25 Best States for Advertising and Marketing Managers

It’s time to remember that sex sells and check out the tawdry best states for advertising and marketing managers. Okay, so maybe not soooo tawdry–still you’re going to be interested in where to live. Look at Don Draper, do you think he didn’t wonder about the best place to call home?

Advertising and marketing folks must be sick of Mad Men comparisons by now.  It was a pivotal piece of art and television, but still, it certainly isn’t real life. Also, that show was set more than 50 years ago, and things MAY have changed just a little bit in the industry at this point. Women are even allowed to have thoughts and ideas… well, maybe sometimes.

Still, if you are in this industry you know, you can’t believe everything you read and people (mostly you) are always trying to sell you something. So where should an advertising or marketing manager, or someone training for those careers, set up a house? Well, have we got the list for you. You may also be interested in the 25 Best States for Actuaries–especially if you are looking to feel better about your jobs.

Looking for the best states for advertising and marketing managers should never just be about the wages. While it is true that earning high wages is one thing we all dream of, it is not the sole requirement of knowing which state would be best for these professions. The key is to look for states which have a sense of balance between wages and expenses.

That being said, the three points of value we used in this article are the annual median wage, employment rates, and cost of living rates. The states that would make it to the highest ranks are those with low cost of living and high wages, perfectly balanced with decent employment rates for this profession.

The data about each state’s cost of living rates was derived from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, while the information on each state’s employment rates and annual median wages for advertising and marketing managers were sourced from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

We had to rank each state according to each point and then averaged the rankings from all three values until we arrived at our final results. To know more about the 25 best states for advertising and marketing managers, read on.

25. Connecticut

Annual median wage: $116,220

Cost of living: 130.7

Employment: 290

You may be wondering what it is about Connecticut that its living expenses look like they can take your whole paycheck away. Connecticut is pretty close to New England, so living there could give you the best of both worlds. They also have very high wages for advertising and marketing managers, which ranks this state fourth in giving the best salaries for these professionals.

24. Wisconsin

Annual median wage: $87,690

Cost of living: 96.9

Employment: 280

Advertising and marketing managers need a steady flow of creative juices. The job could be very demanding that you’ll need an R&R every once in a while. Wisconsin has great lakes and national parks you can go to when you get burnout at work. They have cheap living expenses, too. This state also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.

23. Utah

Annual median wage: $74,010

Cost of living: 92.8

Employment: 330

Like Wisconsin, the outdoors in Utah is so beautiful they can inspire you to create awesome campaigns and storyboards. The state might not be able to pay you as much as the bigger ones do, but their cheap cost of living will definitely make you want to move there. People don’t have that much of a problem looking for jobs, too, as Utah has a mere 3.1% unemployment rate.

22. Maryland

Annual median wage: $105,630

Cost of living: 125

Employment: 530

Being one of the most populated states in America, it is no wonder how Maryland has impressively high employment rates. The state also has the lowest poverty rates in the country, so evident in its high cost of living expenses. However, it is also worth noting how Maryland always offers some of the highest wages for every occupation. The need for high paycheck usually outweighs other factors, which explains why their population steadily increases.

21. Virginia

Annual median wage: $108,120

Cost of living: 100.2

Employment: 220

Virginia’s average cost of living expenses would be great not only for advertising and marketing managers but for everybody in general. The state is popular for farming and agriculture industries, though these past few years have shown developments in other businesses, such as advertising. With their high wages and fair employment rates, would you still need convincing?

20. Arizona

Annual median wage: $94,180

Cost of living: 98.1

Employment: 400

If you have a family to take with you as you get a job, Arizona is a great choice. Apart from having high employment rates and low cost of living expenses, the state also boasts of excellent education systems–thanks to its prestigious universities and colleges. They also have rent rates and basic needs prices quite affordable, especially when you consider the wages they offer professionals.

