How Much Does a Promotions Manager Make? (2025)
A promotions manager supervises and executes sales promotion techniques to advance marketing campaigns and advertising campaigns. They assess and propose strategies to enhance market positioning and brand recognition. Promotions managers work across various sectors and oversee supplier negotiations, material allocation, and daily team activities. They guarantee that projects achieve objectives, adhere to marketing budgets, and comply with timelines, with complete control over personnel decisions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an 8% growth in promotions manager employment from 2023 to 2033, significantly faster than average. Around 36,600 job openings are expected annually due to workforce turnover, including retirements and career changes.
Here are more details on advertising and promotions managers' salary trends, the highest-paying industries, career advancement prospects, and common questions about pursuing this job title.
Average Promotions Manager Salary
As of August 25, 2025, the average annual salary for promotions managers in the U.S. is $105,600. Promotions manager salary ranges generally between $95,260 and $119,830, depending on factors such as experience, location, and required skills.
2025 Promotions Manager Salary: $105,600 per year ($51 per hour)
Based on data from Salary.com, the average monthly salary for a promotions manager is $8,800, with an average weekly pay of $2,031. The typical hourly wage for employees in this role is around $51.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $41 | $1,651 | $7,154 | $85,846 |
| 25th Percentile | $46 | $1,832 | $7,938 | $95,260 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $51 | $2,031 | $8,800 | $105,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $58 | $2,304 | $9,986 | $119,830 |
| 90th Percentile | $64 | $2,554 | $11,065 | $132,786 |
Promotions Manager Salaries State by State
Salaries for promotions managers can vary significantly by state, with factors such as local economic conditions, cost of living, business presence, and demand for skilled marketing professionals being key contributors. Experienced promotions managers typically earn higher salaries in states where the cost of living is elevated and the demand for skilled workers is strong.
The District of Columbia ($116,920), California ($116,470), and Massachusetts ($114,920) are the highest-paying states for promotions managers, while Mississippi has the lowest average salary at $94,170.
Below are the average annual salaries for promotions managers across leading industries in different states in the U.S. as of August 25, 2025.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $114,310 |
| Alabama | $97,010 |
| Arkansas | $95,400 |
| Arizona | $102,890 |
| California | $116,470 |
| Colorado | $107,740 |
| Connecticut | $112,850 |
| District of Columbia | $116,920 |
| Delaware | $106,940 |
| Florida | $99,920 |
| Georgia | $101,850 |
| Hawaii | $110,370 |
| Iowa | $101,060 |
| Idaho | $98,570 |
| Illinois | $107,630 |
| Indiana | $101,360 |
| Kansas | $100,550 |
| Kentucky | $99,370 |
| Louisiana | $100,400 |
| Massachusetts | $114,920 |
| Maryland | $108,880 |
| Maine | $102,960 |
| Michigan | $103,990 |
| Minnesota | $108,060 |
| Missouri | $100,330 |
| Mississippi | $94,170 |
| Montana | $99,690 |
| North Carolina | $100,350 |
| North Dakota | $104,310 |
| Nebraska | $99,480 |
| New Hampshire | $106,750 |
| New Jersey | $114,460 |
| New Mexico | $97,800 |
| Nevada | $104,510 |
| New York | $112,260 |
| Ohio | $102,820 |
| Oklahoma | $97,630 |
| Oregon | $107,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $105,120 |
| Rhode Island | $109,480 |
| South Carolina | $98,940 |
| South Dakota | $95,970 |
| Tennessee | $98,680 |
| Texas | $103,000 |
| Utah | $101,120 |
| Virginia | $106,340 |
| Vermont | $103,640 |
| Washington | $114,500 |
| Wisconsin | $103,870 |
| West Virginia | $95,090 |
| Wyoming | $101,270 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Promotions Manager?
Just like state-level variations, promotions manager salaries can vary greatly by city, driven by factors such as the cost of living, education, local demand, and the job market.
For example, cities in California, such as San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland, offer some of the highest average annual salaries for promotions managers, making them attractive destinations for advertising managers and others in the field.
| City | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $133,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $131,880 |
| Oakland, CA | $128,950 |
| New York, NY | $122,370 |
| Queens Village, NY | $121,580 |
| Paramus, NJ | $120,740 |
| Passaic, NJ | $120,630 |
| Bergenfield, NJ | $120,530 |
| Stamford, CT | $120,370 |
| Huntington, NY | $120,260 |
| Newark, NJ | $119,580 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $119,370 |
How Experience Affects Promotions Manager Salary?
