Marketing Manager in Lakewood, CA

The Salary Picture: Where Lakewood Stands

As a local career analyst who’s watched the Lakewood market for years, here’s the blunt truth: this city pays Marketing Managers exceptionally well, but it’s also a place where you need to understand the nuance behind the numbers. The median salary for a Marketing Manager in Lakewood is $164,949/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.3/hour. This isn't just a headline number; it's a reflection of the high-value industries anchored here, from aerospace to healthcare. For context, this is notably above the national average for the role, which sits at $157,620/year. It’s a premium, but one you’ll need to navigate Lakewood’s cost structure.

The job market, while robust, is specific. There are approximately 156 Marketing Manager positions listed in the metro area at any given time. It’s not a sprawling, endless sea of opportunities like Los Angeles proper, but it’s a deep, stable pool. The 10-year job growth projection is 8%, which is steady and reliable. This isn’t a boomtown; it’s a place for career longevity, not a quick hop.

To give you a clearer picture of salary progression, here’s a typical breakdown based on local job postings and industry data:

Experience Level	Lakewood Median Salary	National Median Salary	Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$115,000	$110,000	Often in coordinator or specialist roles at local firms.
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$145,000	$140,000	The most common bracket, managing campaigns and small teams.
Senior (8-15 yrs)	$175,000	$168,000	Typically leads departments, works on strategy.
Expert/Lead (15+ yrs)	$210,000+	$195,000+	Often holds Director or VP titles, especially in local giants.

Compared to other California cities, Lakewood holds a unique position. It’s not competing with San Francisco’s tech salaries (where Marketing Managers can clear $220,000+), nor is it lagging behind Riverside’s more moderate scales. It sits comfortably in the sweet spot for Southern California, offering strong compensation without the extreme density and competition of downtown LA. The 8% job growth is a key indicator—while not explosive, it’s healthier than many older, saturated markets.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the take-home pay. On a $164,949 salary in California, you’re looking at an estimated take-home pay of roughly $115,000 - $120,000 annually after federal, state, and typical deductions (this is a pre-tax estimation; your actual take-home will vary based on 401k, health plan, etc.). That’s about $9,583 - $10,000 per month before your biggest local expense: housing.

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lakewood is $2,252/month. Using a conservative 30% of gross income for housing (a standard financial guideline), your budget would allow for up to $4,123/month in rent. This means you could comfortably afford a 1-bedroom or even a 2-bedroom in many parts of the city. However, a more realistic budget includes utilities, transportation, and savings. Let’s break down a monthly budget for a single Marketing Manager earning the median:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes & Local Insight
Take-Home Pay	$9,600	After taxes, health insurance, and 5% 401k contribution.
Rent (1BR Average)	$2,252	Utilities (water, trash, gas, electric) add ~$150-200.
Car Payment/Insurance	$650	Essential. Lakewood is car-dependent. Insurance rates are high in CA.
Groceries & Dining	$800	Lakewood has excellent, affordable Latin American markets (e.g., Northgate González).
Student Loans/Debt	$300	Varies widely, but a common factor.
Savings/Investment	$2,000	Aggressive but doable at this salary.
Miscellaneous/Entertainment	$1,500	Gas, subscriptions, social life, maintenance.
Remaining Buffer	$2,098	For travel, unexpected costs, or additional savings.

Can they afford to buy a home? This is the million-dollar question. The median home price in Lakewood is approximately $750,000 - $825,000. With a 20% down payment ($150,000 - $165,000), a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) could exceed $4,500/month. On a $164,949 salary, this is pushing the limits of a healthy debt-to-income ratio. It’s feasible, especially for dual-income households, but a single earner would need to be very disciplined with savings for several years. Insider Tip: Many locals in this income bracket look at neighboring cities like Cerritos or Bellflower for slightly more affordable single-family homes, accepting a 10-15 minute longer commute.

Where the Jobs Are: Lakewood's Major Employers

Unlike a tech hub, Lakewood’s marketing job ecosystem is tied to its legacy industries: aerospace, healthcare, and public sector. You won’t find a thousand startups, but you will find stable, well-paying roles at major institutions.

1. Boeing (Long Beach Campus): The elephant in the room. Boeing’s massive presence in nearby Long Beach (just minutes away) drives a significant portion of the local economy. Marketing roles here are often in corporate communications, B2B marketing for aviation, and internal branding. Hiring trends are cyclical, tied to global aerospace contracts, but they offer unparalleled resume value.

