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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
, Coburg Banks
Mark has over 30 years in recruitment, placing marketing professionals from executive to Marketing Director across the UK.
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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

Salary by UK region

Region
Median Base
Typical Range
vs UK
North East
£70k
£56k-£84k
-7%
North West
£72k
£57k-£86k
-4%
Yorkshire and The Humber
£71k
£57k-£85k
-6%
East Midlands
£71k
£57k-£86k
-5%
West Midlands
£72k
£57k-£86k
-4%
East of England
£75k
£60k-£90k
-1%
London
£84k
£67k-£101k
+12%
South East
£77k
£61k-£92k
+2%
South West
£73k
£58k-£87k
-3%
Wales
£71k
£57k-£85k
-6%
Scotland
£73k
£59k-£88k
-2%
Northern Ireland
£70k
£56k-£85k
-6%

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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