The salary for a promotions manager also rises with experience. According to the report, entry-level promotions managers earn approximately $101,742 annually. After 1 to 2 years of experience, the salary increases slightly to $102,205.
Promotions managers with 2 to 4 years of experience typically earn around $103,285, while promotions managers with 5 to 8 years of experience make about $104,520. Those with over 8 years of experience can expect a median salary of $107,087.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level Promotions Manager | $101,742 |
| Intermediate-Level Promotions Manager | $102,205 |
| Senior-Level Promotions Manager | $103,285 |
| Specialist-Level Promotions Manager | $104,520 |
| Expert-Level Promotions Manager | $107,087 |
How to Increase Salary as a Promotions Manager?
For job seekers aiming to boost their salary as a promotions manager, there are several strategies that can enhance earning potential:
- Gain more experience: As you progress from entry-level to intermediate, senior, and expert-level positions, your salary will naturally rise. With more experience, you can command higher pay. Generally, the job title necessitates five years of experience in the related field as an individual contributor. A strong understanding of the role or supervisory experience of 1 to 3 years may also be necessary.
- Specialize in high-demand skills: Focus on specialized areas like sales closing, sales planning, and lead generation. These niches often come with higher pay due to the specialized expertise required.
- Work in higher-paying locations: Salaries for promotions managers can vary greatly by location. Moving to cities like San Jose, CA ($133,190), or New York, NY ($122,370), can significantly increase your earning potential, driven by the higher cost of living and increased demand for skilled professionals.
- Learn the important qualities: According to BLS, advertising, promotions, and marketing managers, including promotions managers, need strong analytical, decision-making, and organizational skills to evaluate industry trends, choose effective promotional strategies, and efficiently manage time, budgets, and teams. They must also be creative, persuasive communicators with excellent communication skills to collaborate with other managers and engage the public.
Promotions Manager Skills
Promotions managers with specialized, in-demand skills have the potential to significantly increase their earnings. According to the Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, professionals with expertise in sales closing can see a salary increase of 13.21%, while those skilled in sales planning may experience a salary boost of 11.20%.
Here are some key skills for promotions managers and the potential salary increases that come with mastering them:
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Closing | 10.00% | 13.21% |
| Sales Planning | 10.50% | 11.20% |
| Lead Generation | 10.50% | 11.02% |
| Channel Management | 10.00% | 10.91% |
| Brand Development | 10.50% | 9.92% |
| Digital Advertising | 10.50% | 9.88% |
Promotions Manager Salary FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about promotions managers:
What do promotions managers do?
Promotions managers generally perform the following tasks:
- Develops and implements sales promotion policies, programs, and initiatives aligned with the organization's marketing and branding strategy.
- Conducts research and evaluates tactics to strengthen the market positioning of products or services.
- Crafts and communicates brand messaging or ads to enhance brand awareness and public perception.
- Identifies and negotiates with suppliers for promotional merchandise, including pricing and delivery terms.
- Coordinates the distribution of promotional materials across internal departments.
- Oversees day-to-day operations of subordinate staff and serves as the first-level manager.
- Ensures departmental goals and project milestones are achieved within approved budgets.
- Holds full authority over personnel decisions and staffing actions.
What is the highest salary for promotions managers?
The top salary for a promotions manager is estimated at approximately $107,087, generally awarded to the highest employment level or expert level professionals with specialized skills, extensive experience, or roles at larger companies in high-demand sectors.
What qualifications do I need to be a promotions manager?
According to BLS, promotions managers often require a bachelor's degree in a business discipline, such as marketing, or in a related field, such as communications. Applicable courses may encompass consumer behavior, market research, and art history. Certain employers favor candidates possessing a master's degree. Generally, five years of expertise in the relevant field is required, and 1 to 3 years of supervising experience may be necessary.
Promotions managers must exhibit active listening, creativity, and innovation to effectively develop advertisements that draw attention from customers and clients. They are often responsible for media buying, engaging in public relations, and allocating resources in impactful ways to support the organization's promotional goals. They might also develop contests and giveaways to drive engagement and loyalty.
