Marketing career cluster

The marketing career cluster includes sales and advertising, and focuses on influencing consumers’ buying behavior and generating sales for products and services. Just about every type of organization, from your corner grocer to regional banks, public universities to multinational corporations, participates in marketing in some way.

What happens in marketing and sales?

• Marketing uses TV, radio, magazines, newspapers, social media, and websites to promote products and services to consumers.
• Advertising is a marketing strategy that uses paid channels to promote companies and products.
• Sales work involves selling products or services to individuals, to other companies, or to large-scale distributors.

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Quick facts

Large employment with moderate growth

More than 20 million people work in sales and marketing; these fields are expected to grow moderately over the next ten years.

Many industries buy advertising

Total advertising spending in the U.S. typically exceeds $200 billion each year and is purchased by a variety of industries such as auto sales, restaurants, pharmaceuticals, travel, sports, and entertainment.

Digital advertising is growing fast

Spending on digital advertising—such as on Google, Facebook, and Amazon—has just begun to outpace traditional media.  

Retail sales is tied to technology

The future of sales is strongly tied to changes in technology that impact how retail stores interact with consumers.

Would a career in marketing be a good fit for me?

Do you have a knack for communication and creative thinking? Have a sense of competition, with others or yourself? Then a career from the marketing cluster may be for you. Here are some points to keep in mind:

• Work schedules in marketing and sales occupations typically follow a 40-hour work week, although some include evening or night shifts to accommodate customers’ schedules.
• An outgoing personality, persuasiveness, and public speaking ability are helpful qualities in many marketing and sales careers.
• A commitment to customer service is essential for most jobs.
• Some sales positions operate on commission—earnings based on sales—so earnings may vary considerably.

What are some careers in marketing?

While a few careers in marketing are shrinking, jobs in most marketing occupations are expected to increase over the next ten years, at all levels of education.

Take a look at the list below to explore examples of different marketing careers. Click any link to learn more, including typical tasks, average wages, employment projections, training requirements, and more.

High school education

Cashiers

Driver/Sales Workers

Retail Salespersons

Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

Short term training (usually from a few months to two years)

Real Estate Sales Agents

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Bachelors degree

Marketing Managers

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Public Relations Specialists

Sales Engineers

Want to see more?
See list of all occupations in this cluster

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