Marketing is big business.

And if you ever wondered where your online business degree with a marketing specialization could take you, you don't have to look any further than the Salary Barista, the annual creative industry salary information guide put out by The Creative Group, a Robert Half Company.

According to this year's guide, five key trends are affecting hiring in the marketing and creative industry.

  1. Digital is in demand. Demand for digital professionals is so great, according to the guide, that web specialists are receiving multiple job offers.

  2. Mobile marketing is exploding. Small is the new big as more and more companies are working to develop user-friendly content for small screens.

  3. Agencies are hiring. As businesses strive to maintain and develop their brands, agencies are adding manpower to meet client demands and offer new perspectives.

  4. New platforms are creating new jobs. Professionals with in-demand skills are seeing a growing number of choices in the job market.

  5. Freelance work is hotter than ever. Organizations are bringing in freelancers more often and for longer periods to manage special projects; and it's not unusual for contract workers to receive a full-time job offer.

Today's quickly shifting marketing and media landscape means new jobs and new opportunities for marketing professionals.  According to more than half of the 400 marketing and advertising executives interviewed by The Creative Group, some of the most in-demand and difficult-to-fill positions are in the creative field. The group's 2014 guide lists the following creative positions among the most in demand.

  • Digital Project Manager – Plans, organizes and executes multimedia projects.

  • Front-End Web Developer – Builds web-based applications and collaborates with designers to turn static art into browser-based web pages.

  • Interactive Marketing Manager – Manages the day-to-day operation of a company's website and provides critical feedback and analysis.

  • Mobile Designer – Collaborates with organizational teams to create compelling interactive experiences on mobile devices.

  • SEO/SEM Specialist – Directs search engine optimization and search engine marketing strategies.

  • User Experience Designer – Designs satisfying experiences for users of a product or website.

  • Web Content Writer – Writes clear and engaging online content, such as articles, product descriptions and promotional copy,  that is optimized for the web.

  • Web Designer – Creates concepts, artwork and layouts for Internet and Intranet sites.

So what can you expect to earn as you launch your marketing career? It's a wide-open field, according to the Salary Barista, which lists about 125 beginning salary ranges in the marketing and creative fields. Below are just a few to whet your appetite.

  • Traffic Manager – $50,000 to $71,750

  • Account Coordinator – $36,750 to $51,500

  • Social Media Account Manager – $53,000 to $72,500

  • Brand/Product Manager – $62,500 to $86,000

  • Presentation Specialist – $43,000 to $55,250

  • Web Designer – $52,750 to $79,500

  • Blogger – $42,000 to $63,750

  • Proposal Writer – $61,000 to $84,750

  • Content Strategist – $70,500 to $95,500

  • Public Relations Specialist – $45,000 to $70,000

One thing is clear in this year's guide: There's no shortage of opportunities for skilled marketing professionals – even those just starting out. And while experience is king, employers are often looking for recent graduates with strong portfolios and in-demand skills, particularly analytical skills, social media skills and coding and technical skills.

Want to learn more? You can check out the entire guide at, http://www.roberthalf.com/creativegroup/marketing-salaries

What type of business marketing position are you looking for?

Image Credit: Pete Morawski