19. California

Annual median wage: $97,510

Cost of living: 134.8

Employment: 3,950

Don’t let their expensive living costs discourage you. Even expensive California has some affordable sides, too–you just have to look closer and harder to see where the more affordable cities are. The employment rates in The Golden State is almost always the highest for every occupation. This time, they get second to New York. Nevertheless, California’s stream of jobs is steady you can’t simply ignore it.

18. Arkansas

Annual median wage: $90,400

Cost of living: 88.5

Employment: 120

Arkansas’ cheap living expenses are most probably everyone’s biggest reason for moving there. However, there is more to The Natural State than its affordability. They also boast of really great natural parks, lakes, and many outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, and hiking. Employment rates seem to be steadier now compared to how it was before.

17. Tennessee

Annual median wage: $60,090

Cost of living: 89.8

Employment: 600

With only 4.8% unemployment rate, you can almost guarantee that looking for a job while living in Tennessee won’t be as challenging. Their strongest industries remain to be music, but advertising sure looks like it has some potential judging from the employment rates they have in the state. Like Arkansas, this state’s living expenses stay on the affordable side. In fact, their cost of living is so low you’d think the lowest wage-earners wouldn’t have a hard time. These are the reasons Tennessee is in the 17th place on our list of best states for advertising and marketing managers.

16. Pennsylvania

Annual median wage: $105,730

Cost of living: 102.8

Employment: 630

You might think Pennsylvania is all urban areas, but it’s not. Between Philly and Pittsburgh, there are 6 hours of driving through the state’s small towns and rural places where you can live near streams, hikes, and even skiing trails. Despite having living expenses a little above the national average, what drives people to Pennsylvania is how well they pay. They always pay good wages to their professionals, including advertising and marketing managers.

15. Washington

Annual median wage: $107,130

Cost of living: 107.1

Employment: 710

Known for its stable industries like agriculture, aircraft, and telecommunications, Washington, the number 15 in our list of best states for advertising and marketing managers is now one of the most popular states in the country. There are so many jobs and employment opportunities for nearly any occupation. They also have wages usually higher than most states in the US, and employment rates that are quite hard to beat. Staying in Washington would also bring you closer to nature, thanks to Mount Rainier National Park and the Puget Sound.

14. Massachusetts

Annual median wage: $110,920

Cost of living: 134.7

Employment: 1,160

Massachusetts ranks 14th in our list of best states for advertising and marketing managers. It is popular for offering some of the best jobs in the country. It is also known to be a very expensive state, with cost of living rates almost as high as California, but there are still areas in it where you could find affordability. The state also has some of the best schools in the US, and the employment rates they have for advertising and marketing managers are too high to ignore.

13. Indiana

Annual median wage: $69,510

Cost of living: 87.9

Employment: 410

Known as America’s second most affordable state, even the lowest wages could very much sustain a decent life in Indiana. They have lots of outdoor attractions and cultural centers where you can channel your inner creative side when you have a big ad project coming up. Even when their wages do not really meet the national average, they sure make it up for their cheaper rent, food, and other basic services.

12. New Jersey

Annual median wage: $126,720

Cost of living: 121

Employment: 680

Living in New Jersey would take you both to the city and the countryside. They have urban areas where you get to experience city life, while their greener rural towns would give you peace and quiet when you need them most. Needless to say, rural towns are your best bet when you want to live affordably in this state. It is also worth noting how they offer the third-highest wages for advertising and marketing managers.

11. Illinois

Annual median wage: $76,860

Cost of living: 95.5

Employment: 3,880

Illinois might not be the cheapest state to live in the country, but it remains to be one of the most popular states. The state boasts of awesome museums and parks, as well as a huge chunk of Fortune 500 companies. Illinois also has living expenses cheaper than most American states, considering the many opportunities they have for all sorts of jobs.

10. Ohio

Annual median wage: $87,750

Cost of living: 93

Employment: 660

Consistently regarded as one of the best states for businesses, Ohio is surely one of the best states for advertising and marketing managers. Their residents also enjoy cheap living expenses and average wages for various jobs. Recreational activities abound in the state, too, in the form of parks, museums, and many festivals. You’ll love Ohio even more if you’re a basketball fan—Cleveland Cavs usually do okay, I guess.