2. St. Joseph Hospital (part of Providence): One of the largest healthcare employers in the region. Marketing Managers here focus on patient acquisition, community health outreach, physician relations, and service line marketing (e.g., orthopedics, cardiac care). Hiring is relatively stable, driven by healthcare competition and growth.

3. Long Beach Memorial Medical Center: Another major healthcare hub. Their marketing teams are deep, often split between system-level (Providence) and hospital-specific campaigns. Look for roles in digital marketing, SEO for patient service pages, and event marketing for community health fairs.

4. Lakewood Regional Medical Center: While smaller than the Long Beach giants, this facility has its own marketing needs, particularly for specialty services and local community engagement. It’s a good target for mid-level managers wanting to lead a smaller, more agile team.

5. City of Lakewood: The city government itself employs marketing professionals for tourism, city-wide events (like the annual Lakewood Jubilee), public safety communications, and economic development initiatives. These roles are competitive and often favor candidates with local government or public sector experience.

6. Local School Districts: The Los Alamitos Unified School District and the Paramount Unified School District (which serves parts of Lakewood) often hire marketing/communications coordinators for enrollment campaigns, bond measures, and community relations. These are excellent roles for those with an interest in education.

7. Retail & Commercial Hubs: The Lakewood Center mall and the commercial corridors along Bellflower Blvd host corporate retailers (e.g., Target, national grocery chains) and regional headquarters that need local marketing managers. Hiring here is tied to retail cycles and local competition.

Insider Tip: The most direct path into these employers isn’t always the job boards. Join the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce or the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. Networking events here are where the unposted roles are often discussed.

Getting Licensed in CA

For Marketing Managers, there is no state-issued license required to practice in California. This is a common misconception. The field is unregulated in that sense. However, "getting licensed" refers to professional certifications that significantly boost your credibility and salary potential.

• Professional Certifications (The Real "License"):

  • Google Ads & Analytics Certifications: Free and essential for digital-heavy roles.
  • HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification: Valued by many local B2B and healthcare marketers.
  • American Marketing Association (AMA) Professional Certified Marketer (PCM): A more advanced, nationally recognized credential. Exam cost is ~$400 for members, $600 for non-members.
  • Six Sigma (Yellow/Green Belt): Highly valued in aerospace and healthcare for process-driven marketing. Certification can cost $1,500 - $3,000.

• Timeline to Get Started:

  • Immediate (1-4 weeks): Complete free Google certs to bolster your resume.
  • Short-Term (1-6 months): Study for and obtain a HubSpot or AMA PCM certification while applying for jobs.
  • Long-Term (1-2 years): Pursue a Six Sigma belt if targeting Boeing or large healthcare systems, which may require employer sponsorship.

Key Resource: The California Department of Consumer Affairs has no licensing board for marketing managers. Your best resource for ethical guidelines is the AMA's Code of Ethics.

Best Neighborhoods for Marketing Managers

Where you live in Lakewood will define your daily life. The city is largely suburban, but pockets have distinct personalities. Commute is king in Southern California.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Best For...
South Lakewood (near Los Cerritos Center)	Upscale, quiet, tree-lined streets. Easy freeway access (I-605, I-405). 15-20 mins to Long Beach offices.	$2,400 - $2,700	Professionals wanting a classic, safe suburban feel. Great for families.
North Lakewood (near Bellflower Blvd)	More bustling, diverse, with great local dining. Closer to the "action." 10-15 mins to Long Beach.	$2,100 - $2,400	Those who want walkable amenities and a vibrant local scene.
East Lakewood (near Lakewood Golf Club)	Very residential, peaceful, with larger lots. Slightly longer commute to Long Beach (20-25 mins).	$2,300 - $2,600	People seeking more space and tranquility, willing to drive a bit more.
West Lakewood (near the 605 freeway)	Mixed-use, some older apartment complexes, very central. Commute is easiest here (10-15 mins to anywhere).	$2,000 - $2,300	Commuters who prioritize time over neighborhood charm.
Neighboring Cerritos	Technically outside Lakewood but a 5-minute drive. Exceptional public schools, very polished. Higher rents.	$2,500 - $2,900	Marketing Managers with families who prioritize school districts above all.

