A marketing manager in Canada has a median wage of about $55.29 an hour, which is roughly $115,000 a year at 2,080 hours, before the employer pays CPP and EI of up to $5,802.75 a year plus benefits, software and recruiting. Job Bank lists a range of $34.62 to $89.74 an hour. Benefits, software and recruiting come on top.
"Marketing manager cost" gets two kinds of answers: a salary number from a job board, and a full cost number from a finance person. They differ by tens of thousands of dollars. This page uses Government of Canada sources for both parts and gives you a calculator for the total.
The wage data is for a broad group, advertising, marketing and public relations managers, not a junior coordinator. Small businesses often hire below that level, so treat the median as a ceiling check, not a prediction.
How much does a marketing manager earn in Canada?
Job Bank, which uses Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey, lists these hourly wages for advertising, marketing and public relations managers across Canada (reference period 2023 to 2024). The annual column is our arithmetic at 2,080 hours a year, so change it if your role is part time.
Checked November 2026. Source: Job Bank wage report, Canada, NOC 10022. Annual figures rounded to the dollar.
What does an employer pay on top of salary in Canada?
Two costs are fixed by law outside Quebec: the employer share of CPP and of EI. For 2026 the Canada Revenue Agency lists these figures. Quebec uses different plans and rates, so check Revenu Quebec if you employ someone there.
| Item (2026) | Rate or limit | Maximum employer cost |
|---|---|---|
| CPP employer contribution | 5.95% of earnings between $3,500 and $74,600 | $4,230.45 |
| EI employer premium | $2.28 per $100 of insurable earnings, up to $68,900 | $1,572.30 |
| Total statutory maximum | Our sum | $5,802.75 |
Checked November 2026. Source: Canada Revenue Agency CPP and EI pages.
That total is the floor. It does not include vacation pay, group benefits, provincial payroll taxes, workers' compensation, equipment, software, training, recruiting fees or the manager's ad budget. Those vary too much by province and employer for us to give one number, so the calculator below lets you enter your own.
What would a marketing manager really cost my business?
The wage and statutory rules come from the sources above. Benefits, tools and recruiting are your assumptions: replace them with your quotes.
Is a marketing manager cheaper than an agency?
Sometimes, but not for the reason owners expect. A manager is one person with one skill set, working for you every day. An agency is a team you rent by the month. Compare cost per hour of work you actually need, not the headline salary. Our guides on what agencies charge, monthly agency pricing in Canada and whether agencies are worth it cover the other side.
What are the alternatives to hiring a full-time marketing manager?
If the calculator's total is more than your marketing budget, there are three common middle paths: a part-time or contract marketer, an agency for one channel, or automating the repetitive parts (calls, follow-up, reviews) so a smaller team keeps up. We compare the last option in AI employees vs a marketing agency. See published pricing for ours.
Sources
- Job Bank: Wages for Advertising, marketing and public relations managers, Canada, checked 5 November 2026.
- Canada Revenue Agency: CPP contribution rates, maximums and exemptions, checked 5 November 2026.
- Canada Revenue Agency: EI premium rates and maximums, checked 5 November 2026.
- Employment and Social Development Canada: 2026 EI premium rate announcement.
Marketing manager cost in Canada: FAQ
How much does a marketing manager cost in Canada?
Job Bank lists a median wage of $55.29 an hour for advertising, marketing and public relations managers, with a range of $34.62 to $89.74. At 2,080 hours that is about $115,003 a year at the median, before employer CPP, EI, benefits and tools.
What does an employer pay on top of a marketing manager's salary?
Outside Quebec, the 2026 employer maximum is $4,230.45 for CPP and $1,572.30 for EI, a combined $5,802.75. Vacation pay, benefits, provincial payroll taxes, workers' compensation, software and recruiting come on top and vary by employer.
Is the Job Bank wage right for a small business hire?
It describes managers across all industries and sizes. A small business hiring a coordinator or a first marketer will often pay less, while a senior hire in a big city may pay more. Use it as a reference point, then check current job postings in your city.
Is a marketing manager cheaper than a marketing agency?
It depends on what you need done. One person costs a predictable salary plus payroll costs, but covers one skill set. An agency costs a monthly retainer for a team. Use the calculator to put both on a yearly basis, then compare the hours and skills you actually need.
Does this apply in Quebec?
No. The CPP and EI figures here are for employers outside Quebec. Quebec has its own pension and parental insurance plans, so check Revenu Quebec before you budget a hire there.
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