Digital marketing career guide

Written by: Amy Sorter, Edited by: Emma Breitman

Last updated: May 27, 2025

The appealing YouTube influencer, the email from your favorite company, or the compelling text message directing you to a website have one thing in common: they're all examples of digital marketing.

Read on to learn how to qualify for and pursue a career in digital marketing.

Young man talking with colleague looking at laptop in creative office.

What jobs can you get in digital marketing?

Digital marketing uses different channels, such as email, social media, and advertisements, to encourage audiences and engage with a product or service. Digital marketing professionals leverage data and analytics to measure and optimize an organization's marketing campaigns.

Here are some digital marketing careers you can consider:

Digital marketing manager

These professionals manage a company's digital marketing strategy. Responsibilities might include, campaign oversight, social media strategies, SEO improvements, and data analysis.

Education and skills: You'll need a bachelor's in marketing or digital media. You should also have a grasp of analytics and digital platforms. Other skills include communication, organization, and leadership.
Salary: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that marketing managers earned a median annual salary of $157,620 in 2023.

Writer

Writers can work on marketing teams to develop compelling copy that helps a business reach its marketing goals.

Education and skills: You should have a bachelor's in marketing, communications, or a related field. Skills in project management, copywriting, keyword research tools, and search engine optimization are essential.
Salary: The BLS median annual salary for writers who work in media and communications was $66,320 in 2023.

Market research analyst and marketing specialist

These professionals extract data from consumer habits to inform marketing strategies. Specialists can focus on SEO to ensure a company's website ranks high on search engines. They rely on tools like up-to-date keyword research and algorithms for a higher ranking.

Education and skills: You should have a bachelor's in marketing or information technology. This job also requires knowledge of keyword research tools, data analysis, and consumer behavior.
Salary: The BLS reports that the median annual salary for marketing specialists was $74,680 in 2023.

Learn more about digital marketing

Explore edX for digital marketing courses, bachelor's and master's degrees, boot camps, and executive programs to jump start your digital marketing career.

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

FAQ about digital marketing careers

What is the difference between digital and traditional marketing?

Traditional marketing uses television, radio, print publications, direct mail, and billboards to reach audiences.

Digital marketing puts everything online, from social media ads to emails to video content. Unlike traditional marketing, digital marketing supports a two-way communication between business and customer.

Is digital marketing hard to learn?

To learn digital marketing, you'll need to study topics like search engines, data analytics, and content development. These might be unfamiliar topics for some people, but having a social media, SEO, or customer management software background could help.

How long does it take to train for digital marketing careers?

Most digital marketing careers require you to hold a bachelor's degree, which typically takes four years of full-time study to earn. If you want to further hone your skills or explore a specialization, consider an executive education program or boot camp, which can help you up-skill in a few months or weeks.

Digital Marketing