Special Products Marketing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Special Products Marketing is a specialized academic field focused on the strategic promotion and distribution of unique, niche-market goods such as floral arrangements, gourmet food items, and curated home or office essentials. This program equips learners with the analytical and operational expertise needed to design and execute targeted marketing initiatives tailored to distinctive consumer segments and product categories.
- Marketing Research Principles: Techniques for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting consumer data to inform product positioning, pricing, and campaign development in specialized markets.
- Advertising Strategy Development: Methods for crafting compelling, brand-aligned messages that resonate with specific audiences across digital and traditional platforms.
- Promotional Campaign Organization: Planning and managing integrated marketing campaigns that coordinate timing, channels, and messaging for maximum impact during seasonal or event-driven sales periods.
- Media Relations and Public Engagement: Skills in building and maintaining relationships with press, influencers, and community stakeholders to enhance brand visibility and credibility.
- Technical and Administrative Proficiency: Hands-on training in inventory management, order processing, CRM tools, and logistics essential for supporting marketing operations in fast-paced, product-specific environments.
Special Products Marketing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Special Products Marketing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Special Products Marketing degrees, including First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers, Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists and Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,559,240 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers 41-1012 | $84,130 | $48,880 - $162,120 | 219,010 | $40.45 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 13-1161 | $76,950 | $42,070 - $144,610 | 861,140 | $37.00 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products 41-4012 | $66,780 | $37,860 - $134,470 | 1,266,860 | $32.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers 41-1011 | $47,320 | $31,120 - $76,560 | 1,113,160 | $22.75 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other 41-9099 | $46,370 | $28,060 - $95,850 | 99,070 | $22.29 |
Special Products Marketing Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,046 in West Virginia to $78,690 in Washington—a 64% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, New York, and Delaware. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,559,240 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Special Products Marketing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 7 institutions offering Special Products Marketing programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Special Products Marketing is found at Saint Joseph's University (SJU) (76 graduates), Century College (27 graduates), Dallas College (22 graduates), Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (9 graduates), and Clemson University (7 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 145 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
76 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
| Century College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
27 | White Bear Lake, Minnesota | Public | century.edu |
| Dallas College |
Other Award
|
22 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | New York, New York | Public | fitnyc.edu |
| Clemson University |
Other Award
|
7 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Special Products Marketing programs
How much can I earn with a Special Products Marketing degree?
Salaries for Special Products Marketing graduates vary by role and location. First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers earn a median of $84,130 annually, while Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earn around $76,950. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $78,690 compared to $48,046 in West Virginia. Approximately 3,559,240 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Special Products Marketing programs?
Currently 7 accredited institutions offer Special Products Marketing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Saint Joseph's University (SJU) (76 graduates), Century College (27 graduates), and Dallas College (22 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Special Products Marketing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 224 in 2010 to a peak of 190 in 2020, before declining slightly to 145 in 2023-24. This represents a 35% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Special Products Marketing degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers, Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists, and Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products. Related occupations employ approximately 3,559,240 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Business Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Business field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Business Statistics
A program that focuses on the application of mathematical statistics to the description, analysis, and forecasting of business data. Includes instruction in statistical...
Actuarial Science
A program that focuses on the mathematical and statistical analysis of risk, and their applications to insurance and other business management problems. Includes...
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Any instructional program in business quantitative methods and management science not listed above.
Marketing Management
A program that generally prepares individuals to undertake and manage the process of developing consumer audiences and moving products from producers to consumers....
Marketing Research
A program that prepares individuals to provide analytical descriptions of consumer behavior patterns and market environments to marketing managers and other business decision-makers....
International Marketing
A program that prepares individuals to perform marketing activities in enterprises primarily engaged in exporting or importing goods and services in world markets....