Table of Contents
- Key Highlights:
- Introduction
- Market Correction, Not Collapse
- Senior-Level Hiring Holds Firm
- Discipline Winners and Losers
- Hiring Takes Longer
- Salary Transparency Jumps
- Remote Work Stabilizes
- State-Level Shifts
- City-Level Standouts
- Strategic Insights from Industry Leaders
- FAQ
Key Highlights:
- The U.S. marketing job market experienced a modest 6.7% decline in job postings during Q2 2025, signaling a strategic slowdown rather than an outright collapse.
- Demand for senior-level marketing talent surged, with C-suite positions increasing by nearly 35% year-over-year, highlighting a shift toward strategic hiring.
- Seattle emerged as a key player in job creation and salary growth, reflecting broader trends in the marketing landscape.
Introduction
As the marketing landscape evolves, organizations must navigate a complex job market characterized by shifting demands and strategic hiring practices. The Q2 2025 U.S. Marketing Jobs Report, produced by Taligence in partnership with Aspen Technology Labs, offers a comprehensive analysis of over 83,000 marketing job listings, shedding light on the current employment climate. This report reveals critical insights into the dynamics of the marketing job market, including the impact of macroeconomic factors, the demand for senior talent, and the geographic shifts influencing hiring trends.
In the second quarter of 2025, the marketing job sector cooled slightly, with total job volumes down compared to the previous quarter. However, this decline does not indicate a collapse; rather, it showcases a strategic evolution within the industry. A closer look at the findings highlights the resilience of senior-level recruitment and the emerging regions that are becoming increasingly attractive for marketing professionals.
Market Correction, Not Collapse
The marketing job market’s slowdown in Q2 2025 can be attributed to various macroeconomic headwinds. While total active job listings fell to 83,754—representing a 6.7% decrease quarter-over-quarter—this downturn is more indicative of a market correction than a complete downturn. New job postings also saw a significant decline, dropping by 13.2% from the previous quarter to 51,240.
Despite the reduction in overall job postings, employers remained active in the hiring process, with a notable 22,696 employers posting marketing jobs. The quarter-end listings stood at 33,678, reflecting a 6.6% decline from the previous quarter but an increase of 0.7% year-over-year. This data suggests that while the market is adjusting, there is still a steady demand for marketing professionals, particularly those with senior-level experience.
Senior-Level Hiring Holds Firm
Amid the overall market slowdown, senior-level hiring demonstrated resilience, showcasing the industry’s commitment to attracting top-tier talent. Director-level positions and above accounted for 10,372 listings, reflecting a decline of only 2.2% quarter-over-quarter. New senior job listings also experienced a moderate decrease of 5.3%, totaling 6,388.
Interestingly, the number of senior marketing roles at the end of the quarter rose to 4,327, marking a 5.4% increase year-over-year. This trend underscores the growing prioritization of leadership roles as companies seek to enhance their strategic capabilities in a competitive environment.
Job Level Dynamics
The report delineates specific trends in job levels, revealing a stark contrast between senior and entry-level positions. C-level jobs saw a remarkable year-over-year increase of 34.8%, while VP, Sr. Director, and Group Director roles rose by 17%. Conversely, entry-level roles experienced a significant downturn, declining by 15.1% quarter-over-quarter and 6.7% year-over-year. This disparity highlights the industry’s evolving needs, favoring experienced professionals who can drive growth and innovation.
Discipline Winners and Losers
A closer examination of the various marketing disciplines reveals distinct trends in hiring. Certain roles have gained traction, while others have faced decline:
Gaining Roles
- Product Marketing: Experienced a year-over-year increase of 9.8%.
- Growth Marketing: Saw an 8.9% rise, underscoring its importance in driving business success.
- Field Marketing: Increased by 5.5%, reflecting a growing emphasis on direct engagement with customers.
- Media Roles: Grew by 4.1%, indicating a sustained interest in strategic media planning.
Declining Roles
- Partner & Channel Marketing: Faced a downturn of 12.1%.
- Comms & PR: Experienced an 11% reduction, highlighting shifts in public relations strategies.
- Digital Marketing: Saw a slight decline of 3.2%, possibly due to market saturation and evolving digital strategies.
Highest Median Pay
Product Marketing emerged as the highest-paying role, with a median salary of $160,004. This competitive compensation reflects the critical nature of product marketing in driving business success and aligning offerings with customer needs.
