Looking for the latest information about creative and marketing salaries? We've got the scoop.

Starting creative and marketing salaries are expected to go up an average of 3.6 percent in the year ahead, according to the 2017 Salary Guide. Generally speaking, the competition for top talent is tight and job candidates have the upper hand when negotiating salaries and benefits.

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“As companies continue to increase marketing spend, demand for creative talent remains strong,” says Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group. “But with unemployment levels in the industry trending below the average, recruiting and retaining highly skilled professionals is a challenge. Because of the competitive hiring environment, job seekers with in-demand skills can expect to see higher starting salaries and more perks, like remote work options and on-the-job training.”

The Salary Guide features starting salary data for more than 120 creative and marketing roles. The hottest jobs and top hiring trends are also highlighted. Here’s a snapshot of some key findings:

Hot creative and marketing jobs

Front-end web developers with one to three years of experience can anticipate a 7.2 percent increase, ranging from $56,500 to $80,500. Front-end web developers are in demand because they are an integral part of creating the digital environment you enter every time you open a browser, app or online game.

User experience (UX) designers with three to five years of experience are expected to see a 6.1 percent bump in 2017, with average starting salaries ranging from $75,750 to $103,000. As both mobile and web development continue to boom and the lines between design and technology increasingly blur, this job continues to be hot.

Content strategists are projected to see a 5.4 percent increase, with average starting salaries ranging from $81,250 to $115,250. A shift in focus from the hard sell to providing helpful information to potential customers and clients has created strong demand for talented communicators who can develop and manage content.

Marketing communications managers with five or more years of experience are forecast to receive a 4.2 percent bump, to between $79,000 and $115,000. Because the competition for consumers’ attention is growing more intense by the day, companies need savvy and experienced MarCom managers to develop creative and cost-effective marketing strategies that cut through the clutter.

Web designers with five or more years of experience will see a gain of 3.3 percent, to between $83,250 and $118,000. Virtually every company, government agency, nonprofit or school needs a website to serve as the face of the organization. As such, they need web designers to create, maintain and improve those sites.

Whether you’re a job seeker or a hiring manager, you can use the guide to quickly determine the average starting creative and marketing salaries in your city.

Top trends impacting creative and marketing salaries

Hiring is up across the board. As companies invest more in their branding and marketing efforts, they want to get the most out of a growing number of marketing channels. This often requires a blend of full-time and project professionals with specialized skills.

Hybrid professionals are hot. Digital proficiency, in particular, is becoming a prerequisite for many traditional roles. Creative professionals with skills outside their specialty — such as copywriters who are proficient in search engine optimization — are highly marketable, and this trend should continue as cross-departmental collaboration becomes even more prevalent.

Job seekers want growth opportunities. And they are more apt to ask for them as competition for top talent heats up. More companies are investing in skills training and career development to attract and retain the best employees.

Freelancers becoming fixtures. Rather than letting a job sit vacant, creative firms and in-house departments are bringing in freelancers. This staffing solution gives them more time to recruit — and evaluate whether the freelancer is a fit for a full-time role.