Marketing Manager in Quincy, MA

The Salary Picture: Where Quincy Stands

As a career analyst who’s lived in the South Shore for over a decade, I can tell you that Quincy’s job market for Marketing Managers is uniquely positioned. It’s not quite Boston, but it’s close enough to tap into that high-paying ecosystem without the brutal downtown commute or the astronomical price tag of the city proper.

Let’s get straight to the numbers. According to the latest data, the median salary for a Marketing Manager in Quincy is $163,105/year. That breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.42. This is 5.7% above the national average of $157,620/year, which is a solid premium for living in the Greater Boston area. The metro area (which includes Quincy and surrounding towns) has 203 open jobs for this role right now, with a 10-year job growth projection of 8%. That’s steady, reliable growth—not a boom, but not a bust either.

To give you some context, here’s how salary breaks down by experience level. These figures are based on local market data and adjusted for Quincy’s specific cost-of-living factors.

| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Notes |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Entry-Level (0-2 yrs) | $95,000 - $115,000 | $45.67 - $55.28 | Often at local agencies or smaller tech firms. |
| Mid-Level (3-7 yrs) | $163,105 (Median) | $78.42 | The most common bracket, especially in healthcare and tech. |
| Senior (8-12 yrs) | $185,000 - $210,000 | $88.94 - $100.96 | Team leadership roles at major employers. |
| Expert/Specialist (12+ yrs) | $220,000+ | $105.77+ | Director-level, often with a specialty (e.g., healthcare marketing). |

How Quincy Compares to Other MA Cities:

• Quincy: $163,105
• Boston: $171,200 (about 5% higher, but cost of living is ~25% higher)
• Cambridge: $173,500 (similar to Boston, mostly tech/biotech)
• Worcester: $138,450 (lower salary, but significantly cheaper housing)
• Springfield: $128,900 (lowest in the state for this role)

Quincy hits a sweet spot: you’re paid nearly Boston wages without paying Boston rent.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be blunt: $163,105 sounds great until you see the deductions. In Massachusetts, you’re looking at roughly 30-32% total tax burden (federal, state, FICA). For a single filer with no dependents, that means your monthly take-home pay is approximately $9,500-$9,800.

Now, let’s budget for a Marketing Manager living alone in Quincy:

• Rent (1BR, median): $2,377/month
• Utilities (electric, gas, internet): $250/month
• Groceries: $500/month
• Transportation (T pass + occasional Uber): $150/month
• Health Insurance (employer-sponsored): $300/month (pre-tax)
• Student Loans/Other Debt: $500/month (average)
• Retirement (401k, 10%): $1,360/month (pre-tax)
• Remaining for discretionary spend: ~$4,363/month

This is a manageable budget if you’re single. However, if you’re eyeing homeownership, the math gets tight. The median home price in Quincy is $625,000. With a 20% down payment ($125,000), a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% would be about $3,950/month plus taxes and insurance. That’s nearly double the median rent. For a single income, that’s a stretch. Most Marketing Managers buying in Quincy are either dual-income households or have been saving aggressively for years.

Insider Tip: Many professionals in this bracket live in Quincy for the lifestyle but buy in more affordable suburbs like Weymouth or Braintree, accepting a 10-15 minute longer commute.

Where the Jobs Are: Quincy's Major Employers

Quincy isn’t a corporate HQ town like Boston, but it’s a hub for regional offices and major employers in key industries. Marketing Managers here are often supporting sales and growth for established companies, not building brands from scratch. Here’s where the jobs are:

1. Boston Financial Data Services (BFDS): A major player in retirement plan administration. They have a large office in Quincy Point. They hire marketing managers for B2B campaigns and client communications. Hiring is steady, with a focus on digital transformation.

2. Manulife/John Hancock: While their HQ is in Boston, their massive campus is in Quincy’s Wollaston neighborhood. They have a deep bench of marketing roles, especially in direct-to-consumer and financial services marketing. This is a top-tier employer with benefits and stability.

