Comparing sales to those that are in agencies or in-house marketing, which career makes the most money, and for each adjacent field, where does the max salary typically plateau? Curious about sales in general and how it compares to marketing/advertising salaries.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Sales comes with added perks of compensation arising from meeting KPis. Remove those compensations and marketers will typically earn more

Thank you for responding!!

Yeah. It’s been my experience that sales might have lower salaries but much higher overall compensation.

Yes because of commissions.

Sales wins. It's not particularly close.
A high-performing enterprise sales rep at 5-7 years can clear $200-300k+ OTE — numbers most marketing leaders don't see until VP or C-suite. The ceiling is functionally unlimited if you're in the right industry with commission-based comp.
Marketing and advertising plateau much earlier. Agency careers typically max out at $80-120k unless you're hitting Group Director or C-suite. In-house brand-side roles are more lucrative — senior managers hit $100-130k, Directors $130-180k, VPs $180-250k — but those seats are competitive and slow to open.
The trade-off: sales income is volatile and tied directly to performance. Marketing comp is more predictable but more compressed. The highest-earning marketers typically move into revenue-adjacent roles — Demand Gen, Growth, or CMO — where they're measured like sales anyway.
If pure earning potential is the goal, sales is the answer. Most marketers just don't want to carry a number.
What's driving the comparison — are you considering a pivot?

This is a great response, thank you!! Love how you also included that sales income is volatile because that is definitely true. I definitely don't want to go into sales, but am curious about how much they make.

Related Posts

I feel like all of my friends who work in tech are very open about their starting salaries and the increases each year. I am going to work in public accounting and I feel like when I look up how much I will make after being promoted or early promoted it’s very cryptic. Can anyone tell me the standard salary % increase in PA after your first, second, third promotion?

like

How much are EY experienced hire sign bonus?

like

My international flight got cancel. They did not send email so everyone found out at the airport. I even spent 50$ in Uber coming to the airport and they say only solution is to rebook us tomorrow. What’s the best way to go about it to get best compensation for all the inconvenience? (Tap air)

like

Hello Technie's,
I am in a confused state of mind with my current situation & I can surely use some advice from you guys.
I'm working with a product company for almost 5+ yrs now & recently decided to separate from them for obvious compensation reasons.
I have multiple offers now with product/service based companies.
The top and the best offer I have is from a service based organization of almost 100% hike.
Now my company wants to retain me & offering me even higher. What should I do?

like

Just got a verbal offer for experienced analyst position at a middle market investment bank in Chicago. What should I expect/negotiate for in terms of salary and bonus?

like

Anyone know when new comp for FAAS will be communicated?

like

I am working in CG as a consultant with close to 9 years of experience and 9 lacs CTC. Is it ok or should the package be more? Can I ask HR for salary correction? What is the range like in the B2 level?

like

Is your compensation and performance reviewed automatically on a regular/annual basis? I don’t get either of these unless I ask for it! Found out others in our company experienced the same as me. Lowball Salaries trending as a common pain point

I like my team and work life balance, during the pandemic was very beneficial to my wellbeing. However feel I owe it to myself now, to be earning what I’m worth in the market (I’m underpaid by a fair bit) especially with inflation costs

like

Which one better option interms of saving more money
1 lac Tech M in hand salary in hyderabad
Or
1.6 lac in hand tcs onsite salary in Budapest ?

like

Hi Fishes,

I am working in Capgemini past 2.5 yrs in Power Bi domain and total i have 5 yrs of exp in IT industry. But my salary is same as my experience 5 LPA. I know i am getting underpaid. If anyone can refer me help me out ...i can give him my first salary... I am at a high debt.

like

Hello i am negotiating a job offer in Toronto at the moment. I currently live in Montréal. What’s a reasonable salary for someone with 9 years experience in Toronto working for an international consultancy. Thanks!

like

Google S&O manager total compensation expectations in Bay Area ? Please suggest numbers as I need to negotiate soon, thank you.

like

Would you leave external audit for internal audit even if there is no base increased, just sign on bonus? Been having an awful year round busy season and I’m just done. I have heard from multiple sources that WLB is better.

like

Hi all,
Yesterday my people lead told that there is no variable pay for me as my previous people lead put negative remarks on portal. Here in the screenshot as you can see yearly bonus on November is zero. But there is a monthly bonus amount. What is that monthly bonus and when shall I get it?

