Career comparison
Advertising Sales Agent vs. Public Relations Specialist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Public relations specialists earn more at the median ($74,750 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. Public relations specialists shape and protect the public image of organizations and people.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Advertising Sales Agent | Public Relations Specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,820 ($31.16/hr) | $74,750 ($35.94/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,240 – $146,010 | $44,110 – $135,150 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -7.2% (a projected decline) | +1.8% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 7,800 | 23,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 1–6 months | 4 years |
| Key credential | IAB Digital Media Sales certification | Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) |
| Work setting | Agents work in offices, remotely and at client locations, with phone and video meetings.. | PR specialists work in offices or remotely, with events and media appearances.. |
What each job does
Advertising Sales Agent
- Prospect for advertising clients
- Learn client marketing goals
- Recommend media packages
- Prepare proposals and pricing
- Negotiate contracts
Public Relations Specialist
- Write press releases and statements
- Pitch stories to journalists
- Manage social media and website content
- Prepare spokespeople for interviews
- Plan events and announcements
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, creative work, desk work, and remote-friendly work. They sit in different fields, sales & retail and arts, media & design, but share transferable skills such as persuasion and communication.
Which should you choose?
Choose advertising sales agent if…
- I like marketing and advertising
- I enjoy sales
- I’m creative
Choose public relations specialist if…
- I love writing
- I enjoy building relationships
- I stay calm in a crisis
Still torn? Take the Advertising Sales Agent fit quiz and the Public Relations Specialist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, advertising sales agent or public relations specialist?
Public Relations Specialists earn more at the median: $74,750 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 public relations specialists (4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects public relations specialists to grow +1.8% from 2025–35, compared with -7.2% for advertising sales agents.