Marketing Careers in British Columbia


If you are interested in a career in marketing within British Columbia choose from the resources below.

What is the Industry like in British Columbia?
What are the Major Firms?
What are Salaries like in British Columbia?
What School Programs are Available?

British Columbia Marketing Job Industry

British Columbia boasts the third strongest marketing industry in the nation, with $620.2 million in revenues for 2008 and$194.4 million in total salaries paid to marketing employees.  The profitability of these marketing endeavors was also extremely high, with an operating profit margin of 13.1%, the third highest of any province.

Independent marketing firms earned $219 million in revenue in 2008, while distributing $93.1 million in employee salaries.  Public relations firms earned $56.7 million in the same period, while paying employees $23.5 million.  Media buying agencies reaped $17.2 million in revenue, while paying $6.6 million in salaries and benefits.

British Columbia Statistics

  • 2012 Median Salary for Marketing Managers in British Columbia: $104,155
  • 2012 Median Salary for Market Research Analysts in British Columbia: $64,261
  • 2012 Median Salary for Marketing Executives in BC: $161,955
  • British Columbia’s Marketing Revenue for 2008: $620.2 million
  • Total Earnings for BC Marketing Professionals in 2008: $194.4 million

This enormous amount of marketing activity is dependent on a bustling economy which generated $197.93 billion in 2008, and produced a per capita gross domestic product of $45,150, one of the largest in the country.  The extremely productive workers and businesses of British Columbia are heavily dependent on forestry, mining, retail and the film industry.

Much of the wealth of British Columbia is derived from business centered in Vancouver, a major gateway to the Pacific.  The port of Vancouver supports 69,200 jobs with $8.9 billion in economic output annually.  Vancouver’s other major industry is film; the city is the third largest center on the continent for television and film production behind only Los Angeles and New York.  Vancouver also hosts a burgeoning high tech industry with many major companies like Amazon, Nokia, Microsoft and Intel possessing large facilities there.  Vancouver is also the headquarters for major financial institutions like HSBC Canada and Vancity.

Marketing Firms in British Columbia

Many British Columbia marketing firms are leaders in the Canadian industry.

  • 1st on the List Promotion Inc. of Abbotsford, British Columbia
  • Metamend of Victoria, British Columbia
  • 6S Marketing, Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Pitstop Media Inc. of Surrey, British Columbia
  • Mediative of Kelowna, British Columbia

 

Professional Associations

 

Marketing Salaries in British Columbia

The British Columbia marketing industry is one of the most lucrative in the country, with salaries highest in the Vancouver area.  A market research analyst in the lowest 25% of earners could expect up to $55,484 annually in 2012, which is $5,401 more than the salary for a comparable position nationally.  The median salary for this position in British Columbia is $64,261 which is $6,255 more than the national median of $58,006.  Those in the 75th percentile earned $72,860, compared to the same national salary of $65,767 for that percentile.

Marketing managers were compensated even more generously than non-management marketers.  Those in the 25th percentile in BC earned $80,777 for 2012, while the national salary for this percentile was $72,914.  The median in British Columbia was $104,155 which was $10,139 more than the national median salary of $94,016.  Those in the 75th percentile enjoyed a salary of $130,357, a $12,690 premium over the comparable salary nationally of $117,667.

A marketing executive could earn upwards of $180,000 annually depending on work experience and industry of employment.  A marketing executive in the 25th percentile working in British Columbia could expect an annual salary of $136,019 compared to the same salary nationally of $122,779.  The median for this job in British Columbia was $161,955, a bonus of $15,765 over the national median of $146,190.  Those in the 75th percentile earned $184,259 for 2012, while those in the 75th percentile nationally earned $166,323.

In 2011, advertising and marketing professionals in British Columbia averaged $89,119, according to the Canadian government’s economic research branch, Statistics Canada. In general, advertising and marketing salaries were higher in Vancouver than Victoria.

Advertising managers in Vancouver earned a median salary of $95,944 compared to $91,369 in Victoria. Market integration managers in Vancouver earned a median salary of $101,603 compared to $96,758 in Victoria. Market research analysts in Vancouver earned a median salary of $64,261 compared to $61,197 in Victoria. Market research managers in Vancouver earned a median salary of $90,519 compared to $86,202 in Victoria. Marketing managers in Vancouver were among the highest paid in the Province. The median among them was $104,155 compared to $99,188 in Victoria.

Position
City
Median
Advertising Manager
Vancouver
$95944
Advertising Manager
Victoria
$91369
Market Integration Manager
Vancouver
$101603
Market Integration Manager
Victoria
$96758
Market Research Analyst
Vancouver
$64261
Market Research Analyst
Victoria
$61197
Market Research Manager
Vancouver
$90519
Market Research Manager
Victoria
$86202
Marketing Manager
Vancouver
$104155
Marketing Manager
Victoria
$99188

Employment and salary data included in these tables was originally published by Statistics Canada.

Marketing Degrees in British Columbia

British Columbia is home to eleven public universities and four private universities, all of which offer at least a Bachelor’s degree program in a field like marketing, business, information technology or communications.  There are also seven colleges and institutes which offer similar undergraduate and, in some cases, higher degrees.  There four community colleges in addition to a number of private technical schools and career training institutions that may offer degree or certificate programs in marketing related subjects.

A Bachelor’s degree is almost always necessary for a job in the marketing industry, although some entry level positions may only ask for an Associate’s degree.  A position in management usually requires at least seven years of work experience and at least a Bachelor’s degree, with many positions giving preference to those with dual or advanced degrees.  At least a Master’s degree is usually necessary to attain a position in upper management, and 15 years of experience is expected.

Among the great public and private colleges in British Columbia are many online and campus-based schools offering marketing programs. Here is a list of a few that might meet your educational criteria in British Columbia: