How much does a advertising sales agent make?
The median advertising sales agent in the United States earns $64,820 per year, about $31.16 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all advertising sales agents earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 41-3011.
Advertising sales agent salary range
Pay for advertising sales agents spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,240 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $146,010. The average (mean) wage of $80,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,240 | $16.94 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,020 | $22.61 | |
| Median (50th) | $64,820 | $31.16 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $99,990 | $48.07 | |
| 90th percentile | $146,010 | $70.20 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for advertising sales agents (SOC 41-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Advertising sales agent salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Advertising sales agents earn the most in Washington at $101,320 a year, and the least in Tennessee at $40,910. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,320 | 3,510 |
| New York | $98,360 | 13,570 |
| Massachusetts | $80,500 | 1,480 |
| California | $80,360 | 9,620 |
| District of Columbia | $75,030 | 320 |
| Utah | $74,260 | 1,110 |
| Colorado | $73,420 | 1,110 |
| New Jersey | $69,620 | 2,110 |
| South Carolina | $68,200 | 1,770 |
| Illinois | $66,290 | 3,790 |
| Michigan | $64,800 | 2,040 |
| Wisconsin | $63,270 | 1,290 |
| Nebraska | $62,890 | 1,190 |
| Oregon | $62,810 | 960 |
| Minnesota | $62,660 | 1,750 |
| Arizona | $62,050 | 1,160 |
| Connecticut | $61,820 | 740 |
| Missouri | $61,440 | 1,640 |
| Hawaii | $61,290 | 310 |
| Texas | $60,280 | 6,230 |
| South Dakota | $60,190 | 390 |
| Maryland | $59,830 | 880 |
| Vermont | $58,750 | 160 |
| Iowa | $58,480 | 900 |
| Florida | $58,420 | 6,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,350 | 4,260 |
| Georgia | $58,140 | 3,150 |
| Oklahoma | $57,670 | 700 |
| Indiana | $57,030 | 1,410 |
| New Hampshire | $54,870 | 290 |
| Idaho | $53,460 | 220 |
| Delaware | $52,480 | 140 |
| Kentucky | $51,580 | 620 |
| Alabama | $50,870 | 910 |
| Ohio | $50,410 | 3,220 |
| North Dakota | $50,110 | 260 |
| Arkansas | $49,120 | 900 |
| Louisiana | $48,810 | 860 |
| Maine | $48,780 | 400 |
| Kansas | $48,660 | 920 |
| Rhode Island | $48,040 | 340 |
| Wyoming | $47,290 | 150 |
| Mississippi | $46,810 | 490 |
| Montana | $46,040 | 240 |
| New Mexico | $45,620 | 300 |
| West Virginia | $44,700 | 290 |
| Alaska | $43,840 | 230 |
| Tennessee | $40,910 | 1,820 |
State median wages for advertising sales agents (SOC 41-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for advertising sales agents
The BLS projects employment of advertising sales agents to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 7.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 99,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 92,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,800 openings a year for advertising sales agents. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an advertising sales agent
The typical entry-level education for advertising sales agents is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an advertising sales agent earns
Commission structure, product, employer, and territory drive a wide pay spread. Top performers in high ticket sales earn far above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $101,320) and the lowest (Tennessee, $40,910) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 91,700 people work as advertising sales agents in the United States. At $64,820 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Advertising sales agent salary FAQ
How much does an advertising sales agent make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an advertising sales agent is $31.16. The middle half of advertising sales agents earn between $22.61 and $48.07 per hour.
What is the highest advertising sales agent salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of advertising sales agents earn more than $146,010 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an advertising sales agent make a year?
The median annual salary for an advertising sales agent is $64,820. The average (mean) wage of $80,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an advertising sales agent a well paid job?
At $64,820 a year, an advertising sales agent earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 91,700 people work as advertising sales agents in the United States.
Which state pays advertising sales agents the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for advertising sales agents at $101,320 a year. New York ($98,360) and Massachusetts ($80,500) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an advertising sales agent a good career?
Employment of advertising sales agents is projected to shrink 7.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an advertising sales agent?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for advertising sales agents as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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