Advertising Sales Agent: Job Description, Pay & Outlook

What does an advertising sales agent do?

Advertising sales agents sell advertising across digital, TV, radio, print and outdoor media, helping businesses reach customers and managing client accounts. The median pay is $64,820 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–6 months, and employment is projected to grow -7.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$64,820
$31.16/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-7.2%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
7,800
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
1–6 months
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
99,300
Employment, 2025

What advertising sales agents do

Advertising sales agents sell ad space and campaigns. They find businesses that want to reach customers, learn their goals, recommend media packages, prepare proposals, negotiate rates, coordinate ad production and report results. They work for media companies, digital platforms, publishers and agencies.

Many agents have high school diplomas and learn on the job; some have degrees in marketing or communications. Employment is declining overall as advertising shifts to automated digital buying, so digital skills are increasingly important.

Typical duties

Prospect for advertising clients
Learn client marketing goals
Recommend media packages
Prepare proposals and pricing
Negotiate contracts
Coordinate ad creative and scheduling
Report results and renew accounts

Work environment and schedule

Agents work in offices, remotely and at client locations, with phone and video meetings.

Schedule: Most work full-time with flexible hours and month-end deadlines.

A day in the life

8:30 AMReview campaign performance for active clients.
9:30 AMCall local businesses about a summer promotion.
11:00 AMMeet a car dealer to propose a digital and radio package.
1:00 PMPrepare a proposal with audience data.

See a full day in the life of an advertising sales agent →

Advertising Sales Agent salary

Half of advertising sales agents earned more than $64,820 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,240 for the lowest 10% to $146,010 for the top 10%.

$35,24010th$64,820Median$146,01090th

Full advertising sales agent pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an advertising sales agent

Build sales skills
Learn media and marketing
Get hired by a media company
Add digital skills
Advance

A high school diploma is typical; degrees in marketing or communications help. Training is on the job.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an advertising sales agent →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Media planning
Audience data
Proposal writing
Negotiation
Digital advertising

People skills

Persuasion
Communication
Creativity
Persistence

All advertising sales agent skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Commission earning potential
Creative industry
Variety of clients
Remote options

Cons

Declining employment in traditional media
Sales quotas
Rejection
Income can vary

Certifications and licenses

IAB Digital Media Sales certification: Interactive Advertising Bureau credential.
Google Ads certifications: Digital advertising credentials.
Meta Certified Media Buying: Social advertising credential.
Radio or TV sales training: Industry sales programs.

Career path

Ad Sales Assistant: Support sales reps.
Advertising Sales Agent: Sell ad packages.
Senior Account Executive: Manage major accounts.
Sales Manager: Lead ad sales teams.

Learn the job before day one

Our Advertising Sales Agent training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as build an advertising proposal and calculate CPM, safety and how to land your first job.

View Advertising Sales Agent training Is this career right for me?

Marketing Manager

Plan campaigns and strategies that grow brands and bring in customers.

$166,790
4 years plus 5+ years of experience

Digital Marketing Specialist

Grow businesses online with search, ads, social media, email and analytics.

$78,760
6 months to 4 years

Account Executive

Sell services and software to businesses and grow client accounts.

$69,990
1–6 months

Public Relations Specialist

Shape and protect the public image of organizations and people.

$74,750
4 years

Compare: Advertising Sales Agent vs. Marketing Manager · Advertising Sales Agent vs. Digital Marketing Specialist · Advertising Sales Agent vs. Account Executive · Advertising Sales Agent vs. PR Specialist

Advertising Sales Agent FAQ

Is advertising sales declining?

Traditional media sales are declining, while digital skills remain valuable.

Do ad sales agents need a degree?

Not always.

How are they paid?

Often salary plus commission.

How much does an advertising sales agent make?

The median annual wage for advertising sales agents was $64,820 ($31.16 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,240 and the highest 10% earned more than $146,010.

How long does it take to become an advertising sales agent?

Most people need about 1–6 months of training. A high school diploma is typical; degrees in marketing or communications help. Training is on the job.

Do you need a degree to be an advertising sales agent?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More advertising sales agent questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 41-3011 (Advertising sales agents).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Advertising sales agents (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Advertising Sales Agent