Insider Tip: Traffic on the 710 freeway can be a nightmare during peak hours. If your job is near the Boeing facility or the ports in Long Beach, living in West or North Lakewood will save you significant daily stress.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 8% ten-year job growth in Lakewood is a story of evolution, not revolution. The growth isn’t in creating thousands of new marketing manager roles; it’s in the specialization of existing ones.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Digital/Social Media Marketing: Command a 10-15% premium over generalist roles. Every local employer, from hospitals to the city, needs this.
  • Healthcare Marketing: Specializing in patient acquisition and regulatory-compliant digital outreach can push you toward the higher end of the senior bracket ($175,000+).
  • B2B/Industrial Marketing: Experience with complex sales cycles (like in aerospace supply chains) is rare and highly valued, often leading to $180,000+ roles at companies like Boeing.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Marketing Manager -> Senior Marketing Manager -> Director of Marketing: The standard path at large employers like the hospitals and Boeing.
  2. Marketing Manager -> Marketing Communications Manager -> VP of Communications: Common in public sector and corporate settings.
  3. Specialist (e.g., Digital) -> Head of Digital Marketing -> CMO (at a smaller regional firm): A viable path if you move to a mid-sized company in the area.

• 10-Year Outlook: The trend is toward integrated marketing. The managers who thrive will be those who blend traditional community outreach (key in Lakewood’s tight-knit fabric) with data-driven digital strategies. The 8% growth will likely come from the digital transformation of traditional employers like healthcare and government, not from new industries.

The Verdict: Is Lakewood Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong Salaries: $164,949 median is well above national average.	High Cost of Living: 115.5 index means you feel the price of everything.
Stable Job Market: Anchored by aerospace, healthcare, and government.	Limited "Cool" Factor: No startup scene or nightlife; it's a mature suburb.
Manageable Commute: Living locally gets you to most jobs in <20 mins.	Car Dependency: You must own a reliable car; public transit is limited.
Family-Friendly: Excellent schools (in parts), parks, and safe neighborhoods.	Competitive Housing Market: Buying a home is a significant financial hurdle for singles.
Central Location: Easy access to LA, Orange County, and the coast.	Demographic Shifts: The city is evolving; some areas feel less "traditional" than others.

Final Recommendation: Lakewood is an excellent choice for a Marketing Manager who values stability, a good salary, and a family-friendly environment over a fast-paced, trend-driven career. It’s ideal for mid-to-senior level professionals looking to plant roots. It’s less ideal for early-career marketers seeking a dynamic, network-heavy startup scene. If you can secure a job with one of its major employers and are comfortable with a 30-year mortgage horizon, Lakewood offers a solid, high-quality life.

FAQs

Q: Is $164,949 enough to live comfortably in Lakewood as a single person?
A: Yes, absolutely. As the budget breakdown shows, you can live well, save aggressively, and afford a nice 1-bedroom apartment. "Comfortable" here means you can cover all essentials, have discretionary spending, and build savings without stress.

Q: Do I need a car to be a Marketing Manager in Lakewood?
A: 100% yes. Employers are spread out, and public transit (like the Long Beach Transit buses) is not efficient for most commutes or client meetings. Factor in car payments, high California insurance, and gas into your budget.

Q: Are there remote marketing jobs based in Lakewood?
A: Hybrid models are increasingly common, especially at larger employers like Boeing and the hospital systems. Fully remote roles are rarer, as many local marketing jobs require some in-person presence for community events or office collaboration. Insider Tip: Look for companies with "flexible work" policies in their job descriptions.

Q: How competitive is the job market for Marketing Managers here?
A: With only 156 jobs in the metro, it's not as flooded as Los Angeles, but it's not easy either. Competition is highest for senior roles at top employers. Tailoring your resume to highlight experience with healthcare, B2B, or public sector marketing will give you a major edge.

Q: What’s the best way to find a marketing job in Lakewood?
A: Beyond LinkedIn and Indeed, use niche platforms like Built In Los Angeles (for tech-adjacent roles) and Hospital Careers (for healthcare). More importantly, network locally. Attend Lakewood Chamber of Commerce mixers and connect with recruiters who specialize in Southern California's healthcare and aerospace sectors. Your resume needs to speak to the local economy.