Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing
Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations
Digital Marketing workers plan and optimize marketing across websites, search, social, email and digital advertising.
What You Would Do
- Digital Marketing workers plan and optimize marketing across websites
- Search
- Social
- Email and digital advertising
- Follow the laws
- Policies
The exact work depends on the employer, audience, product, campaign, channel and level of responsibility.
Types of Work You Could Explore
Campaigns — Explore campaigns. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Web content — Plan and create useful articles, video, audio, graphics or other materials for an audience.
Paid media — Explore paid media. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Analytics — Use performance data to explain results, test ideas and guide future choices.
Conversion — Explore conversion. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Automation — Explore automation. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Privacy — Explore privacy. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
Optimization — Explore optimization. Learn the responsibilities, methods, tools and qualifications used in this work.
You do not have to choose a specialty before you begin. Job titles and specialty names vary among employers and training programs, and one job may include more than one type of work.
Who Might Like This Career
This career may appeal to you if you are interested in campaigns, web content, paid media. It can be a good fit for people who enjoy careful problem solving, accurate work, learning how audiences, messages, channels and results connect and seeing a clear result from their effort.
Where You Could Work
brands, agencies, ecommerce firms, nonprofits and technology companies.
Pay and Job Outlook
Median annual pay: $78,760 in May 2025 for market research analysts and marketing specialists, a broad comparison occupation.
These are national U.S. figures for the occupation or comparison group named above, not a promised starting salary. Pay can vary considerably by location, experience, specialty, overtime, union agreement, employer, role, industry, experience, credentials and location. People starting the career commonly earn less than experienced workers; paid training programs may increase wages as skills grow.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics career and pay information
Skills You Can Start Building
- Digital Marketing workers plan and optimize marketing across websites, search, social, email and digital advertising
- Follow the laws, policies, evidence and professional standards that apply to the role
- Learn about an audience, market, product and communication goal
- Write, design or coordinate messages for appropriate channels
- Use research and performance data to guide decisions
- Manage deadlines, budgets, approvals and brand requirements
- Check claims, permissions, privacy and advertising compliance
How Digital Marketing Work Is Changing
Marketing automation, streaming media, privacy changes, connected customer systems and rapid content production are changing the field.
AI may assist with research, drafts, images, personalization and performance analysis. Workers must check accuracy, rights, disclosure, bias, privacy and brand suitability.
Marketing uses digital platforms and automation, but people remain responsible for truthful claims, audience judgment, brand decisions, privacy and the quality of published work.
Education and Training
Preparation may include paid entry-level work, apprenticeship, CTE, certificates, college, portfolio projects or employer training. Employers often look for demonstrated writing, analysis, platform or campaign experience.
Career Pathways and Apprenticeship Availability
Typical pathway: Established or clearly related apprenticeship routes are available.
Digital-marketing apprenticeships are established or emerging. Platform certifications are voluntary and change frequently.
A Registered Apprenticeship follows an approved training plan and combines paid work, supervised learning, related instruction and progressive skill development. Some employers use the word apprenticeship for paid programs that are not registered. Ask the sponsor which type it is and what credential, wage progression and job it provides.
Licenses and Certifications
Most marketing roles are not licensed, but privacy, advertising, endorsement, intellectual-property and industry rules apply. Platform certificates can support learning but do not guarantee employment.
Look up licenses in your state
Career Pathways to Learn Digital Marketing and Gain Experience
Apprenticeship — Learn through real paid work with experienced workers who teach and guide you, supported by technical instruction and a structure for developing and measuring progress. Some apprenticeships are Registered Apprenticeships; others are not.
Entry-Level Jobs — Gain paid experience with tools, equipment, customer service, safety and workplace practices through beginning work in the field.
Youth Apprenticeship — Begin developing career skills through work while continuing high-school education where a suitable program is available.
Career and Technical Education CTE — Build applied skills through marketing, business, communications, digital media, design, data or event programs.
Pre-Apprenticeship — Learn introductory skills, safety and workplace expectations while preparing for apprenticeship or employment. Verify that the program connects participants with real employers and does not charge tuition simply for possible access to an apprenticeship.
Co-op — Combine education with career-related work experience through a high school, CTE program, community college or other educational program.
Paid Work-Based Learning — Get paid to do real work for an employer while learning skills and gaining experience related to the career.
Platform, Employer or Industry Training — Learn specific advertising, analytics, content, customer-management or marketing-technology systems.
From Learning to Experienced Work
Skills develop through practice and experience. People who are new to the work usually receive more instruction and supervision. As they demonstrate skill, judgment and reliability, they take on more difficult work, greater responsibility and more independent assignments.
A common progression: Learn → Practice → Gain Experience → Build Confidence → Take on More Responsibility → Work More Independently
Experienced workers may eventually supervise work or teach and guide newer workers, trainees and apprentices.
Where This Career Can Lead
With experience, a strong portfolio and measurable results, you may specialize, lead campaigns, manage a brand or channel, direct a team, consult or run an agency or business.
Questions to Ask Before You Apply
- Is this a paid job from the beginning?
- Is it a Registered Apprenticeship, an employer-run apprenticeship, another training program or a regular job with training?
- What equipment and work will I learn, and who will teach me on the job?
- How does pay increase as I gain skills?
- Who provides the classes, and can I earn college credit or an industry credential?
- What tools, transportation, physical requirements, licenses, background checks or costs should I expect?
Explore related careers
Consider these careers with overlapping tools, materials, systems or work settings:
Content Marketing
Search Marketing
Social-Media Marketing
Advertising
Public Relations
Brand Management
Market Research
Explore opportunities
Search apprenticeships and programs on Apprenticeship.com
Explore Apprenticeship.com state apprenticeship guides
Learn more from official career resources