Advertising Salesperson Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Those looking for entry-level advertising sales positions require only a high school diploma. However, for positions that involve meeting clients, employers prefer candidates who have a college degree.
Training and Education
Obtaining moderate-term on-the-job training will help job seekers. Advertising salespersons with four or more years of college are 56% of the total. An estimated 30% of workers attended college at some level but did not pursue a 4-year degree. High school was enough education for 14% of employees.
Job Overview
Sales agents in the field of advertising are responsible for selling or soliciting advertising for outdoor advertisers, websites, television and radio, and newspapers and periodicals.
Job Requirements
Employers look for candidates who have pleasant personalities and good communication skills. After being hired, an agent's ability to achieve desired results determines the kind of career the person will have. Since these sales professionals represent their companies, they are required to have a neat and well-groomed appearance. The ability to converse in more than one language is generally a very useful skill.
Advertising sales reps have to be self motivated, organized, and persistent professionals. They have to multi-task and be comfortable working unsupervised. They should also be creative enough to develop novel ways to reach out to clients and establish a personalized sales proposition.
Nature of Work
Most advertising representatives are employed in media firms such as publishers, cable program distributors, and television and radio broadcasters. Traditionally these professionals are responsible for either soliciting advertising from national level advertisers or dealing with local clients.
One of the important tasks of sales is to understand the products, existing and prospective customers, and target geographic areas of the client. They also keep themselves updated about the products of the competitors of their clients. Then the agents make proposals of campaigns along with sample advertisements and cost estimates. Since advertising is carried out across various media, agents inform their clients how different media, including the internet, could be used to achieve the desired result. After the agreement is signed, the salesperson continues as the intermediary between the media firm and the client.
Since the job of a sales agent involves achieving specified financial targets, professionals in this field have to deal effectively with the pressure of meeting their goals, and may work long and irregular hours to that end.
Area Job Conditions
Where are jobs most numerous? New York (New York), Williamsport (Pennsylvania), and Lincoln (Nebraska). Least common? Ogden (Utah), Wilmington (Delaware), and Lowell (Massachusetts).
Salaries vary across the country, from highest in Danbury (Connecticut), Vallejo (California), and Bridgeport (Connecticut) to lowest in Blacksburg (Virginia), Albany (Georgia), and Florence (South Carolina).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Whether by choice or necessity, 10% of advertising salespersons work part-time. About 6% of workers do not work for a company or organization.
Advertising Salespersons by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $52,000 | 560 | +2% |
| Decatur | $46,000 | 40 | -25% |
| Dothan | $40,000 | 80 | +37% |
| Florence | $34,000 | 30 | -42% |
| Huntsville | $44,000 | 110 | -51% |
| Mobile | $32,000 | 170 | -11% |
| Montgomery | $43,000 | 190 | +8% |
| Tuscaloosa | 70 | -25% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $46,000 | 180 | 0% |
| Fairbanks | $50,000 | 60 | +98% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $35,000 | 50 | -11% |
| Phoenix | $74,000 | 1,500 | -25% |
| Tucson | $71,000 | 250 | -34% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $44,000 | 360 | +62% |
| Fort Smith | $37,000 | 100 | -23% |
| Hot Springs | $43,000 | 50 | +45% |
| Jonesboro | $45,000 | 40 | -12% |
| Little Rock | $40,000 | 430 | +12% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $48,000 | 130 | -55% |
| Chico | $56,000 | 90 | +27% |
| Fresno | $48,000 | 270 | -24% |
| Los Angeles | $65,000 | 4,260 | -7% |
| Modesto | $54,000 | 70 | -58% |
| Oakland | $56,000 | 650 | -42% |
| Oxnard | $78,000 | 230 | -30% |
| Riverside | $56,000 | 720 | -47% |
| Sacramento | $55,000 | 650 | -33% |
| Salinas | $50,000 | 90 | -48% |
| San Diego | $57,000 | 1,230 | -17% |
| San Francisco | $69,000 | 1,950 | +74% |
| San Jose | $63,000 | 580 | -43% |
| San Luis Obispo | $54,000 | 70 | -27% |
| Santa Ana | $69,000 | 1,190 | -28% |
| Santa Barbara | $57,000 | 170 | -6% |
| Santa Cruz | $54,000 | 40 | -56% |
| Santa Rosa | $55,000 | 160 | -15% |
| Stockton | $42,000 | 90 | -61% |
| Vallejo | $63,000 | 90 | -29% |
| Visalia | $41,000 | 60 | -58% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $47,000 | 170 | +3% |
| Colorado Springs | $57,000 | 130 | -53% |
| Denver | $54,000 | 1,510 | +7% |
| Fort Collins | $49,000 | 140 | +5% |
| Grand Junction | $54,000 | 50 | -12% |
| Pueblo | $45,000 | 30 | -47% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $101,000 | 620 | +30% |
| Danbury | $67,000 | 100 | +45% |
| Hartford | $52,000 | 360 | -44% |
| New Haven | $50,000 | 180 | -40% |
| Norwich | $46,000 | 50 | -62% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $45,000 | 40 | -21% |
| Wilmington | $61,000 | 140 | -61% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $64,000 | 1,680 | -39% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $44,000 | 420 | +100% |
| Deltona | $43,000 | 200 | +21% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $48,000 | 1,230 | +57% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $41,000 | 100 | +28% |
| Gainesville | $42,000 | 170 | +32% |
| Jacksonville | $46,000 | 600 | -11% |
| Lakeland | $37,000 | 120 | -41% |
| Miami | $55,000 | 1,400 | +27% |
| Naples | $59,000 | 180 | +53% |
| Ocala | $47,000 | 130 | +43% |
| Orlando | $45,000 | 1,600 | +40% |
| Palm Bay | $36,000 | 180 | -16% |
| Panama City | $34,000 | 100 | +43% |
| Pensacola | $42,000 | 130 | -19% |
| Port St Lucie | $49,000 | 70 | -45% |
| Sarasota | $51,000 | 270 | 0% |
| Sebastian | $47,000 | 80 | +73% |
| Tallahassee | $44,000 | 220 | +27% |
| Tampa | $46,000 | 1,530 | +18% |
| West Palm Beach | $44,000 | 650 | +12% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $31,000 | 70 | +13% |
| Athens | $32,000 | 70 | -3% |
| Atlanta | $55,000 | 4,390 | +68% |
| Augusta | $37,000 | 180 | -20% |
| Columbus | $46,000 | 140 | +20% |
| Gainesville | $31,000 | 70 | -1% |
| Macon | $34,000 | 90 | -4% |
| Rome | $23,000 | 50 | +50% |
| Savannah | $34,000 | 200 | +25% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $49,000 | 300 | -39% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $51,000 | 300 | +4% |
| Coeur Dalene | $63,000 | 90 | +80% |
| Idaho Falls | $46,000 | 40 | -13% |
| Pocatello | $34,000 | 40 | +42% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $31,000 | 50 | -30% |
| Champaign | $60,000 | 110 | +3% |
| Chicago | $72,000 | 5,160 | +21% |
| Kankakee | $47,000 | 30 | -24% |
| Peoria | $36,000 | 380 | +106% |
| Rockford | $64,000 | 110 | -27% |
| Springfield | $64,000 | 110 | -3% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $53,000 | 40 | +10% |
| Bloomington | $52,000 | 80 | +13% |
| Elkhart | $48,000 | 80 | -30% |
| Evansville | $52,000 | 150 | -19% |
| Fort Wayne | $44,000 | 260 | +17% |
| Gary | $50,000 | 120 | -60% |
| Indianapolis | $52,000 | 970 | -4% |
| Lafayette | $47,000 | 70 | -9% |
| Muncie | $60,000 | 70 | +57% |
| South Bend | $47,000 | 110 | -20% |
| Terre Haute | $36,000 | 50 | -28% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $39,000 | 220 | +48% |
| Davenport | $37,000 | 210 | +4% |
| Des Moines | $87,000 | 350 | -4% |
| Dubuque | $39,000 | 40 | -24% |
