Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.
Advertising Sales Agents
SOC: 41-3011 O*NET: 41-3011.00
Median Salary
$61,460
per year
Job Growth
📉 -6.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
9.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.
What does a Advertising Sales Agents do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$33,480
10th percentile
Early Career
$44,980
25th percentile
Median
$61,460
50th percentile
Experienced
$91,430
75th percentile
Top Earners
$133,540
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$33,480
25th
$44,980
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$61,460
Mean: $76,350
75th
$91,430
90th
$133,540
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $100,060 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $44,980 and $91,430
- •Salary spread is 75.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 97,470 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:103,700
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services52%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services52%
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services47.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-6.4%
Annual Openings:9,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)103,700
Current
2034 (Projected)97,100
-6.4%
-6,600
Employment Change
-6.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Advertising Sales Agents professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
New York
16,190 jobs$94,9902.68x
California
8,910 jobs$60,4700.78x
Florida
5,690 jobs$58,5900.92x
Illinois
5,330 jobs$66,3501.39x
Pennsylvania
4,000 jobs$49,5701.05x
Washington
3,130 jobs$75,2601.40x
Ohio
2,950 jobs$58,6500.84x
Georgia
2,860 jobs$46,4100.93x
Michigan
2,790 jobs$62,4201.01x
New Jersey
2,640 jobs$73,2600.98x
North Carolina
2,200 jobs$57,0500.71x
Virginia
2,090 jobs$52,2100.81x
Massachusetts
1,900 jobs$78,1200.82x
Tennessee
1,830 jobs$48,0800.89x
South Carolina
1,820 jobs$74,8401.27x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Persuasion
94%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#4
Service Orientation
80%
#5
Negotiation
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Writing
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Persuasion
advanced4.7
94%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.0
80%
Negotiation
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Persuasion
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Negotiation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Writing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products100%
5 shared skills
Bill and Account Collectors82%
5 shared skills
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products82%
5 shared skills
Fundraisers82%
5 shared skills
Insurance Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Labor Relations Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Service Orientation
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Advertising Sales Agents
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Google Analytics
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechCanva
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Google Analytics
Salesforce software
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Canva
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)General Responsibilities (13)Planning & Development (3)Training & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Prepare and deliver sales presentations to new and existing customers to sell new advertising programs and to protect and increase existing advertising.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Explain to customers how specific types of advertising will help promote their products or services in the most effective way possible.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Maintain assigned account bases while developing new accounts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Process all correspondence and paperwork related to accounts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Deliver advertising or illustration proofs to customers for approval.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Draw up contracts for advertising work, and collect payments due.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Locate and contact potential clients to offer advertising services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Provide clients with estimates of the costs of advertising products or services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Recommend appropriate sizes and formats for advertising, depending on medium used.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Inform customers of available options for advertisement artwork, and provide samples.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Advertising Sales Agents
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Advertising Sales Agents professionals typically have a ECA Holland code and highly value relationships
EEnterprising
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Advertising Sales Agents
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.52
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.51
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.47
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.45
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.38
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.37
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Initiative
4.5
Persistence
4.5
Integrity
4.5
Achievement/Effort
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Dependability
4.3
Independence
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Social Orientation
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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