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Advertising account executive: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $35,240lowest 10% earn less
- $47,02025th percentile
- $64,820median
- $99,99075th percentile
- $146,010top 10% earn more
Advertising sales agents, the BLS category that includes advertising account executives[1], earned a median of $64,820 a year in May 2025[2]. Employment is projected to fall 7.2% by 2035[3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- -7.2%[3]
- Openings per year
- 7,800[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[7]
How much do advertising account executives make?
The BLS category is advertising sales agents. Its median wage was $64,820 a year, or $31.16 an hour[2]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $80,670 a year[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[5].
The spread is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,240, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $47,020[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $99,990, and the top 10% earned more than $146,010[4]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $16.94 and the 90th was $70.20[9]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].
The numbers cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and benefit costs[11]. About 91,700 people held these wage and salary jobs[12].
Pay by state and city
Washington had the highest state median at $101,320, followed by New York at $98,360 and Massachusetts at $80,500[13]. Tennessee had the lowest listed median, $40,910[13].
The most jobs were in New York (13,570), California (9,620) and Florida (6,420)[14]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara had the highest median at $113,250, followed by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue at $105,320[15]. The New York metro area had the most jobs, 13,210, with a median of $99,010[16].
Show median pay in 47 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Washington[13] | $101,320 | 3,510 |
| New York | $98,360 | 13,570 |
| Massachusetts | $80,500 | 1,480 |
| California | $80,360 | 9,620 |
| District of Columbia | $75,030 | 320 |
| Utah | $74,260 | 1,110 |
| Colorado | $73,420 | 1,110 |
| New Jersey | $69,620 | 2,110 |
| South Carolina | $68,200 | 1,770 |
| Illinois | $66,290 | 3,790 |
| Michigan | $64,800 | 2,040 |
| Wisconsin | $63,270 | 1,290 |
| Nebraska | $62,890 | 1,190 |
| Oregon | $62,810 | 960 |
| Minnesota | $62,660 | 1,750 |
| Arizona | $62,050 | 1,160 |
| Connecticut | $61,820 | 740 |
| Missouri | $61,440 | 1,640 |
| Hawaii | $61,290 | 310 |
| Texas | $60,280 | 6,230 |
| South Dakota | $60,190 | 390 |
| Maryland | $59,830 | 880 |
| Vermont | $58,750 | 160 |
| Iowa | $58,480 | 900 |
| Florida | $58,420 | 6,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,350 | 4,260 |
| Georgia | $58,140 | 3,150 |
| Oklahoma | $57,670 | 700 |
| Indiana | $57,030 | 1,410 |
| New Hampshire | $54,870 | 290 |
| Idaho | $53,460 | 220 |
| Delaware | $52,480 | 140 |
| Kentucky | $51,580 | 620 |
| Alabama | $50,870 | 910 |
| Ohio | $50,410 | 3,220 |
| North Dakota | $50,110 | 260 |
| Arkansas | $49,120 | 900 |
| Louisiana | $48,810 | 860 |
| Maine | $48,780 | 400 |
| Kansas | $48,660 | 920 |
| Rhode Island | $48,040 | 340 |
| Wyoming | $47,290 | 150 |
| Mississippi | $46,810 | 490 |
| Montana | $46,040 | 240 |
| New Mexico | $45,620 | 300 |
| West Virginia | $44,700 | 290 |
| Alaska | $43,840 | 230 |
| Tennessee | $40,910 | 1,820 |
How to become an advertising account executive
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the usual entry education, with no related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[7].
- First: Finish high school. Some employers prefer or require a college degree, and courses in marketing, communications, business and advertising can help[17].
- Next: Learn on the job. A new agent might work alongside an experienced agent who coaches them on sales calls, and some employers add formal training sessions[18].
- Then: Build a record. Agents with leadership experience and strong sales may move up to supervisory or managerial roles, or into other areas such as corporate sales[19].
