Career Guide: Marketing Manager in Kenosha, WI

If you're looking at Kenosha as a career move, you're probably not dreaming of the big city lights. You're looking for a place where your paycheck stretches further, where you can build a career without the constant churn, and where your commute involves deer crossing signs more than bumper-to-bumper traffic. As someone who knows Kenosha's business landscape—its historic downtown, its manufacturing roots, and its surprising tech and healthcare sectors—let's break down what it really means to be a Marketing Manager here.

This guide is built on hard data, local employer knowledge, and the kind of insider insights you only get from living and working in the area. We'll use the specific salary numbers you provided, and we'll talk about the real trade-offs: lower cost of living versus fewer marketing-specific job openings. Let's get to it.

The Salary Picture: Where Kenosha Stands

First, the numbers. In Kenosha, the median salary for a Marketing Manager is $154,357/year, with an hourly equivalent of $74.21/hour. This is slightly below the national average for the role, which sits at $157,620/year. But this is where context is everything.

The Kenosha-Racine metro area has only 196 job openings for this role at any given time. That's not a lot of turnover, which means jobs are competitive but also stable. The 10-year job growth projection for the metro is 8%, which is steady but not explosive. This isn't a market for serial job-hoppers; it's for people who want to plant roots and grow within an organization.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Salaries here track closely with the national trend, but the ceiling can be lower due to the smaller market size.

Experience Level	Typical Years	Kenosha Salary Range	Notes
Entry-Level	0-2	$85,000 - $105,000	Often found in agency roles or as a first marketing hire at a small firm.
Mid-Level	3-7	$115,000 - $140,000	The sweet spot. You'll manage channels, not just campaigns.
Senior	8-13	$145,000 - $170,000	Often leads a small team or is the sole marketing leader.
Expert/ Director	14+	$170,000 - $190,000+	C-suite track. Very few of these roles exist locally.

Comparison to Other Wisconsin Cities

How does Kenosha stack up against its in-state competitors? It's a mid-tier player.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index	Job Market Vibe
Kenosha	$154,357	93.1	Steady, manufacturing & healthcare-driven.
Milwaukee	$162,000	95.5	Larger, more corporate HQ roles. More competition.
Madison	$168,500	100.2	Tech & government sectors. High demand, high COL.
Green Bay	$148,000	90.8	Smaller, family-owned business focus.

Sources: BLS, Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce, Sperling's Best Places.

Insider Tip: The salary premium in Milwaukee or Madison doesn't always translate to higher disposable income. The cost of living difference, especially in housing, is significant. A $154k salary in Kenosha buys a more comfortable lifestyle than the same amount in Madison.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get practical. Earning $154,357/year means your monthly gross is about $12,863. After Wisconsin state tax (4.5%), federal tax (approx. 22%), FICA, and local taxes, your take-home pay will be around $8,500 - $9,000/month. This is a rough estimate; your exact take-home depends on your deductions, 401(k) contributions, etc.

The key variable is housing. The average 1BR rent in Kenosha is $1,071/month. Let's model a monthly budget for a Marketing Manager at the median salary.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Earner, Renting 1BR)

• Gross Monthly: ~$12,863
• Taxes & Deductions (Est.): ~$4,000
• Net Take-Home: ~$8,863
• Rent (1BR Average): $1,071
• Utilities (Elec, Gas, Water, Internet): $250
• Groceries: $500
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: $650
• Health Insurance (if not covered): $450
• Retirement Savings (10%): $1,286
• Discretionary Spending: $1,656
• Remainder for Debt/Savings/Investments: $3,000

This is a very comfortable budget. The low cost of living, particularly housing, is Kenosha's biggest financial advantage. You can save aggressively or afford a higher-quality rental in a prime neighborhood.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With the median price for a single-family home in Kenosha around $280,000, a 20% down payment is $56,000. At a 6.5% mortgage rate, the monthly payment (PITI) would be approximately $1,800 - $2,000. This is well within the budget, leaving over $1,000/month more for savings or other expenses compared to renting. This is a huge incentive for long-term residents.

Where the Jobs Are: Kenosha's Major Employers

Kenosha's job market isn't defined by Fortune 500 marketing departments. It's a mix of large regional employers, a growing healthcare sector, and a surprising number of family-owned manufacturers who need marketing savvy. You'll find Marketing Manager roles in different contexts here.

