We all want to be paid well for what we do. And the upwardly mobile among us certainly like living in the cities that offer the best career options. So, we thought we’d show you where your best bets for both might be. For starters, we pulled cultural data and employment information to sort out which cities to spotlight. We then used the Sysomos MAP listening tool to review online conversations related to career opportunities and satisfaction in several of the cities. We tended to go with those that also offer plenty of cultural and entertainment options. After all, a healthy work-life balance keeps us inspired and energized, right? Worth noting is that the broader field of Marketing can encompass many disciplines and job titles—ranging from Search Engine Optimization (SEO), to Market Research Analyst, to Social Media Manager and beyond. We would even argue that due to increased integration in Marketing Communications, it can often include touch points in Public Relations and even Advertising. No matter how you slice the sector, it’s an exciting and rewarding field in which to work—especially if you work in one of these ten cities.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing

Salaries

1. New York CitySearching Out Your Options in SEO

We find it hard to deny the richness of the Big Apple. We’ve featured it before in other Pulses, and with good reason. It has a lot to offer. In this particular case, NYC ranks highest across the board for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) positions, with an SEO Director pulling in $84-128K annually. The Big Apple has the highest number of jobs, several different position types in demand, and the highest salaries. It is also home to some of the best places to take your clients for a deal-closing cocktail and some of the best pizza in the world. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing Salaries

2. ChicagoAnalyze This!

Chicago comes in as one of the best cities for being a Market Research Analyst, second only to NYC in number of positions available. According to Indeed.com, the average Market Research Analyst brings in $80K and there is a large concentration of jobs available here. Chicago comes up on so many lists that it’s hard to keep track of all it has to offer. It also ranked high on Indeed’s SEO, Marketing Executive, and Mobile Marketing listings. No matter how you analyze it, Chicago is a city worth building a career around. Some would even argue it gives New York City a run for its money in the world-class pizza category, too. You’ll have to decide.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing Salaries

3. SeattleTop Guns, Top Salaries

According to Salary.com, Seattle sits among the Top 10 for executive salaries in Marketing, with a median annual salary of $220K, and some positions even ranging up to $324K. Executive positions include Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) level positions and generally require an MBA and over a decade of related experience. Seattle is also well known for plenty of fun attractions, as well. It’s a hub of technology development, it’s got music and entertainment galore, and it’s the home of some of the best coffee around. For a busy executive, Seattle is a good place to not only find a good salary—but to find true work-life balance, too.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing Salaries

Focused on Mobile Marketing? If you are, NYC isn’t your best bet—due to the high concentration of competition there. Instead, we offer Boston, one of the top 10 cities for getting a job in the booming discipline of Mobile Marketing. Considering the low jobs-to-population ratios in obvious metro hotspots like New York City or Los Angeles, a city like Boston actually provides you more opportunities. We have highlighted Boston before in our other Pulses, so by now it should be clear there is no lack of history, nightlife, and social interaction here! If you like experiencing today’s mobile lifestyle in a culturally rich location, this is the city to choose.

4. BostonMarketing on the Go

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing Salaries

Marketing careers aren’t always about working for a major corporation. According to a recent Forbes survey, more female-led entrepreneur startups are successfully financed and launched in San Francisco than anywhere else besides New York City. Per Forbes, the supportive energy of the Silicon Valley startup community has fueled this boom. Per Rachel Balik, a communications writer at Achievers, “Despite being the tech capital of the world, there is still a leftover hippie vibe, where everyone genuinely wants to support each other. For women, there’s none of that breaking the glass ceiling or trying to get into the old boys club. The playing field is level.” We say, “Go girl!”

5. San Francisco Women Marketing Themselves

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing Salaries

6. Washington, D.C.New Grads Most Likely to Be Hired

Landing a great job in Marketing sometimes just boils down to job availability. According to Monster.com, a move to Washington, D.C. will greatly increase your chances at scoring a job. It is listed as the overall best city to get hired. New graduates in Marketing would be smart to head to the nation’s capital to be exposed to the widest number of opportunities. D.C. has been on several of our top lists before. We’ve featured it as a top place for great paying PR jobs and as one of the most socially networked metro areas. If you want to practice Marketing while tapping into the pulse of the nation, this certainly is the place to take your career to the next level.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing Salaries

7. MinneapolisDigital Ad Agencies with Small-Town Charm

Advertising is one of the top performing industries overall for 2011. That’s great news for big city dwellers where most of the largest advertising agencies are headquartered. But not everybody wants to work in the typical hotspots like New York and Chicago. Fortunately, gems like Minneapolis offer wonderful options for those who want to venture off the typical metropolitan career path. Minneapolis has ranked on Money-CNN’s list for best small towns to live in for years. Minneapolis also ranks higher than the national average for Marketing Director salaries. For smaller-city living with big-city bucks, consider giving this quiet and surprising option a look.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing Salaries

8. London Perfect for Promotions

Not only was London listed as a top social media mecca in a recent Pulse, but it has also experienced double-digit salary growth for PR pros and some of the world’s largest global agencies have offices here.

Even better news is that the pay is great here once you get into management. The bad news? Entry level marketers in Central London aren’t paid as highly as those in outlying areas, according to an EMR recruiting survey. An influx of graduates wanting to work there is causing wages to be slightly depressed. That said, promotions are fast and pay escalates rapidly once you’re promoted. So, get to work and get promoted, OK?

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing Salaries

Payscale.com lists the U.S. national average salary for a Social Media Manager at between $25K and $71K. LA comes in way above the average at between $26K and $98K. Not bad work if you can get it. And the odds are that you will get it in LA.

Kathy O'Reilly, director of social media relations for Monster.com, says “The number of social media-related jobs (in LA) has surged 75% over the last year. About 155 positions are available a month, up from an average of 88 a month a year ago.” Social media jobs continue to rise here, so why not go soak up the California sun while you’re living the good life?

9. Los AngelesSocial Media Jobs Surging 75%

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing Salaries

We like to go global when we can, and Australia offers several promising salary options. We selected Sydney, but you’d be happy about the prospects in Newcastle and Melbourne, too. The outlook for Sales, Communications, and Marketing jobs has increased by 36% this year with more employers seeking to add permanent head count.

Employers expect that the wages will continue to rise this year. Marketing professionals with global experience who specialize in digital and interactive are in the highest demand. If you have these skills, consider packing your bags and heading for Australia. If you hear the digital call of the wild, Australia wants you!

10. SydneyOutback Adventures for Specialized Pros

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing Salaries

Salary + Benefits = Whole Happiness Package

The places we’ve featured deliver on salary. They also offer great lifestyle benefits. Whether you love the nightlife, like the beach, want to travel the world, or prefer a quaint small town pace, there is a hotspot on this list that is just right for you.

We listed some of our favorites, but we know you have your own. Where is your top spot for earning a great living? We’d love to hear your point of view. Weigh in via the comments field below or on Twitter (our handles are on the next slide). Maybe we’ll join you in packing our bags for one of these great cities!

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing

Salaries

Next on “The Pulse”:

BROUGHT TO YOU BYwww.marketwire.com

www.sysomos.comFollow us on Twitter : @Marketwire, @Sysomos

www.commpro.bizFollow us on Twitter : @Commprobiz

TOP HOLIDAY PICKS: 10 Favorite Digital Tools for Marketing and PR Professionals

SHOW ME THE MONEY!10 Leading Cities for Marketing

Salaries

THE PULSE: Delivering shareable and shareworthy content with a twist

so integrated marketing and communications professionals can work smarter, succeed and enjoy.

www.smartwomanguides.comFollow us on Twitter : @smartwoman