What Advertising Sales Agents do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Advertising Sales Agents this way: "Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Prepare and deliver sales presentations to new and existing customers to sell new advertising programs and to protect and increase existing advertising"; "Explain to customers how specific types of advertising will help promote their products or services in the most effective way possible"; "Maintain assigned account bases while developing new accounts"; "Process all correspondence and paperwork related to accounts"; "Deliver advertising or illustration proofs to customers for approval".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Advertising Sales Agents
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 99,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 92,200 in 2035, a decrease of 7,100 jobs (-7.2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 7,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 7.7% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $64,820, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Advertising Sales Agents earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $94,261 in New Jersey to $96,261 in New York, a gap of $2,000 (1.02 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $64,820 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 15,230, which is 51.5% of the 29,590 counted across them. New York follows with 14,360.
Highest-paying states
New York ($96,261) and New Jersey ($94,261) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($94,261) and New York ($96,261) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Advertising Sales Agents
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (41-3000) include Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents, Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel and Insurance Sales Agents.
Frequently asked questions about Advertising Sales Agents
What is the national median wage for Advertising Sales Agents?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $64,820. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $94,261 to $96,261.
Which state pays Advertising Sales Agents the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $96,261. New Jersey is next at $94,261.
What is the job outlook for Advertising Sales Agents?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 7.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 7,800 openings a year.
What education do Advertising Sales Agents need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.