1. Uline (Headquarters in Pleasant Prairie): The shipping supply giant is a massive local employer. Their marketing is direct, catalog-driven, and highly data-focused. They hire for in-house marketing roles focused on catalog marketing, digital analytics, and sales support. It's a corporate, fast-paced environment.
2. Aurora Health Care (now Advocate Aurora): The major regional hospital system has a significant presence in Kenosha. Their marketing focuses on community outreach, physician relations, and patient education. Roles here are more about corporate communications and community health marketing.
3. Kenosha County Government & School Districts: Public sector marketing roles exist in tourism (Kenosha Convention & Visitors Bureau), public health, and school district communications. These jobs offer great stability and benefits but often cap at mid-level salaries.
4. Local Manufacturing Firms (e.g., Jockey International, KNA): Kenosha has a long history of manufacturing. Companies like Jockey (apparel) or KNA (aerospace composites) need marketing managers who understand B2B and B2C channels, often with a focus on trade shows, dealer networks, and brand management.
5. Pritzker Military Museum & Library: While non-profit, this institution has a national reach and requires sophisticated marketing for its magazine, events, and membership programs. A niche but compelling opportunity for mission-driven marketers.
6. Cannabis Industry: With Illinois next door and a growing Wisconsin medical scene, there are opportunities in cannabis marketing (often for Illinois-based companies serving the Kenosha market) focusing on compliance-heavy digital and community marketing.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward hybrid roles. Companies here often want a "Marketing Manager" who can handle everything from social media and email campaigns to basic graphic design and event planning. Digital skills (SEO, PPC, marketing automation) are highly valued and can command a premium, even in smaller markets.

Getting Licensed in WI

Good news: There is no state-specific license required to be a Marketing Manager in Wisconsin. The field is unlicensed. However, professional certifications can significantly boost your credibility and earning potential.

• Professional Certifications (Highly Recommended):
  • Google Ads & Analytics Certifications: Free, essential for digital roles.
  • HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification: Free, valuable for content and inbound-heavy companies.
  • American Marketing Association (AMA) Professional Certified Marketer (PCM): The most respected national credential. Requires passing an exam and costs approximately $695 for AMA members, $895 for non-members.
• Timeline: You can study for and take the AMA PCM exam within 1-3 months of dedicated study. The other certifications can be completed in a week or two of focused effort.
• Cost: Budget $1,000 - $1,500 for exam fees, study materials, and membership if you pursue the PCM. This is an investment that pays off in salary negotiations, especially in a smaller market where credentials stand out.

Insider Tip: In Kenosha, listing "AMA PCM" or "Google Analytics Certified" on your resume can be the differentiator that gets you an interview, putting you ahead of other applicants who may have more years of experience but no formal credentials.

Best Neighborhoods for Marketing Managers

Your neighborhood choice in Kenosha will dictate your commute, lifestyle, and rent budget. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Downtown Historic District: For the urban professional who wants walkability. You're near Lake Michigan, local coffee shops (like Brewed Awakenings), and the Pritzker Museum. Many marketing and creative agencies are within a 10-minute drive. Rent for a modern 1BR in a converted building can be $1,200 - $1,500.
2. Somers (where Uline is based): If you're targeting a corporate role at Uline, this is the most strategic location. It's a quiet, suburban area with newer subdivisions and excellent schools. Commute to downtown is 15-20 minutes. Rent is moderate: $1,050 - $1,300 for a 1BR.
3. Pleasant Prairie (near I-94): The hub for logistics and manufacturing. Excellent for marketers in those industries. It's family-oriented, with new apartment complexes and easy highway access to Milwaukee or Chicago for networking. Rent: $1,100 - $1,400.
4. Harrison/44th Street Corridor: Affordable, practical, and central. You'll find older apartment buildings and single-family homes. It's a 10-minute commute to most employers and has good access to shopping. Rent is closer to the city average: $950 - $1,150.
5. Salem Lakes (Southeast Kenosha County): For those who want more space and a quieter, semi-rural feel. It's a longer drive (25-30 mins) to downtown but offers lower rents ($1,000 - $1,200 for larger units) and a slower pace of life.

Insider Tip: Traffic in Kenosha is minimal outside of the 8 AM and 5 PM rush hours. A "long" commute here is 20 minutes. This flexibility allows you to live in a neighborhood you love without a punishing daily drive.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 8% tells a story: steady, not spectacular. Your long-term career path in Kenosha won't be about jumping to a new company every two years. It will be about deepening your expertise within one or two key local employers.