3. South Shore Health: The hospital system’s headquarters and main campus are in Weymouth, but their marketing team is embedded in Quincy. This is a major source of jobs for healthcare marketing specialists. The role here is highly regulated and focused on patient acquisition and community outreach.

4. Granite Telecommunications (Granite): Headquartered in Quincy, this is one of the largest private companies in the U.S. They have a big marketing department focused on B2B telecom sales support, brand management, and event marketing. It’s a fast-paced environment with a strong sales culture.

5. State Street Corporation: While their main campus is in Quincy Center, their marketing roles are often centralized in Boston. However, Quincy-based roles do pop up, particularly in internal communications and employer branding, given their massive local footprint.

6. Local Agency Scene: Smaller, boutique agencies like MullenLowe (a Boston agency with Quincy talent) and specialized digital shops serve the healthcare, tech, and finance clients in the area. These are great for building a diverse portfolio but often come with higher pressure and more variable hours.

Hiring Trend: The push is for marketers who are data-savvy (SQL, Google Analytics) and can work in hybrid roles. Pure brand marketers are less common here than in Boston; Quincy employers want someone who can prove ROI.

Getting Licensed in MA

This is a key point: Marketing Managers do NOT require a state-specific license in Massachusetts. Unlike accountants, real estate agents, or nurses, marketing is an unlicensed profession. You won’t need to file paperwork with the state.

However, there are certifications and credentials that will boost your salary and employability. These are offered by professional organizations, not the state.

• Digital Marketing Certifications: Google Ads, Google Analytics, HubSpot, and Facebook Blueprint are highly valued. Cost: $0 - $150 per exam. Timeline: You can study and get certified in 1-3 months.
• Professional Associations: Joining the American Marketing Association (AMA) or the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) provides networking and resources. Annual dues: $150 - $400.
• Continuing Education: Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for relevant Master’s degrees (MBA, MS in Marketing). Local programs exist at Boston College (Chestnut Hill), Northeastern (Boston), and UMass Boston (Dorchester).

The only "licensed" activity would be if you were a sole proprietor offering services, in which case you’d register a DBA ("Doing Business As") with the Quincy City Clerk's Office for a $50 fee. This isn’t a marketing license; it’s a business registration.

Best Neighborhoods for Marketing Managers

Where you live in Quincy impacts your lifestyle and commute more than anything. The T (Red Line) is your lifeline to Boston jobs, but traffic on the highways (I-93, Route 128) can be brutal.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Best For
Quincy Center	Urban, walkable. Direct Red Line access to Boston (25 mins). Dense with restaurants, shops.	$2,400 - $2,700	The professional who wants a city-lite feel and an easy commute.
Wollaston	Residential, family-oriented. Quiet streets. Close to Manulife campus. T access is 10-min walk.	$2,100 - $2,400	Those seeking a quieter home base, possibly with kids or planning for family.
North Quincy	Diverse, bustling. Great food scene (Asian cuisine). Direct Red Line access. Can be noisy.	$2,200 - $2,500	Young professionals who want nightlife and easy transit.
Adams Shore	Waterfront, scenic. More houses than apartments. A longer walk to T, but great views.	$2,000 - $2,300	Someone with a car who values space and views over a walkable commute.
Houghs Neck	Tight-knit, coastal community. Very residential. Requires a car for everything.	$1,900 - $2,200	If you work remotely or have a hybrid job and love the ocean breeze.

Insider Tip: If you work in Boston, North Quincy or Quincy Center is unbeatable for the T. If you work locally (e.g., at Manulife or Granite), Wollaston or Adams Shore offers a quieter lifestyle with a shorter commute.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 8% in Quincy is solid, but it’s important to understand where that growth will come from. It won’t be in traditional advertising; it will be in specialized, data-driven marketing roles.

