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The 2026 Higher Education Marketing Salary Report

Based on responses from more than 200 higher education marketing professionals nationwide, Concept3D’s Second Annual Salary Report provides a year-over-year look at compensation trends, work models, and workforce pressures impacting higher ed institutions today.

Most Universities Already Rave About Concept3D

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New Data Reveals These Key Stats:
$75,000
Median salary for higher ed marketers in 2025 (up from $72,000)
75%
Received a salary increase in the past year
52%
Still say higher ed pay is not competitive with other industries
74%
Have considered leaving higher education for another industry
Why Higher Ed Leaders are Paying Attention

Higher education marketing teams are being asked to do more with fewer resources — from enrollment marketing to digital experience management — while competing for talent against industry roles offering higher pay and clearer career paths.

This report helps institutions:

  • Benchmark compensation realistically
  • Understand retention risk before it becomes turnover
  • Identify non-monetary levers like flexibility and role design
  • Track workforce trends year over year
4 Higher ed leaders working together around a table cluttered with papers and laptops.
What You’ll Learn in the Full Report
  • Salary benchmarks by experience level
  • How perceptions of pay competitiveness are changing
  • The gap between current and preferred work models
  • Why marketers are considering leaving higher education
  • How role scope and specialization affect satisfaction

Now in its second year, this annual report establishes a growing benchmark for higher ed marketing teams nationwide.

3 higher ed workers brainstorming together at a table

We Power over 675 Higher Ed Marketing Departments

Founded in 2006, Concept3D is the trusted institutional partner for creating immersive, accessible digital experiences across the student lifecycle. Through a connected suite of solutions—including interactive maps, virtual tours, centralized event calendars, and room reservations—Concept3D helps colleges and universities attract, engage, and retain students with a digital-first approach to recruitment, navigation, and community building.