SOC 1132 Corporate managers and directors

Marketing, sales and advertising directors Salary

Median salary £90,000 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £90,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For marketing, sales and advertising directors, £94,135 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +141% versus the national average. Experienced marketing, sales and advertising directors (top 25%) earn over £131,906.

About this role

Marketing, sales and advertising directors develop and execute strategies to drive revenue growth, brand awareness and market share. They lead teams across marketing, sales and advertising functions, managing budgets and measuring campaign effectiveness.

Key responsibilities

Developing and implementing marketing and sales strategies
Managing advertising campaigns and brand positioning
Analysing market trends, customer data and competitive landscape
Leading and developing marketing and sales teams
Managing budgets and demonstrating return on investment

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in marketing, business or a related field, plus substantial commercial experience. Professional qualifications from CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) are valued.

Career outlook

Strong demand, particularly for those with digital marketing expertise, data-driven decision-making skills and experience with marketing technology platforms.

Key skills

Strategic marketing Digital marketing Data analytics Brand management Commercial awareness

Common industries

All commercial sectors
Media and advertising
Technology
Retail
FMCG

Data coverage

SOC code 1132

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 216,000

Median Salary

£90,000

Mean Salary

£108,331

Jobs (000s)

216k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £37kP25: £60kMedian: £90kP75: £132kP90: £180k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£36,561

0-2 years

Mid Level

£60,138

3-7 years

Senior

£131,906

8-15 years

Leadership

£179,747

15+ years

Potential career growth: +392% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +31.6%Real growth: -4.6%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 18.3%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£90,000

Full-time Only

£94,135

Full-time premium: +£4,135

Marketing, sales and advertising directors salary: common questions

How much do marketing, sales and advertising directors earn in the UK?

Marketing, sales and advertising directors earn a median of £94,135 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £60,138 and £131,906.

Is £94,135 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for marketing, sales and advertising directors?

Entry-level marketing, sales and advertising directors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £60,138, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £36,561.

How much do the highest-paid marketing, sales and advertising directors earn?

The best-paid 10% of marketing, sales and advertising directors earn over £179,747 a year, and the top 25% over £131,906 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have marketing, sales and advertising directors salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median marketing, sales and advertising directors pay has risen from £73,260 to £94,135 — +28% in cash terms, or -7.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for marketing, sales and advertising directors?

Male marketing, sales and advertising directors earn a median £95,000 and female marketing, sales and advertising directors £77,658 — a gap of +18% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).