Director of Marketing.
Wichita.
$153,000
median salary, 17% below the national average
$116,000 to $199,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Director of Marketing salary in Wichita is $153,000, 17% below the national average. Entry level starts near $116,000. Experienced professionals push past $199,000. Wichita is the air capital of the world, home to major aerospace manufacturers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Airbus. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $138,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$99,000
to $122,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$130,000
to $161,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$168,000
to $199,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$191,000
to $237,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $101,000 to the total package.
Base
$153,000
Equity
$55,000
Bonus
$34,000
Signing
$12,000
Estimated total: $254,000
How Wichita compares
Wichita, KS
$153,000
Cost of living: 18% below average
National Average
$185,000
Wichita is $32,000 below
Director of Marketing salary by city
Salary by role in Wichita
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Director of Marketing offer in Wichita, understand the terrain. Wichita is the air capital of the world, home to major aerospace manufacturers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Airbus. The city's engineering talent pool is deep, and the extremely low cost of living means aerospace salaries deliver exceptional purchasing power. Functional focus, budget ownership, and marketing channel expertise drive the most variation. Directors of demand generation and growth marketing earn more than those in content or communications. B2B tech companies pay at the top of market, and directors managing $5 million or more in annual budget command premiums.
Senior marketing managers earn $110,000 to $145,000. Marketing directors start at $140,000 to $185,000. Senior directors overseeing multiple functions earn $175,000 to $225,000. VP of marketing is the next step at $200,000 to $310,000 with executive bonus structures and larger equity grants. In Wichita, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 18% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Performance bonuses of 15 to 25% of base tied to pipeline contribution, lead quality, and campaign ROI are standard. Equity grants at growth companies add $40,000 to $150,000 in annualized value. Marketing directors often receive conference attendance and professional development budgets. And on the tax side: kansas has a top income tax rate of 5.7%. Wichita has no city income tax. The moderate state rate combined with very low housing costs creates strong net pay. When someone quotes you $153,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight aerospace engineering expertise. Wichita manufacturers pay competitive national rates for specialized aviation and defense engineering talent. The range for Director of Marketings in Wichita runs from $116,000 to $199,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Solutions Architect in Wichita earns $154,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Wichita is Chief AI Officer at $264,000
Common questions.
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