Marketing salaries and compensation trends

2026 Salary Guide

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We know that marketing is about much more than eye-catching creative. It’s the engine that drives awareness, engagement, and in many cases, revenue growth. But as business priorities evolve, marketing teams are navigating new pressures of tighter budgets, heightened expectations to prove ROI, and the fast rise of generative AI, which is reshaping how marketers create, analyse, and communicate without losing their creative edge.

But how are marketing leaders adapting to these changes? What skills and roles will define the next phase of growth? And how can jobseekers position themselves to stand out in an increasingly data-driven and AI-enhanced environment?

To answer all these questions, we’ve created the 2026 Robert Half Marketing Salary Guide to give hiring managers and jobseekers alike the insights and confidence to make informed decisions in this shifting landscape. Whether you’re building a team or planning your next career move, the guide provides salary benchmarks based on Robert Half’s Australian placement data, plus expert commentary on key compensation trends.

Hiring managers: Get customised salary data and insights from a Robert Half talent solutions professional.

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Enter your city to localise national average salaries. Starting salaries can vary greatly depending on a professional’s skills and experience, company size and demand for the role.

Marketing

Design

Communications

Event Management

Position title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Marketing Administrator

65000

70000

75000

Marketing Coordinator

70000

75000

80000

Marketing Advisor

80000

90000

100000

Marketing Manager

110000

140000

150000

Digital Marketing Specialist

90000

100000

110000

Digital Marketing Manager

110000

140000

150000

25th percentile

The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is building necessary skills.

50th percentile

The candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.

75th percentile

The candidate has extensive experience and advanced skills for the role, and may also have specialized certifications.

Salary range based on three percentiles The starting salaries represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or superannuation.

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2026 marketing compensation trends

Key insights at a glance

52%

of businesses say they would offer a candidate more professional development opportunities to secure them if they are unable to offer a candidate a salary within their expected range

40%

of businesses say available budget is a top factor that affects their willingness to increase a salary offer during candidate negotiations

39%

of businesses say the alignment between compensation and role requirements has helped secure preferred candidates but they still face challenges

85%

of businesses say AI proficiency will continue to drive salary growth in their organisation over the next couple of years

Cross-functional expertise powers lean teams

Organisations are strategically hiring those who can work seamlessly across functions and bridge brand, digital, and data to drive cohesive results. At a time when teams are operating lean, the focus is on professionals with a broader, more generalist skillset who understand how different marketing disciplines intersect.

Employers seek top marketers who can collaborate effectively and translate insights from multiple channels into unified campaigns that strengthen both brand performance and business growth.

Lack of skilled applicants (61%)

Meeting candidates’ salary expectations (58%)

Losing applicants to competing organisations/counteroffers (57%)

Finding candidates who align with our company culture (57%)

Next-generation marketers in high demand

Marketing teams are shifting toward short-form, attention-grabbing content that resonates quickly with audiences across digital and social platforms. This evolution is driving demand for coordinators and early-career talent who combine creative flair with technical know-how.

Individuals who can craft engaging ideas, understand audience behaviour, and use analytics and digital tools to amplify reach.

Soft skills such as adaptability, collaboration, and storytelling.

Fresh perspectives and an instinct for engagement in the fast-moving digital landscape.

AI is becoming an integral part of modern marketing, transforming how professionals approach creativity and efficiency. Marketers are increasingly using AI tools to enhance content creation and ideation, ensuring messaging is not only engaging but also aligned with brand tone and audience expectations.

of companies say AI technologies have influenced their compensation practices for roles in their organisation in the last 12 months of companies say AI technologies have influenced their compensation practices for roles in their organisation in the last 12 months

of companies say they have faced challenges when compensating AI-proficient candidates of companies say they have faced challenges when compensating AI-proficient candidates

In-demand roles, skills and industries hiring

Marketing Manager

Content Specialist

Digital Marketing Manager/Specialist

Marketing Coordinator

Graphic Designer

Communications Advisor

Events Coordinator

CMS (Wordpress, Adobe Experience Manager, etc.)

SEO

CRM (Salesforce, Oracle, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics 365, etc.)

Email marketing (Mailchimp, HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, etc.)

AI proficiency

Marketing automation

Graphic design

Social media

Campaign management

Events management

Storytelling skills

Social and communication skills

Analytical skills

Creativity

Relevant bachelor's degrees, such as a Bachelor of Marketing, Bachelor of Communications (Marketing/Advertising/PR), or Bachelor of Design

Google Ads certification

Adobe qualifications

Not-for-profit

Financial services

E-commerce

Retail

Professional services

Insurance

Health

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How to improve corporate culture Explore some key strategies and discover how to improve corporate culture using figures from the latest study conducted by Robert Half.

The salaries listed in Robert Half’s Salary Guide are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on real compensation data from professionals Robert Half has successfully matched with employers across Australia.

The salaries listed in the salary tables represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits, or superannuation. We report salaries in three percentiles, recognising that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.

The non-salary data presented in this Salary Guide is derived from an online survey conducted by an independent research firm commissioned by Robert Half in October 2025. The survey gathered responses from 500 finance, accounting, IT and technology, and HR hiring managers employed by a diverse range of organisations in Australia, including SMEs and large companies.