Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
About this role
Advertising Sales Agent is a professional role within the function in the Sales job family.
The Sales function covers building customer relationships, managing pipeline, and closing revenue.
Typical entry preparation: Bachelor's Degree and up to 2 years of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
Prepare and deliver sales presentations to new and existing customers to sell new advertising programs and to protect and increase existing advertising.
Maintain assigned account bases while developing new accounts.
Provide clients with estimates of the costs of advertising products or services.
Locate and contact potential clients to offer advertising services.
Explain to customers how specific types of advertising will help promote their products or services in the most effective way possible.
Top skills:SpeakingPersuasionSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationNegotiationActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Advertising Sales Agent pay by experience level
Entry level$36,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$48,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$67,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$103,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$151,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-6.4%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
9,300
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Advertising Sales Agent salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
48,190 workers
$85,000
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
43,870 workers
$84,000
Broadcasting and Content Providers
18,280 workers
$87,500
Publishing Industries
15,080 workers
$66,500
Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers
14,720 workers
$66,000
Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations
11,390 workers
$76,000
Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, & Other Media Networks & Content Providers
6,880 workers
$107,000
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
3,280 workers
$90,500
Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services
2,890 workers
$115,500
Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services
2,890 workers
$115,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Prepare and deliver sales presentations to new and existing customers to sell new advertising programs and to protect and increase existing advertising.
Maintain assigned account bases while developing new accounts.
Provide clients with estimates of the costs of advertising products or services.
Locate and contact potential clients to offer advertising services.
Explain to customers how specific types of advertising will help promote their products or services in the most effective way possible.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Non-exempt · Service, trades, or production work
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay under FLSA rules. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Advertising Sales Agent pays 27% below the average across 933 roles in the Sales job family (family average $114,000).
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Advertising Sales Agent make?
The average base salary for a Advertising Sales Agent in the United States is $83,500 per year, or about $40.14 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $48,500 and $103,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Sales roles?
The Sales job family averages $114,000 across 933 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Advertising Sales Agent pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
