Advertising Sales Agents
Advertising sales agents sell promotional space to businesses and individuals.
Is advertising sales agents a good career?
It scores 13/100 and ranks #607 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays above the U.S. median wage ($64,820)
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Employment is projected to decline (-6.4% through 2034)
What advertising sales agents earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. advertising sales agents earn between $47,020 and $99,990 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live advertising sales agents jobs
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- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
A high school diploma is typically required for entry-level advertising sales positions. However, some employers prefer or require a college degree. Courses in marketing, communications, business, and advertising are helpful.
Training
Advertising sales agents usually receive training on the job. For example, a newly hired sales agent might work alongside an experienced sales agent who coaches and observes them as they make sales calls and contact clients. Employers also may provide formal training sessions, such as for agents who sell to a specialized market segment.
Advancement
Agents with leadership experience and a strong sales record may advance to supervisory and managerial positions, such as sales manager, account executive, and vice president of sales. Successful advertising sales agents also may advance to positions in other areas, such as corporate sales.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Advertising sales agents must be persuasive during sales calls. In addition, they should listen to the client’s desires and concerns so they are able to recommend an appropriate advertising package.
Customer-service skills. Advertising sales agents must be responsive to clients’ needs and concerns.
Initiative. Advertising sales agents must actively seek new clients, keep in touch with current clients, and expand their client base, in order to meet sales quotas.
Interpersonal skills. Advertising sales agents must be able to establish a good rapport with both prospective and existing clients.
Organizational skills. Agents work with many clients, each of whom may be at a different stage in the sales process. Agents must be well organized to keep track of their clients and potential clients.
Self-confidence. Advertising sales agents should be confident when calling potential clients (making cold calls). Because potential clients are often unwilling to commit on a first call, agents frequently must continue making sales calls, even if rejected at first.
Related occupations
How much do advertising sales agents make?
The national median wage is $64,820 a year, with the middle half earning between $47,020 and $99,990 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is advertising sales agents a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 13 of 100 and ranks #607 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -6.4% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a advertising sales agent?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do advertising sales agents earn the most?
Among states, Washington pays the highest median ($101,320). Local pay for every state and metro is below.