Over the past year, shifting economic conditions and technological advancements, such as the rise of AI and digital platforms, have reshaped how organisations hire and grow. As digital transformation accelerates, the demand for versatile marketers has surged, alongside a revival of traditional skills and face-to-face event marketing. In sales, while technology continues to drive efficiency, the irreplaceable value of human connection remains a key differentiator in a world of automation.
Whether you’re seeking clarity on salaries, in-demand skills, or regional hiring trends, this guide empowers you to adapt, compete, and thrive in an evolving landscape.
Our guide - built on insights from over 18 million jobs posted on Reed.co.uk - delivers a comprehensive overview of salaries, in-demand skills, and regional trends. It’s your roadmap to navigating the demands and opportunities now shaping the marketing and sales professions across the UK.
Use our comprehensive marketing and sales salary checker to guide smarter career moves, attract standout talent, and create teams where culture and long-term growth matter just as much as compensation. Ready to futureproof your hiring, and your own career progression, in 2026? Start exploring the insights that set you apart.
Who is the 2026 marketing and sales salary guide designed for?
Our salary guide is tailored for:
Employers looking to attract marketing and sales talent by benchmarking salaries against the latest industry standards.
Growing businesses and startups needing to set competitive pay structures for their commercial teams.
Organisations focused on retention, ensuring current salaries and benefits align with evolving market expectations.
Graduates and early-career professionals seeking clarity on salary expectations as they start their careers in marketing or sales.
Marketers and sales specialists wanting to confirm their earnings match regional averages and industry benchmarks.
Professionals planning a relocation, with insights into local job markets and salary trends across the UK.
Jobseekers preparing for interviews or negotiations, armed with accurate, up-to-date salary data for their sector.
While specialisms will always have their place, there is a growing demand for 'all-rounder' marketers. As companies operate with leaner teams, they need professionals who possess a broad range of cross-functional skills. A single team member may be expected to manage social media, write website content, perform basic design work using tools like Canva, and contribute to product marketing strategy. This trend is likely to accelerate, as it allows businesses to achieve more with a reduced headcount.
Marketing Expert, Reed
Looking for marketing and sales salary benchmarking insights?
In today’s fast-paced marketing and sales sectors, offering attractive and fair salaries is crucial to securing the talent you need to drive growth. Are you confident your remuneration packages are competitive enough to attract the best people?
Reed’s 2026 marketing and sales salary guide draws on insights from over 18 million job postings since 2017, delivering the most accurate salary benchmarks and forward-looking predictions for the year ahead.
Don’t let your business fall behind. Use our guide to:
Benchmark pay for critical marketing and sales roles across all UK regions.
Understand benefits trends and emerging market pressures.
Build competitive remuneration packages that attract, engage, and retain the best professionals.
Stay ahead of the curve – download the guide and futureproof your talent strategy for 2026 and beyond.
Are you being paid what you're worth?
In a competitive market, knowing your value is more than just a confidence boost – it's your strategic advantage. Are you certain your salary reflects your skills, experience, and the current industry landscape?
Our 2026 marketing and sales salary guide gives you the clarity you need to take control of your career. With data-driven insights, you can:
Benchmark your current salary against the latest regional and national averages for prominent marketing and sales roles.
Negotiate your next pay rise or a new job offer with confidence, backed by solid data.
Plan your career path by understanding the earning potential of different roles and sectors.
Whether you're aiming for a promotion, considering a new opportunity, or just want to confirm you're being paid fairly, our guide provides the essential information to empower your decisions.
What jobs are covered in Reed’s marketing and sales salary guide 2026?
This guide offers salary insights for prominent roles in the marketing and sales sector, including:
Account executive
Business development manager
Copywriter
Commercial director
Digital marketing manager
Sales manager
SEO/PPC executive
However, an over-reliance on AI for customer outreach is proving to be a mistake. Buyers are becoming adept at spotting AI-generated emails and robotic-sounding calls. The old saying, "people buy from people," has never been more relevant. In a sea of automated messages, a genuine human interaction - a phone call, a face-to-face meeting - stands out.
Sales Expert, Reed
Why download the UK’s most trusted marketing and sales salary guide?
In a rapidly changing commercial landscape, how do you ensure you stay ahead? Our 2026 salary guide is your essential resource for navigating the dynamic world of marketing and sales. Here’s why it’s a must-have:
Accurate and reliable data: Built on insights from over 18 million job postings, it’s the most comprehensive and trusted source for salary benchmarking in marketing and sales roles.
Regional insights: Access detailed salary trends across 12 UK regions to make informed decisions – whether you’re hiring, relocating, or negotiating your next role.
Futureproof your strategy: With salary projections for the year ahead, you can plan for emerging skills and stay ahead of market changes.
Tailored for you: Whether you’re an employer building a team, a jobseeker planning your next move, or a graduate starting your career, this guide is designed to meet your needs.
Visual clarity: Engaging charts and graphics make it easy to spot key salary shifts, benefits trends, and industry insights at a glance.
How can Reed’s marketing and sales salary guide assist with benefits and rewards benchmarking?
At the end of 2025, we conducted our annual survey of 5,000 UK workers to understand how they feel about their salaries, benefits, role and responsibilities, as well as job satisfaction and market trends.
Some key findings include:
20% of professionals feel unhappy with their current salary.
The overwhelming reason for salary dissatisfaction is that pay hasn't kept pace with the cost of living.
26% of respondents have £100 or less leftover each month after essential bills, with seven per cent stating their entire salary goes to essentials.
To switch jobs, individuals expect a substantial average pay increase of £12,139.55.
On average, men earn £48,367.15, while women earn £33,852.12, a difference of over £14,500.
And women have significantly less disposable income, with an average of £626.61 left over monthly compared to £983.38 for men.
Younger workers (25-34) are most willing to sacrifice benefits for higher pay…
… while older workers (55+) are significantly less willing to do so, suggesting they value their existing benefits more.
See all the results from our survey and use this guide to make informed decisions on salaries and benefits in the UK marketing and sales sector for 2026.
Download your copy now.
