Data Scientists vs Marketing Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Marketing Managers professionals earn $48,440 more per year than Data Scientists professionals — that's 43.0% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Marketing Managers$81,900 – N/A
$63,650$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Marketing Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $81,900 | $-18,250 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $111,210 | $-28,580 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $161,030 | $-48,440 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $211,080 | $-55,270 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $171,520 | $-46,930 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Marketing Managers
384,980
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Best Cities for Marketing Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $176,240 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $176,100 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $175,560 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $173,880 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $171,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Marketing Managers?
Marketing Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $48,440 (43.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
What is the salary range for Marketing Managers?
Marketing Managers salaries range from $81,900 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,030.
How many Data Scientists and Marketing Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 384,980 Marketing Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Marketing Managers to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Marketing Managers earns $161,030. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS