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Marketing Salary Guide

Head of Marketing Salary UK: How Much Do They Earn? (2026)

What a Head of Marketing earns in the UK in 2026, broken down by experience, region and the factors that move the numbers.
By Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director of Coburg Banks
Mark has over 30 years in recruitment, placing marketing professionals from executive to Marketing Director across the UK.
Mark's Linkedin Profile

A Head of Marketing's pay is driven by experience, depth in the channels that matter, and the type of business. If you're hiring or benchmarking, the figures below give a realistic picture of what a Head of Marketing costs in the current market.

⚡ In short

A Head of Marketing in the UK typically earns a base salary of £60k to £90k, with a median of around £75k, plus a performance-related bonus.

Pay rises with experience, sits higher in London and in stronger sectors, and the total package can be above base once incentives are included.

£75k

Median base salary

£60k-£90k

Typical range

+10-20%

London premium

+10-20%

Typical bonus

What affects a Head of Marketing's salary

1

Experience and channel depth

Depth in high-demand channels lifts a Head of Marketing's pay.

2

Sector and company

Tech, SaaS and agencies pay more than traditional industries.

3

Location

London and the South East add a clear premium.

Head of Marketing salary by experience

Experience Level
Typical Salary
Entry-level / Newly Appointed
£60k-£70k
Experienced
£70k-£80k
Senior / Lead
£80k-£90k

How to benchmark and set the salary

1. Start with the market range
For a Head of Marketing, that's roughly £60k to £90k base. Pitch too low and you won't get replies; too high and you overpay.

2. Adjust for experience
Use the bands in the table above - entry, experienced and senior - rather than one figure, and match the level you actually need.

3. Factor in location
London and the South East add 10-20%. A regional or remote role can be pitched a little lower for the same calibre.

4. Add the incentive
A performance-related bonus of around 10-20% is typical for a Head of Marketing, on top of base. Candidates compare total earnings, so lead with the package, not just the base.

5. Move at the right speed
Strong candidates have options. A competitive offer made quickly beats a slightly higher one that drags.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Head of Marketing earn in the UK?

A Head of Marketing typically earns a base of £60k to £90k, with a median around £75k, plus a performance-related bonus.

Total earnings are usually higher than base alone once bonus or incentives are included.

What's the starting salary for a Head of Marketing?

Entry-level or newly qualified Head of Marketings usually start around £60k-£70k.

The figure rises with experience, specialism and location, so a strong background commands more from the outset.

Do Head of Marketings earn more in London?

Yes. London and the South East typically add +10-20% to base for a Head of Marketing, reflecting higher costs and competition for talent.

Regional and remote roles can be pitched a little lower for the same calibre.

What affects a Head of Marketing's salary?

The main drivers are experience, sector, location and company size, plus any bonus.

For a Head of Marketing specifically, experience and channel depth tends to move the numbers most, so weigh that when you benchmark.

What bonus does a Head of Marketing get?

A performance-related bonus of around 10-20% is typical for a Head of Marketing, on top of base.

Always compare the total package rather than base alone, since the extras can be a meaningful share.

How do I set a competitive salary to attract a Head of Marketing?

Benchmark against the range above, pitch at the right experience band, add a clear incentive, and factor in location.

If you'd like a live read on what your Head of Marketing role should pay to attract strong candidates, we benchmark it for free as part of the search - no fee until your hire starts.

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