Post Photo
like

Compensation expectations for VP level at 100M VC fund? 8 YOE consulting plus top 5 MBA

like

What salary to expect at a Director level at PwC in Saudi Arabia? I am a brit with over 15 years experience in transformation consulting, and never worked in the ME!

like

I got an offer from IBM earlier they didn't discuss the salary and directly sent the offer letter, now I have another offer which is 1.3 lacs more than the IBM's offer. Will IBM counter that offer and provide matching or slightly more than what I received from the other firm?

like

Hi Fishes. Could someone please help me on how my in hand salary would be? Thank you in advance

Post Photo
like

Which companies should I join
Impetus - 14 + bonus permanent work form home
British telecom -15+ bonus
YOE - 3yrs
Position - data engineer.

like

Hey Mates,

There are talks of focusing on talent retention & offering competitive pay in meetings by Higher Leadership so
Is there any salary correction actually happening for current employees or some salary equity policy being made?

like

More Posts

If you don’t get any scoops of harissa at Cava, you can’t be trusted.

likefunny

Hi, i need referal in ibm for java developer. Please comment or ping me if someone can help me.

like

For people who post links to news first - how do you do it? I send stuff to people and they're like oh saw that, and it was two hours ago...

likefunny

Within Salesforce, @Quip, Slack, Tableau Software how often are there leadership changes at the VP or above level? Is this an annual thing? X years after acquisition?

likesmart

Hi Infosys guys, I have cleared one technical interview and got email for further round which is planned for tomorrow. Email mentions that this is a telephonic interview, is this supposed to be an HR round discussing salary or another tech round.

SAP SD - 2 YOE Current CTC is 4.8LPA.

how much should I ask at infy? Position offered is associate consultant. Thanks in advance.

like

Can anyone please share the interview process for Epam ? What questions are asked? What topics to cover?

like

Hi
How to encash our leaves ... I have 20 leaves

like

Any insight on when hiring for FAAS west will start again?

like

Did anyone recieved 30 day notification of your scheduled return to office mail
Today or before ?

like

Looking for referrals to get into a fully remote HR role in fintech after working in government for 12 years. Over 10 years as an HRBP/Sr and 2 years in a leadership role. Have my PHR and CCP. Love comp but my experience is limited to a smaller organization (500).

like

I made it through the first 2 interviews and I think it went well. How long does it usually take to find out if you move on to the final interview round?

like

What are some good books to read if I want to learn how to better show up for the team as a manager?

like

Any leads on opening in supply chain management in India? Preferably consulting/functional side

Actively looking for an opening

like

How much does Citi offer for
Role: C12
Location: Pune
YOE: 9
Profile: Data Steward
What is the appraisal cycle and how much is the average increment in Citi?

like

Wondering what people think about my situation. I’ve been offered a role with a company. The job description didn’t mention college degree as a requirement. On my CV I have a section listed as “Education” and under it I have “Business Studies” with the university name and the 3 years that I attended the course (2.5 to be exact). It’s a 4 year degree and under this I have my High School equivalent with the years I attended there. The education wasn’t mentioned in the interviews. Continued below.

like

Anyone here from NatWest group Bangalore ? Need some advice before joining. Please let me know in comments so that I can DM you.

like

Hi Fishes! I am searching for an opportunity in Financial Planning and Analysis role (Finance) with 7.7 years of experience. Any leads ? Appreciations in advance !!

like
like

My agency is making salary cut backs cause of covid-19. Whole agency at 80%. Because I'm on a junior salary in Manchester that means 80% is less than minimum wage. Do I have any rights?

like

Our firm needs a ln experienced paralegal, is there anyway to find one besides the typical job boards?

like

Additional Posts in Salaries in Advertising & Marketing

Are annual raises really not a thing in this industry? I’ve been with my company a year and a half and asked for one and was basically told they don’t happen unless the company does really well overal

like

Freelance at copywriter with 10+ years experience looking to go full time at my current agency to ride out the recession. What kind of salary range can I expect?

like

138k as an ACD in San Francisco - too low?

like

Do New Business roles pay higher than traditional account roles?

like

Strategy Director Salary / LA / 8-10 years exp?

like

Here's a question: are you happy?

And why or why not?

likefunny

For arguments sake let’s say you make $180k as a Senior Creative in Los Angeles, and you’re asked by a recruiter what you’re looking for what do you say?

Scenarios
A) Lateral Move
B) Title Change

Any producers from Publicis want to share what they’re making? Please specify whether integrated, executive, broadcast etc

What does a new band 4 bonus range look like at Bank of America?

like

Anyone know salary range for Director of Customer Success @ Stackline?

likesmart

These numbers are really irrelevant unless you know the agency. It would take a lot less dough to get me into w+k than say, a Translation or similar.

like

How much can I ask for with 4+ years experience at strong nyc agencies?

I’m making 55k in Chicago. Am I underpaid?

helpfulfunny

26 / F / Sr Strat / 5yrs exp

How do you calculate your years of experience? Curious-if I include roles outside of my current dept I have 8. If only counting production, 3. How does that impact your salary negotiations?

What’s the salary range for social strategists in Austin? ~3 years experience and thinking about making a move from NYC

I live in NY and make $40k a year as a Copywriter, I have 2.6 years of experience. Pls rip on me and tell me I’m being underpaid, thx fam

like

What to choose when you can’t have it all: high salary, healthy working environment, room for growth, love of the day-to-day work.

like

Los Angeles, ACD (art), 34, $150k

Engagement Director (GAD elsewhere) / current: $160k moving to NYC and need salary guidance for 10 years experience in the city.

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal