19/hr) | $148,270 ($71.28/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $90,260 – $293,610 | $73,170 – $290,540 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.9% (faster than average) | +4.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 34,000 | 47,300 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years plus 5+ years of experience | 4 years plus 3–5 years in sales |
| Key credential | AMA Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) | Certified Sales Leader |
| Work setting | Marketing managers work in offices or remotely, with meetings, computer work and occasional travel to events.. | Sales managers work in offices or remotely and travel to visit clients and teams.. |
What each job does
Marketing Manager
- Research markets, customers and competitors
- Develop marketing strategies and plans
- Plan and launch campaigns
- Manage budgets and agencies
- Lead marketing staff
Sales Manager
- Hire, train and coach sales reps
- Set quotas and territories
- Review pipelines and forecasts
- Analyze sales performance data
- Help close key deals
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, desk work, teamwork, and high-pay. Both are part of the sales & retail field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose marketing manager if…
- I love creative ideas
- I like data and results
- I enjoy leading teams
Choose sales manager if…
- I love leading teams
- I’ve been successful in sales
- I like coaching people
Still torn? Take the Marketing Manager fit quiz and the Sales Manager fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, marketing manager or sales manager?
Marketing Managers earn more at the median: $166,790 versus $148,270 for sales managers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Sales Managers typically train faster (4 years plus 3–5 years in sales) than marketing managers (4 years plus 5+ years of experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects marketing managers to grow +6.9% from 2025–35, compared with +4.5% for sales managers.