Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Job outlook for content managers in the United States
Content manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected content manager job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 33,700 new jobs for content managers are projected over the next decade.
Content manager salaries have increased 8% for content managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 5,572 content managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 108,058 active content manager job openings in the US.
The average content manager salary is $75,124.
Are content manager jobs in demand?
Content Manager job and salary trends over time
Content Manager jobs over time
Content Manager job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,572 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,434 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 5,331 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,174 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,838 | 0.00% |
Average content manager salary over time
Content Manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $75,124 | $36.12 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $72,313 | $34.77 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $70,960 | $34.12 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $69,872 | $33.59 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $69,317 | $33.33 | +1.9% |
Content Manager jobs by state
Most common states for content managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 363 | 52% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,585 | 21% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,471 | 21% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 711 | 17% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 482 | 16% |
| 6 | California | 39,536,653 | 5,871 | 15% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 91 | 15% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 761 | 14% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 145 | 14% |
| 10 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,682 | 13% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,073 | 13% |
| 12 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,451 | 12% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 663 | 12% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,173 | 11% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,002 | 11% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 412 | 11% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 131 | 10% |
| 18 | Delaware | 961,939 | 101 | 10% |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,151 | 9% |
| 20 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 960 | 9% |
Most common cities for content managers
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 2 | 7% | $62,983 |
| 2 | Menlo Park | 2 | 6% | $103,325 |
| 3 | Culver City | 2 | 5% | $90,496 |
| 4 | Bentonville | 2 | 4% | $64,524 |
| 5 | Lansing | 3 | 3% | $76,182 |
| 6 | Hartford | 3 | 2% | $75,413 |
| 7 | San Francisco | 5 | 1% | $103,798 |
| 8 | Washington | 5 | 1% | $79,764 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $67,984 |
| 10 | Des Moines | 2 | 1% | $67,478 |
| 11 | Glendale | 2 | 1% | $90,607 |
| 12 | Chicago | 4 | 0% | $66,919 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 4 | 0% | $90,535 |
| 14 | New York | 4 | 0% | $78,273 |
| 15 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $87,758 |
| 16 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $70,642 |
| 17 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $83,447 |
| 18 | Miami | 2 | 0% | $52,729 |
Content Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of content manager experts
Cabrini University
Texas Woman's University
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Texas Tech University
Truman State University
University of South Alabama
University of Kentucky
University of Houston - Downtown
Berea College
Longwood University
Prairie View A&M University
Northern Seminary
What will help Content Managers increase their earning potential?
Rich Johnson: Digital media covers a lot of mediums and requires many skill sets (print, static online, animation, interactive). The print arm is a lesser component although still valuable in the scope of marketing. Smartphones, tablets and gaming have moved a lot of digital into a customer expectation of interactive and customizable content. The present model of career specialization in a certain aspect of this spectrum of skills is changing. The age of the generalist is becoming more of a reality as design tools are becoming more accessible and A.I. is assisting in the more complex tasks. I would say that someone working in digital media will need to focus more on the big picture of design, predicting trends and developing solutions from a point of view with perspective. It will be even more important to understand the needs of a system from the top down and provide solutions that enhance that system. This might be through partnering with marketing and sales to conceptualize solutions, pitching product ideas and other functions related to creative and art direction. And be curious, all of the time. Keep up to date with everything that is happening. Take classes, watch tutorials, read articles and be obsessed with the breakneck rate of change. Digital media is constantly changing and possibilities are always expanding. It can be near impossible to be a master of all of these trajectories, but you can understand them well enough to bring in a specialist when the challenge requires it. This is where I predict that A.I. will be a major paradigm shift. There will be a time when you will ask the system to solve a problem, and you can choose what parts of the process that you want to control. So to boil it down... Develop a well rounded set of skills Further develop specialist level skills where you excel Keep on top of change and keep a thirst for learning Strengthen your connection to problem solving and creative innovation Keep an eye on the future predicting what might be around the bend
What Content Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kaley Martin M.A. '16: As much as it pains me to say, artificial intelligence will be something to not only be familiar with, but something you need to take time to learn in whatever way that fleshes out for your area in the industry. AI content generation is NOT something I think we should be leaning in to because true creativity and talent is something uniquely human and what you are trained to do through your education, but knowledge of how AI affects your area is very important. For instance, be able to spot AI-generated content, be able to notice misinformation among AI-generated content, and be familiar with the processes and players in this space. Eventually, you’ll be hiring and you want to be able to spot a fake portfolio as well. Learning trends, developing that creative eye, and finding new, unique ways to create content is not going to come from AI any time soon, so I encourage new entrants to the industry to be trained professionals that can recognize when these technologies are in use and abused. Like a tool, they have their place, but a hammer did not build the house for the architect. The architect designed the house and the hammer helped execute that design plan so is AI as a tool for our field.
Professor Cheryl Pilchik
Marketing at Cabrini U.Cabrini University
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What Content Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Cheryl Pilchik: Look at all the benefits offered by the company, such as medical, holidays, 401K, etc. Also, consider using the position as a steppingstone in your field to a second job in the near future.
What general advice would you give to a Content Manager?
Dr. Aimée Myers Ph.D.: First, network and make connections in your desired field, whether it's publishing, journalism, education, marketing/advertising, etc. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and connect with alumni from your university. Also, use that network to gain relevant experience through mentorships, internships, freelancing, and entry-level positions. Second, stay current with trends in digital media, content marketing, SEO writing and leverage new technologies shaping communications fields. Third, consider getting additional certifications or training in specialized areas like technical writing, copywriting, digital content creation, teaching English as a second language, etc. This can make you more marketable.
What Content Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Aimée Myers Ph.D.: Digital literacy, multimedia creating/editing, intercultural communication, content curation/management.
What will help Content Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Aimée Myers Ph.D.: First, learn how to negotiate. Research typical salaries for the roles and industries you're interested in, and be prepared to negotiate your compensation package effectively, highlighting the value you can bring to the employer. Along those lines, attend negotiating workshops, especially if you are a woman. Second, really showcase your soft skills. Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and creativity are often seen in English majors more than any other academic area. These soft skills are often transferable across different jobs and industries, and they play a crucial role in helping individuals succeed in their careers, build strong professional relationships, and contribute effectively to their organizations. Employers are requesting graduates with these skills more and more.
What general advice would you give to a Content Manager?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: You can maximize your earning potential at the start of your career by gaining diverse experience. Seek internship opportunities that complement but don't repeat what you're learning in college so you can show employers how your internship stretched what you're able to do. If you haven't graduated yet, look for classes that will enhance the type of employee you can be. For example, adding a course in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, cross-cultural communication, interpersonal communication, marketing, or leadership and talking about what you've learned in that course in an interview will show employers that you're thinking broadly about what it means to write and communicate effectively in a workplace.
What Content Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: As we continue to face a glut of digital information in our daily lives, the ability to connect with an audience in meaningful ways through writing will become increasingly important. No matter what field you work in, you'll have a message to get across to someone else. Your English degree will help you consider the humanity of that message: Who is on the receiving end? What state of mind are they in when they're considering what you have to say? What state of mind do you hope to put them in? Being a compassionate and conscientious communicator who thinks critically about how a message comes across will help you stand out in the coming years of information overload.
What will help Content Managers increase their earning potential?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: A college degree opens so many doors, so keep an open mind about the career paths you can pursue with a degree in English. Say you're interested in a career in publishing. Think broadly about the types of publishing companies you apply to: in addition to those that publish novels or nonfiction books you read, expand your search to include textbook publishers, religious publishers, and publishers of children's books. Also, consider what other companies would give you experience that will make you competitive for a publishing job. You might apply to grant writing jobs or social media management positions and use that writing experience as a stepping stone into the publishing world. Make sure to visit your college's career center for advice on where to look for job openings.
Don Shin
ChairTexas Tech University
Journalism
What will help Content Managers increase their earning potential?
Don Shin: Social media Manager; Digital marketer; Content strategist; Digital Designer; Graphic Designer
Content Manager; Game programmer; Digital Media Specialist; Marketing Analyst; Communications Director
Public relations Manager; SEO Specialist; Brand Manager; Content curator; Digital Analytics; Communications Specialist
Marketing Coordinator; Marketing Manager, Data Miner in Media Industry
What general advice would you give to a Content Manager?
Dr. Adam Davis: Some patience. The news gets clicks and eyeballs with doom and gloom, but the fact is, people in fields other than professional credentials (nursing, CPA) have always spent a year or two driving cabs and waiting tables. Be persistent, work networks and connections. An English degree is not a career credential; grads tend to teaching, writing/editing/publishing, but also get hired into a wide variety of firms that have use for people who can think about texts and what they mean and make persuasive cases for how to understand a given fact pattern - that's what makes it such a good preparation for law school.
What Content Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Adam Davis: At just this moment, getting a living wage is the priority, rather than maximizing salary. You need to get some experience that will let you move outward and upward from that first position. Your goal is a full-time position with bennies, one that uses your gifts. In letters of application and in interviews (REHEARSE for those) -- remember to talk about your hard skills and soft skills - prospective employers are not going to ask. Individualize the application for each job you really want, and think hard about what's most useful to that employer - talk about their needs, rather than why the position would serve your needs and interests. Have a story ready that illustrates how you made use of each trait you're claiming.
What will help Content Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Adam Davis: Work with emergent media; learn how to work words beyond writing: podcasts & video, web design, social media, blogging. These are skills easily acquired through YouTube and of great interest to employers. AI is not to be feared, but to be understood and used, and employers are going to be interested when you tell them you know how to make it work for them.
What Content Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Doris Frye: Employers consistently tell us that effective communication is both a skill in high demand and one that is often lacking in employees. English majors enter the workforce with exceptional communication and critical thinking skills that are already valued. With the explosion of A.I., these skills will become even more important; English majors' facility with language will become all the more essential. The ability to adapt and respond to A.I. tools will be essential going forward for those with English degrees.
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director of Bachelor of Liberal StudiesUniversity of Kentucky
Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies
What hard/technical skills are most important for Content Managers?
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.: I mentioned developing unique research skills as an important part of your resume, but to me, it is the single most important hard skill for a content writer. You often won't have a lot of time and will have to start a project from scratch. Moving from general information to more specific sources and knowing how and when to do this will make you stand out as a writer who has important things to say. You have to think of your writing as always persuasive, no matter what you are working on. You are telling a story, and you have a specific audience that needs to hear that story. The more specific you can make that story, the better your information and the more unique your approach to the topic will be. Make your writing stand out.
The second is probably the ability to edit your work. I teach many students who tell me they aren't very good at editing their own work. Most likely, it is because they don't like to read their own work. Become a fan of writing; what I mean by that is read writing for the writing itself. Develop a sense for the style of other writers, but most of all, enjoy your own writing. Read your own writing, silently and out loud. Listen to how it sounds, your word choices, your rhythm, the cadence. When something sounds off, you will be able to revise it. Editing does not just mean typos or grammar mechanics (although, it is definitely that as well). This all leads back to developing your own style and brand of writing.
What skills stand out on Content Manager resumes?
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.: I think that skills that stand out on resumes are going to be those that make you unique. In other words, skills that you have been able to make your own and that blur the boundary between technical and soft skills. For example, every content writer needs to be able to have solid research abilities. However, the writer who can leverage different research sources will adapt to the various jobs a content writer may be asked to do. So, not only do you have experience with using digital archives to research your topics, but you talk to people or businesses, you go out and show you have an interest in your task beyond getting a job done. Just as the jobs you accept will determine what kind of writing you do, how you approach your jobs will establish your writing brand. That brand is your writing ethos and will give a potential employer an idea of the type of writer you are. That means that originality or creativity might be important, even if they aren't necessarily the kind of skill that immediately comes to mind on resumes. But you should use your resume as a space to tell the story of your writing ethos, your style, your unique approach.
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Houston - Downtown
Marilyn Davies College of Business
What soft skills should all Content Managers possess?
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.: The need for soft skills are consistent through time. With our societal focus on social media, texting, emojis, etc. It appears to me companies are looking for the following:
- Active listening skills
- Willingness to be self-reflective and accept feedback
- Accept different perspectives. The collision of ideas creates knowledge
- Communicate to the listener (at their level). Flex communicators
- Cultural intelligence. Demographics changes will require better understanding of team member's, boss', customer's, etc. cultural context
J. Ian Norris Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing and Fellow, American Council on EducationBerea College
Economics and Business Department
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Content Managers?
J. Ian Norris Ph.D.: Digital marketing skills are essential for any area of marketing. Luckily there are many online certifications available for this purpose. On the research side, Google Analytics offers a certification. It will also be valuable to know the analytics platforms on social media sites such as facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Conversely, all of these sites also offer training on digital advertising and promotion, such as Google AdWords. Any coursework in digital marketing that provides instruction in Search Engine Marketing (SEM) will also be highly valuable. Finally, digital video and editing skills are also quite valuable, as all kinds of companies and organizations are using the short video format for storytelling and brand advertising.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Content Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Ryan Stouffer: I think the job market we've seen a lot of different trends here that kind of happened since the pandemic. On the one hand we've seen a lot more opportunity actually believe it or not, so many more organizations realize they need to. Get into social media and they get into the Internet, and they need to tell their stories online right. That's how we're connecting with customers right now is online platforms, as opposed to the traditional you know foot traffic or you know billboards on roads advertisements on radio things like that so.
On one hand there's a lot more opportunity because so many more organizations realize they need to connect and they need to get in this space and the need to tell her story. And to there's a lot more opportunity because space boundaries have kind of been removed as a barrier for a lot of employment and the communication studies field, because. Now I mean with digital technology is everyone working from home it doesn't really matter if you're working in turning whatever for someone in San Francisco or someone. In Virginia, you can still do that job here through these technologies here, so one example of that I grew up in the middle of nowhere Michigan and my mother works at the Chamber of Commerce right now. And they had some staffing issues and so actually got an intern from Virginia who's now working for my local county. Small county and Michigan so there's been kind of that increase, of course, the pandemics also had some harmful effects on the job field here there's just so much more uncertainty right now organizations i'm think are expanding as much.
Also, a lot of students, want to get into the sports world via either broadcasting camera work technical side of things, social media. So many different aspects of course the sports world is just in a huge state of upheaval, especially the smaller sports world where a lot of our students go, you know smaller baseball teams minor league soccer teams. Things like that so there's been kind of that just upheaval in the lack of ability to plan, so I think of a lot of organizations just aren't hiring right now, just because they're kind of holding steady and waiting for the US to move on here, so I can see those the double edged sword has as many things in the world, here or yes there's been definitely some.
What soft skills should all Content Managers possess?
Dr. Ryan Stouffer: Increase uncertainty and probably lack of hiring some fields other fields again because I mentioned are doing better than ever, I think soft skills are the two biggest I have our communication, surprise, surprise and project management. Communication I think in the again the digital age, working from home working from all over the country both the written communication and oral communication needs to be top notch and proactive.
I know many of my soon-to-be-graduates struggle, sometimes being proactive in their communication reaching out to me when things are happening as opposed to after things are happening, so I think that idea of always being open always responding like hey I got that email or yet i'm working on it may be a few days and just always having that communication flowing here is one of the most important skills in both written and oral format.
And i've mentioned project management so many people are now either working from home or working on their own much more working and kind of out with direct without direct supervision.
And so the ability to stay organized and stay efficient is huge, something I personally feel i'm really strong and I always try to impart my my students come up with an organizational strategy, make sure none those balls get dropped, make sure you know where all your projects are because I think that ability to do that be efficient and work from home work from anywhere is a really something you'd set soon to be graduates or recent graduates apart here.
How have salaries changed over time for Content Managers?
Dr. Ryan Stouffer: Salaries had changed a little bit did they've increased a little bit over time in our field, I think people are more real and now realizing the importance of having social media marketers social media managers who manage that organizations brand to help tell that organizations story on of course journalism I teach them future journalists to we've seen those tickets, a little bit.
But I think mostly salaries are you know slightly moving up here, but we haven't seen any huge jumps, and that is one of the disadvantages. Of the communication field here is there's there's a lot of opportunities out there, and a lot of different places, can people a lot of places people can go. But those salaries tend to be a little bit lower to start here until you really find your niche and your expertise and work your way up a bit so. Taking up a little bit, but I that is definitely not the selling point I think of my field is the starting salary.
Dr Rick Baldwin
Associate Professor of PracticePrairie View A&M University
Management and Marketing Department
What general advice would you give to a Content Manager?
Dr Rick Baldwin: To begin their career, I suggest that the graduate pursue their career as an entrepreneur. Based on the career interest, actually develop a business plan to launch this career as a business. I would use this as a platform in beginning the career as entrepreneur, consultant, or as an employee of a marketing organization.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Content Manager job market given the pandemic?
Rev. Tracey Bianchi: In pastoral ministry, the pandemic has forced many religious institutions and organizations to deliver worship and other elements of spiritual practice online. How faith-based communities do everything from weddings to funerals to worship services has shifted online. While churches and other religious gatherings must continue to employ pastors and still need ordained leaders, the job market has shifted to favor those who also have skills in producing and creating rich online content. Churches with resources are now pivoting to hire content managers and production teams who can help shape and craft meaningful online content that is easy to deliver.