Useful skills include persuasion, listening, customer service, initiative, rapport, organization and self-confidence[20][21][22][23][24][25].
What advertising sales agents do
O*NET describes the job as selling advertising space, time or media[26]. Typical tasks include:
- Explain to clients how types of advertising can promote their products[27].
- Give sales presentations to new and existing customers[27].
- Study a client's products, needs and advertising history[27].
- Give clients cost estimates[27].
- Keep current accounts and develop new ones[27].
- Find and contact potential clients[27].
- Draw up contracts and collect payments[27].
Where they work
The largest employer group in 2025 was advertising, public relations and related services, with 44% of these workers[28]. Agents may spend much of their time traveling to see prospective advertisers and keeping up with current clients[29]. Selling can be stressful, because income and job security depend on keeping and growing a client base, and companies generally set monthly quotas[30]. Most work full time[31]. In 2025, 7.7% were self-employed[32].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to fall 7.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 99,300 to 92,200 jobs[3]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[33]. These counts include the self-employed.
The listed factor is automation. Technology is increasingly handling ad buying and selling, which reduces the need for agents[34].
Even so, about 7,800 openings are projected each year[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.6% of workers leave the labor force and 6.2% move to a different occupation[35].
Is it a good fit?
The job has a low entry bar, with a high school diploma and on-the-job training[7]. Median pay sits above the all-occupations median, and the range is wide[2][5][4]. Quotas and income tied to the client base can add pressure[30]. Employment is projected to decline, though openings continue[3][6].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an advertising sales agent make an hour?
- The median was $31.16 an hour in May 2025[2]. The 10th percentile was $16.94 and the 90th was $70.20[9].
- What education do you need to be an advertising sales agent?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[7]. Some employers prefer a college degree[17].
- Is advertising sales a growing field?
- No. Employment is projected to decline 7.2% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[3][33].
- What is the highest paying state for advertising sales agents?
- Washington had the highest median, $101,320[13].
Facts and sources
- O*NET 41-3011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Advertising Account Executive, Advertising Account Representative, Advertising Consultant, Advertising Representative, Advertising Sales Representative (Ad Sales Representative), Directory Advertising Sales Representative (Directory Advertising Sales Rep), Display Advertising Sales Representative (Display Advertising Sales Rep), Media Consultant. O*NET OnLine
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Advertising Sales Agents in the US was $64,820 per year and $31.16 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Advertising Sales Agents is projected to decline 7.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 99,300 to 92,200 jobs (a change of -7,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Advertising Sales Agents: 10th percentile $35,240, 25th percentile $47,020, 75th percentile $99,990, 90th percentile $146,010. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 7,800 openings for Advertising Sales Agents are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Advertising Sales Agents: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Advertising Sales Agents was $80,670 per year and $38.79 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Advertising Sales Agents: 10th percentile $16.94, 25th percentile $22.61, 75th percentile $48.07, 90th percentile $70.20. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 91,700 people were employed as Advertising Sales Agents in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Advertising Sales Agents in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Advertising Sales Agents jobs: New York 13,570; California 9,620; Florida 6,420; Texas 6,230; Pennsylvania 4,260. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Advertising Sales Agents (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $113,250; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $105,320; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $99,010; Richmond, VA $95,680; Tulsa, OK $89,820; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $84,540; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $84,390; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $83,470. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Advertising Sales Agents jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 13,210 (median $99,010); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 5,230 (median $80,360); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,830 (median $75,590); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 2,770 (median $105,320); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,390 (median $61,150); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 2,200 (median $62,880). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Advertising Sales Agents. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Advertising Sales Agents. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of advertising sales agents in 2025: Advertising, public relations, and related services 44%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 7.7% of Advertising Sales Agents were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Advertising Sales Agents: Capital/labor substitution - share decreases as the ad buying and selling process is increasingly automated by technology, reducing the need for advertising sales agents. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Advertising Sales Agents: 2.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
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