Specialty Premiums:

• Healthcare Marketing: Given the presence of South Shore Health and the web of medical offices, specialists in HIPAA-compliant digital marketing and patient journey mapping can command a 10-15% premium over the median salary.
• B2B Tech & Telecom: With Granite and other tech-adjacent firms, marketers who understand sales funnels, lead generation, and CRM (like Salesforce) have a clear path to senior roles.
• Financial Services Marketing: Navigating the compliance-heavy world of Manulife/John Hancock is a niche skill. It’s less glamorous but offers incredible stability and benefits.

Advancement Paths:
The typical path is Marketing Manager → Senior Marketing Manager → Marketing Director → VP of Marketing. In Quincy, the jump from Manager to Director often happens by moving to a larger company (like Manulife) or taking a role at a smaller company with a broader scope. The true ceiling is often in Boston, but many Quincy-based Directors work remotely or travel 1-2 days a week.

Insider Tip: The most successful long-term players in Quincy build a network across the "South Shore Corridor." This means connecting with professionals not just in Quincy, but in Weymouth, Braintree, and even the Cape. The region is interconnected, and opportunities come through local referrals.

The Verdict: Is Quincy Right for You?

Here’s the honest breakdown.

Pros	Cons
Salary is high relative to cost of living vs. Boston.	Buying a home is a major financial stretch on a single income.
Access to Boston jobs without the Boston price tag.	Public transit is limited beyond the Red Line; a car is often needed.
Stable, major employers in healthcare, finance, and telecom.	Job market is less dynamic than Boston; fewer startups and creative roles.
Diverse neighborhoods with different lifestyles (urban, suburban, waterfront).	The "Quincy" identity can feel like a suburb of Boston rather than its own city.
Proximity to ocean and outdoor activities (Wollaston Beach, Squantum).	Traffic congestion on I-93 and Route 128 can be significant.

Final Recommendation:
Quincy is an excellent choice for Marketing Managers who are mid-career (3-10 years of experience), value stability over constant change, and want to build a life in a vibrant suburb with easy access to Boston. It’s ideal for those in B2B, healthcare, or financial services marketing. It’s less ideal for someone early in their career seeking a high-energy startup scene, or for someone who dreams of owning a single-family home without a substantial dual income or savings.

If the median salary of $163,105 aligns with your goals and you’re comfortable with a urban-suburban hybrid lifestyle, Quincy offers a compelling, pragmatic balance.

FAQs

1. Is the salary of $163,105 enough for a family of four in Quincy?
It would be very tight. With two kids, childcare costs alone can run $2,500-$3,000/month. A family would likely need a second income or a salary above the median to live comfortably in Quincy. Many families opt for nearby towns like Milton or Braintree for more space at a similar price point.

2. How competitive is the job market with only 203 jobs listed?
The number seems low, but it’s typical for a stable market. Many roles are filled through internal promotions and networking. The 8% growth indicates steady demand. To be competitive, you need a specialization (like digital analytics or healthcare marketing) and a strong local network.

3. Do I need a car to live and work in Quincy?
If you work remotely or your office is in Quincy Center (accessible by T), you could manage without one. However, if you work at Manulife in Wollaston, South Shore Health, or need to run errands, a car is highly recommended. The MBTA bus system exists but is less efficient than the T.

4. What’s the vibe for marketing professionals in Quincy vs. Boston?
Boston is fast-paced, innovative, and heavily networked. Quincy is more relaxed, relationship-driven, and practical. You’ll find fewer "brand guru" types and more "ROI-focused" managers. The after-work culture is less about happy hours in the Seaport and more about local restaurants and community events.

5. Can I commute to Boston from Quincy while keeping a Quincy salary?
Absolutely. Many do, and the Red Line makes it feasible (though crowded). The key is that your $163,105 salary in Quincy goes much further than it would in Boston proper. You trade a slightly longer commute for significant savings on housing and a more relaxed home life.

Data sources referenced: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, Zillow Observed Rent Index, and local industry employment reports.