Candidates have myriad choices when searching for entry-level marketing jobs. About one-third of all U.S. workers are employed in marketing-related careers, according to Purdue University. Some of the more common entry-level marketing positions are marketing coordinator and assistant marketing or product manager. If you are creative, analytical and can make sound decisions, you might be well-suited for an entry-level marketing position.

Primary Duties

Entry-level marketing professionals are usually responsible for helping marketing managers develop product, pricing, advertising and distribution strategies. If you are responsible for product strategies, you determine which products, features and styles consumers want through market research, and introduce those products to the marketplace. Product pricing is based on what consumers are willing to pay, which you determine through customer surveys and by studying prices of competitive products. In advertising, you determine which media sources -- television, radio, magazines, Internet and social media -- best reach target customers, and schedule the placement of ads. You might also write copy for some of the ads. Distribution strategies are usually based on where your customers shop: Wholesale and retail stores, showrooms or via the Internet.

Adminstrative Duties

Most entry-level marketing professionals do not supervise people, but they might train new employees on company policies and procedures. In this role, you might also assist marketing managers or directors in writing training manuals for new employees. If you primarily work in advertising, you monitor and track various advertisements, and help determine which sources to allocate more or fewer financial resources.

Work Environment

Most entry-level marketing professionals work in offices, Monday to Friday, during the day. Some evenings and weekends might be necessary to meet project deadlines. Nineteen percent of marketing and advertising managers worked 50 or more hours per week in 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, so expect to put in some overtime in an entry-level marketing job. Marketing work is often faced-paced so you might experience some pressure in meeting important deadlines.

Education and Training

Most entry-level marketing positions require bachelor's degrees in marketing or business. Consider getting a master's degree to increase your number of employment opportunities. This postgraduate degree might also help you get promoted to higher-level positions, including that of marketing manager or director. Training is mostly on the job, but many colleges offer internships in marketing, advertising and other marketing-related careers. If you are changing careers, consider working part-time for a consumer products company in the marketing department or in an advertising agency to gain experience.

Average Salary and Job Outlook

Entry level marketing professionals earned average annual salaries of $46,798 in 2011, according to Indiana University's Kelly School of Business, and the average hourly earnings for marketing internships was $15 per hour. Jobs for marketing managers are expected to increase 14 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the BLS, as companies need these professionals to maintain market share in the competitive marketplace. The 14 percent growth is on par with the national average for all occupations. Entry-level marketing jobs are likely to be commensurate with those of marketing managers, as they provide support for these professionals.