For college students studying marketing and planning to enter the profession, selecting the right city is a crucial first step in building a successful career. Gallup data shows that 51% of jobs are hybrid in 2025, with this preference continuing to grow. Hybrid is the new norm, with fully remote jobs becoming more scarce, which makes the geographical location more important. What makes a city an attractive destination for aspiring marketers? Key factors include the strength of the local marketing profession, cost of living, and long-term growth potential.
Some cities offer a strong concentration of marketing opportunities but have the downsides of shrinking population and high living costs. Others have an industry focus that shapes local demand for marketing talent. There are also cities that may not be top of mind but show promising conditions for career growth. Together, these insights help paint a more nuanced picture of where future marketers might thrive.
Where the Jobs Are
The number of marketing professionals is a useful indicator of the job opportunities in any given city. According to LinkedIn member data, New York City and Los Angeles are by far the leading hubs for marketing professionals, with 410K and 190K professionals respectively. Following them, in order, are the San Francisco Bay Area, Dallas, Miami, Chicago, Washington DC, and Atlanta.
Cost of Living
According to the NUMBEO Living Expense Index, the top 10 most expensive cities in the U.S. are New York, San Francisco, Honolulu, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC, San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Philadelphia. Many of the largest marketing hubs fall within this high-cost group. However, some key marketing cities offer more affordable living options. Chicago, Miami, and Atlanta are all among the top 10 cities by number of marketers from LinkedIn member data, but they rank between 10th and 20th in NUMBEO’s living expense rankings. Dallas and Houston also stand out as particularly affordable options while still being major marketing hubs.
Salary Outlook
Pipedrive combed through data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify which areas offer the highest salaries for marketing professionals. The top metro areas include San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Seattle, Denver, and Washington, D.C. The report also highlights entry-level salaries, with the San Jose metro area leading at an average of $52K. Overall, California’s Bay Area offers the most generous compensation for early-career marketers, with four of its metro areas ranking in the top 10. The New York metropolitan area and Seattle also offer highly competitive starting salaries.
City Outlook
New York is by far the largest marketing hub in the U.S., with the most marketing businesses and career opportunities across industries like finance, fashion, and technology. However, the high cost of living and relatively low average salary for entry-level marketers can present a challenge to starting a career there.
Los Angeles ranks as the second-largest marketing hub. In 2025, the number of marketers is projected to be about half of New York’s, but the business landscape remains vibrant, with around 70% as many small to mid-sized firms. Marketing professionals here are concentrated in entertainment, tech, and consumer goods, where there’s high demand for roles in social media strategy and influencer marketing. While salaries aren’t the highest, living expenses are more modest than in New York or the Bay Area.
San Francisco is a tech-centered market for marketing professionals. Although it has fewer marketers—roughly one-tenth the number in New York—the combination of high salaries and a strong focus on tech offers solid opportunities for those with interdisciplinary skills. Digital analytics, UX marketing, and influencer partnerships are especially in demand. That said, San Francisco is also one of the most expensive cities in the country.
Chicago is a long-standing marketing hub with the third-largest base of marketing professionals, following New York and Los Angeles. It also has a strong business foundation, ranking third in the U.S. for both Fortune 500 headquarters and small to mid-sized businesses. The city supports a broad range of industries—including finance, manufacturing, tech, and food and beverage—creating demand for roles in digital analytics, brand management, and content creation. While Chicago may not offer the highest salaries, its relatively low cost of living makes it an attractive option for marketing professionals.
Dallas may not be the first city that comes to mind when talking about marketing, but it actually ranks as the fourth-largest city for marketers. It also has a strong business foundation, with 22 Fortune 500 companies headquartered there. At the same time, Dallas offers a more affordable cost of living compared to other major marketing hubs, ranking 24th in the U.S. Other cities in Texas like Austin and Houston show similar patterns: a solid number of marketing job opportunities and a strong business presence, paired with relatively low living costs and promising population growth.
A city’s major industries, quality of life, and culture are also important factors to consider when choosing where to start your marketing career. In today’s dynamic market, continuously developing in-demand skills and staying attuned to professional trends across cities can help you stand out and stay ahead.
Research Analyst Intern, American Marketing Association