| Iowa City | $31,000 | 80 | +11% |
| Sioux City | $34,000 | 90 | +21% |
| Waterloo | $47,000 | 150 | +69% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $31,000 | 90 | +114% |
| Topeka | $46,000 | 80 | -31% |
| Wichita | $44,000 | 240 | -25% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | $35,000 | 30 | -31% |
| Lexington | $40,000 | 310 | +17% |
| Louisville | $50,000 | 520 | -24% |
| Owensboro | $59,000 | 30 | -35% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $31,000 | 50 | -23% |
| Baton Rouge | $35,000 | 220 | -47% |
| Houma | $36,000 | 90 | -9% |
| Lafayette | $42,000 | 120 | -22% |
| Lake Charles | $32,000 | 90 | -2% |
| New Orleans | $41,000 | 460 | -22% |
| Shreveport | $32,000 | 160 | -18% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $50,000 | 50 | -19% |
| Portland | $48,000 | 350 | +60% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $73,000 | 1,010 | -32% |
| Bethesda | $50,000 | 440 | -32% |
| Hagerstown | $42,000 | 50 | -51% |
| Salisbury | $55,000 | 40 | -25% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $49,000 | 80 | -23% |
| Boston | $63,000 | 2,390 | +21% |
| Brockton | $35,000 | 120 | +28% |
| Framingham | $71,000 | 260 | +47% |
| Haverhill | $58,000 | 50 | -41% |
| Lowell | $69,000 | 30 | -76% |
| Peabody | $51,000 | 40 | -63% |
| Springfield | $64,000 | 160 | -52% |
| Worcester | $52,000 | 180 | -35% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $50,000 | 80 | -56% |
| Detroit | $49,000 | 440 | -42% |
| Flint | 40 | -71% | |
| Grand Rapids | $44,000 | 320 | -24% |
| Holland | $34,000 | 80 | -21% |
| Jackson | $25,000 | 30 | -37% |
| Kalamazoo | $48,000 | 70 | -52% |
| Lansing | $66,000 | 170 | -21% |
| Muskegon | $35,000 | 50 | -10% |
| Niles | $39,000 | 50 | -14% |
| Saginaw | $40,000 | 50 | -41% |
| Warren | $58,000 | 1,390 | +14% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $44,000 | 120 | -13% |
| Minneapolis | $53,000 | 1,980 | -2% |
| Rochester | $48,000 | 30 | -72% |
| St Cloud | $45,000 | 140 | +40% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $28,000 | 160 | +41% |
| Hattiesburg | $30,000 | 30 | -48% |
| Jackson | $45,000 | 240 | -14% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $37,000 | 180 | +315% |
| Columbia | $45,000 | 60 | -27% |
| Jefferson City | $45,000 | 60 | -21% |
| Joplin | $42,000 | 70 | -14% |
| Kansas City | $50,000 | 1,110 | -3% |
| Springfield | $42,000 | 220 | +6% |
| St Joseph | $38,000 | 50 | 0% |
| St Louis | $66,000 | 1,080 | -29% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $33,000 | 160 | +84% |
| Great Falls | $39,000 | 80 | +129% |
| Missoula | $41,000 | 90 | +74% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $40,000 | 190 | +10% |
| Omaha | $45,000 | 480 | -9% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $56,000 | 900 | -6% |
| Reno | $51,000 | 230 | +11% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $54,000 | 130 | +19% |
| Nashua | $58,000 | 110 | -25% |
| Portsmouth | $56,000 | 60 | +4% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $53,000 | 60 | -61% |
| Edison | $75,000 | 490 | -58% |
| Newark | $56,000 | 830 | -26% |
| Trenton | $72,000 | 190 | -24% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $49,000 | 270 | -37% |
| Las Cruces | $38,000 | 60 | -7% |
| Santa Fe | $48,000 | 150 | +140% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $51,000 | 560 | +11% |
| Binghamton | $35,000 | 130 | +9% |
| Buffalo | $50,000 | 400 | -36% |
| Glens Falls | $54,000 | 50 | -3% |
| Kingston | $53,000 | 40 | -34% |
| Nassau | $61,000 | 1,540 | +8% |
| New York | $71,000 | 20,550 | +248% |
| Poughkeepsie | $57,000 | 250 | -8% |
| Rochester | $54,000 | 520 | -8% |
| Syracuse | $46,000 | 250 | -28% |
| Utica | $37,000 | 80 | -40% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $34,000 | 230 | +20% |
| Charlotte | $62,000 | 1,150 | +19% |
| Durham | $49,000 | 260 | -15% |
| Fayetteville | $38,000 | 190 | +41% |
| Greensboro | $57,000 | 450 | +13% |
