Copywriter
$73,333
avg. annual salary
Digital Marketing Manager
pays more on average
Digital Marketing Manager
$78,001
avg. annual salary
When choosing a career path in marketing, understanding the financial landscape is essential. Two popular roles in this field are Copywriters and Digital Marketing Managers. While both positions play crucial roles in driving brand awareness and engagement, their salaries, benefits, and career trajectories can vary significantly. This guide will compare the average salaries, perks, and growth opportunities in each role, helping you make an informed decision. Whether you aim to hone your writing skills or delve into strategic marketing, understanding these differences can guide your career choices effectively.
Salary by Experience Level
starting salary
starting salary
avg. difference (6%)
Average Salaries
Copywriters typically earn an average salary ranging from $45,000 to $75,000, depending on experience and location. Entry-level positions might start as low as $40,000, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $85,000.
In contrast, Digital Marketing Managers earn higher average salaries, ranging from $60,000 to $100,000. Experienced Digital Marketing Managers in major markets often earn over $120,000.
This disparity highlights the additional responsibilities and skill sets required for the Digital Marketing Manager role.
Benefits Comparison
Both Copywriters and Digital Marketing Managers enjoy various benefits. Copywriters often receive benefits like paid time off, flexible work hours, and sometimes bonuses tied to performance.
Digital Marketing Managers typically receive more comprehensive benefits packages, which may include higher bonuses, professional development opportunities, and options for stock or equity in the company. Moreover, they often have access to health benefits and retirement plans that can be more substantial than those offered to Copywriters.
Career Paths
Copywriters can advance by specializing in niches such as SEO writing or brand storytelling, leading to roles like Senior Copywriter or Content Strategist. Meanwhile, Digital Marketing Managers can climb the ladder to become Directors or Chief Marketing Officers by broadening their expertise in areas like data analytics, campaign strategy, and team management.
Both career paths offer growth potential, but Digital Marketing Managers often have a more diverse set of advancement opportunities due to the multifaceted nature of their role.
Skill Set Requirements
To be successful, Copywriters need strong writing and editing skills, a good understanding of branding, and the ability to craft compelling messages. Familiarity with SEO principles is also advantageous.
On the other hand, Digital Marketing Managers must possess a blend of marketing knowledge, analytic skills, and project management abilities. They should be comfortable with tools like Google Analytics and CRM systems and understand various digital platforms and advertising techniques.
Job Market Outlook
The job market for both roles is expected to grow. According to the U.
S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for Copywriters is projected to grow by 8% over the next decade, while the demand for Digital Marketing Managers is anticipated to increase by 10%.
This growth reflects the rising importance of content and digital marketing strategies in driving business success.
Detailed Salary Comparison: Copywriter vs Digital Marketing Manager
Below is a clear, numbers-first comparison that shows how pay differs and why.
### Base salary ranges (U. S.
- •Copywriter: $40,000 (entry) → $55,000 (median) → $85,000 (senior/specialist)
- •Digital Marketing Manager: $55,000 (entry) → $75,000 (median) → $120,000+ (senior)
That means a typical digital marketing manager earns roughly 30–40% more than a copywriter at similar experience levels.
### Freelance / contract rates
- •Copywriters: $50–$150 per hour or $0.10–$1.00 per word for specialty work
- •Digital marketing consultants: $75–$250+ per hour, depending on paid-media or analytics expertise
### Total compensation and upside
- •Managers often receive 10–20% annual bonuses and equity in startups; that can raise total pay 15–40%.
- •Copywriters at agencies may get smaller bonuses (3–8%) but can increase income via high-value niches (UX copy, product copy).
### Key pay drivers
- •Location: NYC/SF pay 15–30% above national average.
- •Skills: SEO, paid-search, analytics, and CRM automation add $10k–$30k to offers.
- •Industry: Tech and finance pay above retail and non-profit.
Actionable takeaways: target analytics and paid-media skills to move toward manager pay; specialize (UX, product, technical) to boost copywriter rates.