9. New York

Annual median wage: $172,970

Cost of living: 135.2

Employment: 4,000

New York tops the employment rates for advertising and marketing managers. No wonder, since we know how many big companies operate in the state. They also have the highest wages for these professionals, making them indeed a great place for them to get a job in. Their high living expenses might dampen your spirits, but if you try looking harder for small New York towns, you’ll probably find a more affordable alternative than NYC.

8. Colorado

Annual median wage: $129,790

Cost of living: 102.1

Employment: 550

When you ask Americans about their ideal vacation destinations, Colorado would always be part of the common answers. They have all the slopes you need for a fun and exhilarating ski adventure, and also have canyons and rivers. The cost of living tends to be a bit higher than the average, but their wages always impress. In fact, they have the second-highest wages for advertising and marketing managers.

7. Florida

Annual median wage: $100,270

Cost of living: 99

Employment: 780

Living in Florida, that’s up next in our list of best states for advertising and marketing managers would most definitely make you feel like you’re constantly on a vacation. The Sunshine State is popular for its amazing beaches and low cost of living. They have many opportunities for advertising and marketing managers as well. Plus, you’ll never get bored in Florida as they have so many theme parks to explore apart from their pristine coasts.

6. Minnesota

Annual median wage: $110,180

Cost of living: 101.1

Employment: 730

If you often get burned out at work, you should definitely get yourself a job in Minnesota that ranks 6th in our list of best states for advertising and marketing managers. The state has tons of outdoor attractions you can explore to get your creative juices flowing. The wages they offer for advertising and marketing managers are higher than most states in the country, and they have cost of living rates hovering on the average. What more could you possibly look for?

5. North Carolina

Annual median wage: $108,440

Cost of living: 94.2

Employment: 460

With 300 miles of beaches, can you really resist living in North Carolina, the next one in our list of best states for advertising and marketing managers? The state has one of the cheapest cost of living expenses in America, but you won’t feel living cheap as the state is also booming with economic and business developments. They also have a high number of employment opportunities for various occupations, including advertising and marketing managers.

4. Missouri

Annual median wage: $95,930

Cost of living: 90.8

Employment: 470

Missouri’s cost of living can attract everyone. Living there is so affordable you wouldn’t have to earn so much to make sure you live a comfortable life. There is also no job shortage in the state, as more and more big companies move to operate in Missouri these past few years. Attractions in the Show Me State include mountains and rivers, among others.

3. Georgia

Annual median wage: $89,680

Cost of living: 91.4

Employment: 1,060

With 50 state parks, fun and recreation in Georgia look so diverse and irresistible, most especially if you’re a fan of nature and the outdoors. The state also boasts of its cheap living expenses, where your budget wouldn’t have to go to the bills alone. They have impressive employment rates for various jobs as well. Housing one of the world’s busiest airports and the largest military presence in the country, the state is quite a place to call home. And now, let’s see the top two entries in our list of best states for advertising and marketing managers. 

2. Texas

Annual median wage: $96,920

Cost of living: 90.7

Employment: 1,080

Like Georgia, Texas, the number 2 in our list of best states for advertising and marketing managers, has tons of outdoor fun activities you can explore when you get a job there. Speaking of jobs, The Lone Star State has been really good in providing more and more jobs for different occupations over the last few years. With their constantly improving economy, wages seem to increase, too. No wonder, more and more people move to live and work in Texas.

1. Michigan

Annual median wage: $96,020

Cost of living: 88.2

Employment: 720

The advertising and marketing industry usually needs the inspiration to get creative juices flowing in order to make compelling campaigns. Michigan has so much inspiration to give, with its majestic mountains and amazing forests perfect for hiking and hunting. The state also has quite high employment rates and wages for advertising and marketing managers.

Looking for the perfect place to get a job is more than just knowing how much you can earn. It should always involve your living expenses so you are ready to budget. Whatever your priorities are when moving somewhere else, make sure you pick from one of the best states for advertising and marketing managers.