Hiring Takes Longer
As the job market adapts, the hiring process has become more prolonged. The average posting lifetime—the duration a job remains open—rose to 34 days, an increase of 5 days year-over-year and 3 days from Q1. This trend suggests that companies are taking additional time to carefully vet candidates, aiming to ensure that the selected talent aligns with their strategic goals.
Salary Transparency Jumps
An increasing emphasis on salary transparency has emerged, with 51.9% of marketing job listings now disclosing pay information. This marks an 8.5 percentage point increase year-over-year, reflecting a broader movement toward transparency as candidates seek clarity in compensation expectations.
Remote Work Stabilizes
The prevalence of remote work appears to have stabilized, with 14.3% of marketing jobs classified as remote, a slight decline of 0.7 percentage points year-over-year. This indicates that while remote work remains a viable option for many, organizations are also recognizing the value of in-person collaboration and team dynamics.
State-Level Shifts
Geographic trends have also played a significant role in the marketing job landscape. The report identifies the top hiring states as California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Notably, Virginia fell out of the top 10, experiencing a 12.4% decline in jobs year-over-year.
Growth States
- Texas: Saw a remarkable growth of 9.2% year-over-year.
- New York: Increased by 6.1%.
- Florida: Experienced a 3.9% rise.
Declining States
- Massachusetts: Faced an 8.9% decline in job postings.
- Georgia: Experienced an 8.2% reduction.
- Pennsylvania: Saw a drop of 6.7%.
Salary Trends
Significant salary gains were reported in Massachusetts (+21.5% year-over-year), Washington (+15.8%), and Illinois (+13.3%). Conversely, New Jersey (-18.2%) and Georgia (-12.9%) faced the largest salary drops, indicating regional disparities in compensation.
City-Level Standouts
At the city level, particular markets emerged as strongholds for marketing job opportunities. The top hiring cities included New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Seattle, Dallas, and Houston.
Growth Cities
- San Francisco: Experienced a remarkable growth of 24.6% year-over-year.
- Austin: Saw an increase of 15.2%.
- Dallas: Grew by 10.6%.
Decline Cities
- Houston: Faced a substantial decline of 10.5%.
- Atlanta: Experienced a decrease of 5.7%.
- Chicago: Saw a drop of 5.5%.
Salary Growth Leaders
Seattle distinguished itself as a city with significant salary growth, achieving an increase of 26.1% year-over-year. Boston followed with a 12.6% rise, while San Francisco reported a growth of 10.7%. This trend positions Seattle as a standout for both job creation and salary increases, reinforcing its reputation as a burgeoning market for marketing professionals.
Strategic Insights from Industry Leaders
Industry experts Michael Wright, CEO of Taligence, and Michael Woodrow, President of Aspen Technology Labs, provided insights into the underlying trends shaping the marketing job market. Wright emphasized that despite a challenging macro environment, the demand for senior marketing talent remains robust. “While entry-level hiring has cooled, demand for senior marketers remains remarkably strong,” he noted. Companies are prioritizing strategic roles that can drive impactful results, reflecting a shift in hiring practices.
Woodrow echoed this sentiment, highlighting the tightening of the marketing job market overall. “In Q2, we saw fewer postings and slower hiring,” he explained. However, the key trend of rising demand for executive and specialized talent illustrates a strategic shift among companies that are increasingly focused on leadership and expertise that can drive measurable impact.
FAQ
What does the Q2 2025 U.S. Marketing Jobs Report reveal about job market trends?
The report indicates a 6.7% decline in job postings, signifying a strategic slowdown rather than an outright collapse, with a notable demand for senior-level talent.
How has hiring for senior roles changed?
Senior-level hiring remains strong, with C-suite positions increasing by nearly 35% year-over-year, reflecting a focus on strategic leadership.
What are the key disciplines gaining or losing traction in marketing?
Product Marketing and Growth Marketing are gaining traction, while Partner & Channel Marketing and Comms & PR roles are experiencing declines.
How long does it take on average to fill marketing roles?
The average posting lifetime for marketing jobs has increased to 34 days, indicating a more deliberate hiring process.
What is the trend in salary transparency for marketing jobs?
Over half of marketing job listings now disclose salary information, reflecting a growing demand for transparency in compensation.
Which states and cities are emerging as key players in the marketing job market?
Texas, New York, and Florida are notable growth states, while Seattle has emerged as a significant city for job creation and salary growth.