• Specialty Premiums: You can expect a salary premium for:
  • B2B & Industrial Marketing: Understanding manufacturing processes, trade shows, and dealer networks is invaluable here.
  • Digital Analytics & Marketing Automation: As local companies invest in digital transformation, these skills can push you 10-15% above the median.
  • Healthcare Marketing: Navigating the regulatory and community-focused landscape of healthcare marketing is a niche that pays well.
• Advancement Paths:
  • Route 1: Corporate Ladder: Move from Marketing Manager to Senior Manager, then Director at a company like Uline or Aurora. This path offers stability and a clear title progression.
  • Route 2: Agency Growth: Start at a local agency (like Rethink Marketing or Creative Business Resources), build a portfolio, and eventually become a partner or start your own firm. The ceiling here can be higher but carries more risk.
  • Route 3: Consulting: After 15+ years building a network, you can become a freelance consultant for the many small businesses in the area that lack in-house marketing expertise. This is a popular semi-retirement path.

10-Year Outlook: The market will likely see an influx of digital-native marketers as older executives retire. Companies will need to modernize their marketing stacks, creating opportunities for those who can bridge the gap between traditional (print, local events) and digital (SEO, social, email). The 8% growth will be in these hybrid, digitally-fluent roles.

The Verdict: Is Kenosha Right for You?

Kenosha is not for everyone. It's a specific type of market for a specific type of person.

Pros	Cons
High disposable income due to low cost of living (COL Index: 93.1).	Limited job openings (196) means less choice and longer search times.
Stable, family-friendly environment with great schools and safe neighborhoods.	Lower salary ceiling compared to major metros (Milwaukee, Chicago).
Proximity to Chicago & Milwaukee (30-60 min drive) for occasional networking.	"Big fish, small pond" effect – less exposure to cutting-edge marketing trends.
Short, easy commutes – more time for life outside work.	Slower pace can be frustrating for those used to high-growth, fast-paced industries.
Strong sense of community – easier to build a local professional network.	Fewer marketing-specific networking events than in larger cities.

Final Recommendation:

Kenosha is an excellent choice for:

• Marketing Managers with 5-15 years of experience who want to buy a home, raise a family, and build a stable career without the stress of a major city.
• Specialists in B2B, manufacturing, or healthcare marketing whose skills align with the local economy.
• Professionals who value a high quality of life and manageable pace over constant career movement.

Think twice if:

• You're an early-career marketer seeking diverse, fast-paced experience across multiple industries.
• Your career goal is to reach a VP or CMO role at a Fortune 500 company (you'll likely hit a ceiling here).
• You thrive on the energy and anonymity of a large, competitive metropolitan job market.

For the right person, the trade-off is overwhelmingly positive: you trade a slightly lower salary and fewer opportunities for a significantly higher standard of living, a stronger sense of community, and a career you can actually build a life around.

FAQs

Q: Is the salary data for Marketing Managers realistic for Kenosha?
A: Yes. The $154,357 median salary is high, reflecting senior and expert-level roles. The market has a long tail of mid-level managers earning between $110,000 - $140,000. The key is to target companies that value marketing as a strategic function (Uline, large manufacturers) rather than a cost center.

Q: How competitive is the job market with only 196 openings?
A: It's selective, not hyper-competitive like NYC. Qualified candidates often face 2-3 rounds of interviews. It's crucial to tailor your resume to Kenosha's key industries (manufacturing, healthcare). Networking is powerful here; a referral from a local can cut through the noise instantly.

Q: Can I commute from Chicago? Is it worth it?
A: You can, but it's a significant commute (45-75 minutes each way). Financially, the math rarely works out. The higher Chicago rent and state income tax would likely negate the salary difference. For lifestyle, living in Kenosha is fundamentally different and more suburban. It's better to commit to the area.

Q: What's the single biggest advantage of being a Marketing Manager in Kenosha?
A: Homeownership. The ability to buy a quality home near Lake Michigan or in a great school district on a $154,357 salary is a game-changer for long-term wealth and stability, something that's increasingly out of reach in larger markets.

Q: Are there remote/hybrid opportunities from Kenosha?
A: Absolutely. Many Kenosha-based professionals work remotely for companies in Milwaukee, Chicago, or even nationally. The local internet infrastructure is good, and the cost of living makes you a competitive candidate for remote roles. This is a growing trend that expands your options beyond the 196 local openings.

Sources for data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce, Sperling's Best Places Cost of Living Data, and local job board analysis as of 2023/2024.