What is the Average Salary for Marketing Careers?

Name: Ann Burgess
Job Title: Web Marketing Manager/Web Content Manager (Editorial, Promotions & Co-Branding)
Where: Calgary, Alberta – Canada
Employer: Shoptoit.ca
Years of Experience: 1.5 years in this position, and 6 Years of marketing in the oil and gas industry
Other Relevant Experience: Recreational shopping and fashion design
Education: International Academy of Design and Merchandising, Toronto, Ontario
Annual Salary: What is the average salary for marketing managers? Use PayScale’s Research Center to find Marketing Manager Salaries, Marketing Director Salaries, and Web Content Manager Salaries.

Over the past ten years, the Internet has noticeably altered traditional methods of shopping, thus launching a boom of companies setting up business through online store fronts. And with the rising cost of fuel, many shoppers are inclined to look online for their purchases rather than driving to the mall. But just like any successful retail store, online stores require teams of qualified professionals to keep them operating at their full potential.

For this Salary Story, we hear from Ann Burgess, an essential part of the team at Shoptoit.ca, a Canada based e-commerce website. Starting her journey in a fashion design career, Burgess eventually moved on to a brief stint as a receptionist before finding her way into her current position in online web marketing and content management. Read on to find some helpful pointers for launching your own online marketing career.

Web Marketing Manager Job Description:
I am the editorial, promotions and co-brand manager of Shoptoit.ca. We are an online shopping search engine catering to Canadians. Shoptoit.ca was formed in 2005 by three brilliant entrepreneurial minds that were sick to death of shopping on US sites and experiencing the setbacks of border duties, ineffective cross-border warranties, shipping costs and all the other things that come along with it. Within no time, Shoptoit.ca had struck deals with big hitters like Yahoo.ca, and AOL.ca to power their shopping engines. And, because we offer bilingual services, our number of Quebec co-brand partners grew quickly as well.

I was brought on board in January 2007 as the editorial, promotions and co-brand manager. Before then, Shoptoit.ca (and our co-brand partners) had no editorial support to promote the major shopping events of the year. My role was to create relevant content that would promote our merchants and their products, while providing a useful research tool to online shoppers. Our editorial library encompasses buying guides like "How to Buy a BBQ" and gift suggestions like "Mother's Day Gifts for New Moms." I was also responsible for working with our sales and design departments to create compelling promotional packages for shopping events and seasons like Valentine's Day, Summer, and Halloween, to name a few.

The goal of bringing me on board was to increase traffic and conversions on our site, and our co-brand sites. So the third main responsibility I hold is to interact with our co-brand partners to get as much exposure on their front pages, and shopping relevant channels, like Lifestyles etc., as possible. This results in increased traffic, increased revenue, and increased awareness of their shopping channel.

PayScale: How did you begin your career in web marketing?
My education is in fashion design, which I worked feverishly at for many years with a partner, then on my own, but never without a supporting job. I learned quickly that unless you have the business skills and marketing savvy to properly promote yourself, fashion designing under your own label is an uphill battle.

I fell into marketing from reception work. I have always had an eye for design and found myself creating invitations and ad campaign mock-ups to keep myself busy at my first reception job. They quickly promoted me into marketing where I worked in promotion, events, and sales. After six years of that at two different oil and gas software service providers, I felt starved for creative subject matter. I longed for something I really connected with and enjoyed. I was referred to Shoptoit.ca by the husband of my last boss and ever since, I haven’t looked back!

Salaries of Business Managers

Name: Hany Maurice
Job Title: Regional Business Development Manager
Where: Dubai, AL – United Arab Emirates
Current Employer: Grapheast Computers LLC
Years of Experience: 3 years
Education: B.S. in Information Technology from Cairo University, Egypt, School of Computers and Information. Oracle Certified Professional in Applications Development.
Other Relevant Experience: Over five years of working experience in the field of IT (System Analyst, Pre-Sales and Senior Account Manager).
Annual Salary: See PayScale's Research Center for the median salaries of business managers and business management salaries by city. Also, learn how to increase your salary with an MBA.

Have you ever asked, “What is the role of a business manager?” The job description of a business manager depends for the most part on how a company is structured. In general terms, a business manager's job description can be summed up with one primary goal, to “grow the company." Of course, that kind of goal is always easier said than done. Business managers are responsible for increasing brand awareness, attracting new customers, and communicating with clients. In addition, the job description of a business manager involves managing employees and reaching company goals.

In this Salary Story, we hear from Hany Maurice, a business development manager for Grapheast Computers, the sole distributor of Adobe and other design products for the Middle East. Maurice answers the question, “What is the role of a business manager?” and shares what skills will lead to earning the most rewarding business management salaries. Learn more about the job description of a business manager and the salaries of business managers at PayScale.com.

Job description of a Business Manager:

My job responsibilities include: creating a channel of partners to increase our sales network, training country managers to establish a good knowledge in the new enterprise product base, managing sales activities with the key accounts across the Middle East and North Africa, increasing market share, preparing for events in order to spread awareness of our new business line, building business prospects, preparing sales and marketing material, and studying the market competition.

PayScale: How did you get started as a business manager?

I enjoy this career, and was attracted to it because it matches my extroverted character type. That adds value to me, plus I enjoy practicing the excellent communication and presentation skills which are heavily required in this kind of job.

I originally started as a pre-sales engineer. Since I have that strong technical knowledge, it helps me to be able to talk technical with IT managers, and CIO's.  Additionally, I have a strong business knowledge that enables me to efficiently communicate with business decision makers, and justify the solutions in terms of ROI (return on investment) and TCO (total cost of ownership).

Executive Recruiter Career - How to Become a Headhunter

Name: Ryan Cook
Job Title:Job Recruiter/Headhunter/Direct Hire Consultant
Where: Overland Park, KS
Employer: Personnel Connection (A Division of Spencer Reed Group, LLC)
Years of Experience: Almost one year
Other Relevant Experience: Started in the mortgage business.
Education: Avila University - B.A. in Corporate Communication.
Annual Salary: See PayScale's Research Center to find the median income for an executive recruiter, including management-level executive recruiter career compensation.

Ryan Cook doesn't mind being called a "headhunter." It might sound harsh, but the term has become synonymous with working as a recruiter. In his role as a professional recruiter, companies give Ryan specific positions that they need to fill. He then hunts down and delivers qualified candidates for those positions. The task may sound straightforward, but a career as a job recruiter is multifaceted. At one moment Ryan is networking to find potential candidates. At the next moment, he's interviewing candidates to match their interests with job positions. When he finds a good match, Ryan will market and pitch his candidates to employers, highlighting their qualifications.

In this Salary Story, Ryan shares the inside thrills, challenges, and lighter side of headhunting. If you're interested in playing "career matchmaker," but not too keen on the sales aspect of being a job recruiter, check out careers in human resources. You'll find info on a human resources salary and income as an executive recruiter at PayScale.com.

How would you describe your work as a Job Recruiter?
Ryan Cook: I provide a free service to people looking to make a career move. I have businesses that pay me fees for talented candidates that would not be found if it weren't for me. Basically, I network over the phone all day scouring the business world for people that my clients need to make or save their company money. It is the most rewarding inside sales position I have ever had, and will ever have. I am a Job Recruiter, a Headhunter, and I love it. I wheel and deal people. It is a lot of fun and when you place somebody that absolutely loves their new position, it is hypnotizing. You know the Monster.com commercials? I feel like I am writing the script to those every time I complete the process.

PayScale: How did you get started as a Job Recruiter?
Ryan Cook: I knew if there was any resource I could sell, that would never run out, it would be people. A family friend who was a marketing manager in the telecom industry exposed me to it when I was in college. From then on I was hooked. I knew it would be my career, it was just a matter of when, where, and how I would get into it.

Sales Engineer Salaries

Name: Dan Holmes
Job Title: Sales Engineer
Where: Seattle, WA
Employer: Siemens
Education: University of Idaho, Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
Annual Salary: See PayScale's Research Center for median sales engineer salaries, including sales engineering starting salaries and post-graduate salaries in engineering sales.

Engineering is one of those fields that has enormous growth potential within various specialty areas. "Engineer" can mean anything from petroleum engineer to computer engineer. While all engineering jobs focus to some degree on solving technical problems, most of us probably don't associate engineering with customer relations and sales. However, Dan Holmes, a Sales Engineer, fills a key area within his company, combining his technical knowledge with his outgoing personality to serve and build customer relationships. He gave us a few tips on the benefits of working as a Sales Engineer, plus advice on how to succeed in this type of engineering career.

Sales Engineer Job Description:
Dan: I manage strategic customer relationships and provide a strategic plan for customer equipment migrations and maintenance.

