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Product marketing manager salary range
According to four major job sites, the salary for a product marketing manager ranges from $94,353 to $105,421.
- Payscale: $94,353
- Ziprecruiter: $98,399
- Glassdoor: $105,421
- Indeed: $96,516
Average product marketing manager salary
So, the average product marketing manager salary is $98,672 in the United States. Not a bad average salary.
And these numbers don’t include bonuses, incentive compensation, or benefits.
But a product marketing manager salary will vary depending on the company and location.
If you’re working for a major tech company, there’s a high likelihood your salary would be higher than working for a startup.
And if you’re a product marketing manager in NYC or LA, you’ll probably make more money than someone in Dallas.
For example:
Product marketing manager Google salary
The average product marketing manager salary at Google is $134,000, with salaries reported as high as $326,000.
Product marketing manager Microsoft salary
And the average product marketing manager salary at Microsoft is almost $136,000.
No matter what, as a product marketing manager, you’ll have an excellent salary and benefits.
What is a product marketing manager
A product marketing manager is responsible for marketing a company’s products or services.
They are in charge of creating and managing the marketing strategy for their products. Their job involves product development, market research, pricing, advertising, promotion, and more.
What does a product marketing manager do
A product marketing manager should have a deep understanding of their target market and be able to create campaigns that will resonate with them.
They should be able to develop a product roadmap and work with the sales team to ensure that the products are being marketed correctly.
They should also be able to track the performance of their campaigns and adjust them accordingly.
Where do product marketing managers work
Product marketing managers can work in various industries but are most commonly found in the tech industry.
Yet they can also be found in any industry, including automotive, retail, and healthcare.
It depends on the companies marketing philosophy. For example, some companies will have product managers who also take on a product’s marketing responsibilities. In contrast, other organizations separate product management from product marketing.
For example, when I was at General Electric (GE), many of our product managers were pure engineers. They did not want, nor were they capable of overseeing the marketing of products.
So, GE had a separate group of product marketing professionals working with the product management team.
Product marketing manager job requirements
Most companies are looking for someone with a minimum of five years of experience in marketing.
But if you have less experience, don’t despair. Startups are always looking for go-getters willing to learn and grow with the company.
In terms of education, a product marketing manager should have at least a bachelor’s degree, but many companies prefer a master’s degree.
Many people move into product marketing from another area, such as sales or product management. Having outside experience can benefit a product marketer because they will better understand how the product works and how to sell it.
Key skills for a product marketing manager
Some critical skills that are important for a product marketing manager are:
- The ability to develop and execute marketing plans
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- The ability to work well under
How to become a product marketing manager
If you have no experience in product marketing, you may need to start as an associate product marketing manager.
An associate product marketing manager is responsible for supporting the product marketing manager in developing and executing marketing plans.
They may also be responsible for conducting market research, creating marketing materials, and managing social media accounts.
If you want to move into a product marketing manager role, gaining experience in all aspects of marketing is essential.
Here are six steps to become a product marketing manager
1. Get a degree in marketing or a related field
A marketing degree is not a requirement. However, it will give you a solid foundation in marketing principles.
And if you want to move into a management role, many companies prefer candidates with a master’s degree.
2. Start as an intern or entry-level position in marketing
Once you obtain a degree, you can start your career in marketing as an intern or entry-level position.
An entry-level position will allow you to learn about different aspects of marketing and see if it’s the right fit for you.
3. Gain experience in all aspects of marketing
If you want to move into a product marketing manager role, you must have a well-rounded skill set.
That means gaining experience in marketing, including market research, copywriting, and social media.
4. Move into an associate product marketing manager role
If you have no experience in product marketing, you can start as an assistant product marketing manager.
In this role, you will support the product marketing manager in developing and executing marketing plans.
5. Continue your education and stay up-to-date on industry trends
Although a marketing degree is not required, it can be helpful to have one.
And if you want to move into a management role, many companies prefer candidates with a master’s degree.
It’s also important to stay up-to-date on industry trends to adapt your marketing plans accordingly.
6. Become a product marketing manager
Once you have the necessary experience, you can apply for a product marketing manager role.
If your company doesn’t have open positions, consider openings with competitors or other companies within your industry.
Remember that, on average, your salary will increase 5-10% when you’re promoted within your company.
However, switching companies could increase your salary by 20-30%.
Alternative Path: Product Marketing Consultant
You might consider becoming a product marketing consultant if you’re skilled at product marketing. As a consultant, you would help companies with their product marketing plans.
Freelance marketing consulting can be a great option if you want more flexibility or want to work with various companies.
I’ve conducted many consulting projects with large enterprises and small startups. Many small and large companies don’t have specialized product marketers. Instead, they often have marketing generalists that are trying to do everything.
As a product marketing consultant, you could provide the specialized expertise they need. Plus, you’d have unlimited potential income.
If you’re interested in learning more click here to read our article on How to Become a Marketing Consultant.
