Advertising sales agents
SOC Code: 41-3011Also known as:
Account Planner, Account Specialist, Advertising Account Representative, Advertising Agent, Advertising Assistant
Median Annual Salary
$61,460
-6.4% growth (2024-2034)
9K
Openings/Year
104K
Current Jobs
What Advertising sales agents Do
Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.
💰 Salary
$61,460
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-6.4%
Decline
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
9K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
103,700
Projected Employment (2034)
97,100
Related Careers
Advertising and promotions managers
$126,960 •
-2.2% growth
Marketing managers
$161,030 •
+6.6% growth
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
$76,950 •
+6.7% growth
Telemarketers
$34,410 •
-22.1% growth
Top Skills Required
Speaking
Persuasion
Social Perceptiveness
Service Orientation
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Prepare and deliver sales presentations to new and existing customers to sell new advertising programs and to protect and increase existing advertising.
- Maintain assigned account bases while developing new accounts.
- Provide clients with estimates of the costs of advertising products or services.
- Locate and contact potential clients to offer advertising services.
- Explain to customers how specific types of advertising will help promote their products or services in the most effective way possible.
- Obtain and study information about clients' products, needs, problems, advertising history, and business practices to offer effective sales presentations and appropriate product assistance.
- Prepare promotional plans, sales literature, media kits, and sales contracts, using computer.
- Process all correspondence and paperwork related to accounts.
- Draw up contracts for advertising work, and collect payments due.
- Deliver advertising or illustration proofs to customers for approval.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Advertising sales agents
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a advertising sales agents:
Selling Skills and Sales Operations
1,566 degrees awarded •
82 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Advertising sales agents
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become advertising sales agents.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | 93 | B+ |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | 4 | B+ |
| 3 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS | 126 | B |
| 4 | University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY | 88 | B |
| 5 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | Stillwater, OK | 78 | B |
| 6 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | 67 | B |
| 7 | Washington State University | Pullman, WA | 56 | B |
| 8 | Miami University-Oxford | Oxford, OH | 24 | B |
| 9 | University of Wyoming | Laramie, WY | 21 | B |
| 10 | University of Louisville | Louisville, KY | 16 | B |
| 11 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN | 13 | B |
| 12 | Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 11 | B |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI | 1 | B |
| 14 | Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1 | B |
| 15 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | 1 | B |
| 16 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT | 125 | C+ |
| 17 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | 88 | C+ |
| 18 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | 83 | C+ |
| 19 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | Duluth, MN | 48 | C+ |
| 20 | Kent State University at Kent | Kent, OH | 33 | C+ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do advertising sales agents make?
The median annual salary for advertising sales agents is $61,460.
What education do advertising sales agents need?
Most advertising sales agents positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Selling Skills and Sales Operations.
Is becoming advertising sales agents a good career choice?
Advertising sales agents is projected to see -6.4% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 9,300 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for advertising sales agents?
Top colleges for aspiring advertising sales agents include
Purdue University-Main Campus, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to advertising sales agents?
Advertising sales agents may also be known as: Account Planner, Account Specialist, Advertising Account Representative, Advertising Agent, Advertising Assistant, Advertising Consultant, Advertising Coordinator, Advertising Representative, Advertising Sales Representative (Ad Sales Representative), Advertising Solicitor, Agent, Broker, Digital Advertising Sales Representative (Digital Advertising Sales Rep), Directory Advertising Sales Representative, Display Advertising Sales Representative, Field Marketing Representative, Field Service Representative, Graphic Art Sales Representative, Idea Man, Idea Worker.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.