PayScale: How did you get started as a Sales Engineer?
Dan: I went to college with a plan to get this type of job. I have never enjoyed working in one place, and I have always wanted to be out working with customers. My engineering degree opened the door for a technical sales role, which was ideal for me.

Customer Service Salary Survey

Name: Heather Johnson
Job Title: Customer Service
Where: Rocklin, CA (Soon to be Wasilla, Alaska)
Employer: Sportsman's Warehouse
Years of Experience: 4 months
Education: Masters Degree in Kinesiology, California State University
Salary: See the PayScale Research Center for the results of our customer service salary survey

Customer Service Salary Survey

Are you the helpful type with a friendly personality? Do you have a definition of customer service or feel strongly about providing customers with the best service? If so, you may want to check out a customer service job. In this Salary Story, Heather Johnson told us about her customer service representative job description, her own definition of customer service and the outlook for customer service jobs.

There are many definitions of customer service and ideas about how to create customer satisfaction. But all customer service representatives have to practice patience, problem-solving, and treating customers with respect. If you're a match for becoming a customer service representative and want to know more about the typical customer service job or salary, then keep reading - the info in this interview is a real bargain!

Career as a Financial Advisor

Name: Russell Bailyn
Job Title: Financial Advisor and Wealth Manager
Where: New York, NY
Employer: Premier Financial Advisors: an independent financial planning & investment advisory firm
Years of Experience as a Financial Advisor: 5
Education: Bachelor of Science from New York University. I’m also on my way to becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Salary: While I prefer not to disclose my specific financial advisor salary, I’d estimate the average salary of a financial advisor (who is established) to be in the ballpark of $100K-$200K.

Career as a Financial Advisor

IRA’s, 401k’s, IPO’s…. Unless you’re a do-it-yourselfer, or planning to become a financial advisor, the world of finance can be intimidating. Enter Russell Bailyn. In addition to his career as a financial advisor and wealth manager, he has written a blog (and a forthcoming book) on the biz. He recently gave us his outlook on the average salary of a financial advisor and what it's like to have a career as a financial advisor.

He also gave us tips on how to become a financial advisor, choosing a financial advisor, and developing a successful career as a financial advisor. In regards to the average salary of a financial advisor, he explained how commissions and fees come into play.

Being a financial advisor involves more than just crunching numbers. If you're interested in helping clients meet their financial goals, a career as a financial advisor may be just right. Keep reading to find out more about how to become a financial advisor and what factors will impact the average salary of a financial advisor.

Mom Returns to Work: Average Receptionist Salary

Name: Therese Landefield
Job Title: Front Desk Receptionist
Where: Seattle, Washington
Years of Experience: 1+
Salary: $16.35 – hourly wage (See PayScale's Research Center for the average receptionist salary)
Employer: Atlas

Mom Returns to Work: Average Receptionist Salary

For anyone returning to work after taking time off to raise children and run a household, this Salary Story offers valuable advice. We recently interviewed front desk receptionist Therese Landefield about her transition from stay-at-home-mom to professional receptionist. She filled us in on what it was like to go back to work after years away from a 9 to 5 job. For readers who are nervous about taking the leap from full-time mom to employee, Therese offered tips on writing resumes, finding the job you want, and how to translate the hard work you've been doing at home into marketable skills in the workplace.

This interview is also helpful for anyone looking into receptionist jobs and the average receptionist salary. Therese gave us info on her job as a receptionist, as well as her practical and inspiring approach to work, life, and the pursuit of personal goals.

 

Front Desk Receptionist Job Description:

The front receptionist is important to the company because many times he or she makes the first impression of the company to the client. So I answer the phone, “Good morning, Atlas, how may I help you?” Then they tell me, “Please connect me.” And I say, “One moment please, I’ll transfer you.” And then I transfer them. Sometimes it’s difficult and the transfers don’t go through. I usually go back on the line and say, “Excuse me, the transfer failed, let me try again.”

Real Estate Agent Salary

Name: George F. Lamson III
Job Title: Real Estate Agent
Where: Seattle, Washington
Education: Bachelors
Years of Experience: 5+
Salary: 100% Commission
Employer: John L. Scott Real Estate

Real Estate Agent Job Description:

As a Seattle real estate agent, I am typically working with several buyers and sellers, around 10 or 15 at a time. The reason I have so many is because there are people buying throughout the year, but some people may take 3 months or 6 months to buy. One of the tools I use is the Multiple Listing Service For Real Estate Sales.