Career comparison
Advertising Sales Agent vs. Marketing Manager
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Marketing managers earn more at the median ($166,790 vs. $64,820), while advertising sales agents usually get to work faster (1–6 months of training). Advertising sales agents sell advertising space and campaigns to businesses. Marketing managers plan campaigns and strategies that grow brands and bring in customers.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Advertising Sales Agent | Marketing Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,820 ($31.16/hr) | $166,790 ($80.19/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,240 – $146,010 | $90,260 – $293,610 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -7.2% (a projected decline) | +6.9% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 7,800 | 34,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 1–6 months | 4 years plus 5+ years of experience |
| Key credential | IAB Digital Media Sales certification | AMA Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) |
| Work setting | Agents work in offices, remotely and at client locations, with phone and video meetings.. | Marketing managers work in offices or remotely, with meetings, computer work and occasional travel to events.. |
What each job does
Advertising Sales Agent
- Prospect for advertising clients
- Learn client marketing goals
- Recommend media packages
- Prepare proposals and pricing
- Negotiate contracts
Marketing Manager
- Research markets, customers and competitors
- Develop marketing strategies and plans
- Plan and launch campaigns
- Manage budgets and agencies
- Lead marketing staff
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, creative work, desk work, and remote-friendly work. Both are part of the sales & retail field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose advertising sales agent if…
- I like marketing and advertising
- I enjoy sales
- I’m creative
Choose marketing manager if…
- I love creative ideas
- I like data and results
- I enjoy leading teams
Still torn? Take the Advertising Sales Agent fit quiz and the Marketing Manager fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, advertising sales agent or marketing manager?
Marketing Managers earn more at the median: $166,790 versus $64,820 for advertising sales agents, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Advertising Sales Agents typically train faster (1–6 months) than marketing managers (4 years plus 5+ years of experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects marketing managers to grow +6.9% from 2025–35, compared with -7.2% for advertising sales agents.