| Greenville | $42,000 | 40 | -42% |
| Hickory | $40,000 | 90 | -43% |
| Raleigh | $55,000 | 520 | -10% |
| Wilmington | $37,000 | 160 | +9% |
| Winston Salem | $53,000 | 240 | +4% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $42,000 | 190 | +46% |
| Grand Forks | $49,000 | 50 | +6% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $46,000 | 270 | -24% |
| Canton | $54,000 | 210 | +16% |
| Cincinnati | $49,000 | 1,010 | -12% |
| Cleveland | $43,000 | 1,050 | -9% |
| Columbus | $39,000 | 770 | -26% |
| Dayton | $51,000 | 280 | -34% |
| Lima | 60 | +16% | |
| Toledo | $45,000 | 310 | -5% |
| Youngstown | $47,000 | 130 | -48% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $40,000 | 690 | +6% |
| Tulsa | $48,000 | 340 | -29% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $51,000 | 120 | +88% |
| Eugene | $55,000 | 190 | +26% |
| Medford | $49,000 | 80 | +1% |
| Portland | $59,000 | 690 | -40% |
| Salem | $47,000 | 110 | -31% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $52,000 | 350 | -9% |
| Erie | $57,000 | 100 | -27% |
| Harrisburg | $48,000 | 270 | -24% |
| Johnstown | $46,000 | 40 | -29% |
| Lancaster | $54,000 | 380 | +47% |
| Philadelphia | $60,000 | 2,550 | +18% |
| Pittsburgh | $52,000 | 1,000 | -23% |
| Reading | $57,000 | 110 | -39% |
| Scranton | $51,000 | 290 | +1% |
| State College | $67,000 | 50 | -21% |
| Williamsport | $61,000 | 110 | +115% |
| York | $57,000 | 110 | -43% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $48,000 | 420 | -33% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $46,000 | 340 | +7% |
| Columbia | $43,000 | 350 | -10% |
| Florence | $29,000 | 90 | +10% |
| Greenville | $53,000 | 450 | +35% |
| Myrtle Beach | $46,000 | 70 | -39% |
| Spartanburg | $41,000 | 90 | -26% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $40,000 | 140 | +117% |
| Sioux Falls | $47,000 | 170 | +14% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $50,000 | 150 | -40% |
| Clarksville | $32,000 | 30 | -63% |
| Johnson City | $39,000 | 120 | +63% |
| Kingsport | $36,000 | 100 | -23% |
| Knoxville | $36,000 | 260 | -30% |
| Memphis | $36,000 | 220 | -68% |
| Morristown | $43,000 | 50 | +12% |
| Nashville | $49,000 | 440 | -47% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $56,000 | 50 | -22% |
| Amarillo | $31,000 | 60 | -47% |
| Austin | $48,000 | 780 | -12% |
| Beaumont | $30,000 | 140 | -20% |
| Brownsville | $39,000 | 70 | -50% |
| College Station | $37,000 | 50 | -48% |
| Corpus Christi | $34,000 | 100 | -48% |
| Dallas | $56,000 | 2,540 | +7% |
| El Paso | $54,000 | 270 | -10% |
| Fort Worth | $44,000 | 860 | -12% |
| Houston | $72,000 | 1,650 | -45% |
| Killeen | $30,000 | 50 | -64% |
| Longview | $37,000 | 120 | +20% |
| Lubbock | $41,000 | 110 | -18% |
| Mcallen | $52,000 | 150 | -40% |
| Midland | $68,000 | 40 | -37% |
| Odessa | $38,000 | 70 | +24% |
| San Antonio | $38,000 | 480 | -51% |
| Sherman | $32,000 | 30 | -25% |
| Tyler | $48,000 | 80 | -15% |
| Waco | $41,000 | 80 | -24% |
| Wichita Falls | $38,000 | 50 | -9% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $39,000 | 30 | -35% |
| Ogden | $52,000 | 130 | -40% |
| Provo | $43,000 | 120 | -35% |
| Salt Lake City | $50,000 | 970 | +42% |
| St George | $49,000 | 80 | +79% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $45,000 | 160 | +36% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $27,000 | 40 | -35% |
| Charlottesville | $39,000 | 100 | +12% |
| Lynchburg | $35,000 | 50 | -52% |
| Richmond | $62,000 | 510 | -26% |
| Roanoke | $44,000 | 160 | -5% |
| Virginia Beach | $48,000 | 490 | -43% |
| Winchester | $40,000 | 30 | -39% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $54,000 | 50 | -34% |
| Bremerton | $36,000 | 100 | +17% |
| Kennewick | $34,000 | 100 | -5% |
| Olympia | $38,000 | 110 | +6% |
| Seattle | $60,000 | 1,840 | +16% |
| Spokane | $55,000 | 250 | +12% |
| Tacoma | $43,000 | 170 | -42% |
| Wenatchee | $37,000 | 50 | +34% |
| Yakima | $43,000 | 50 | -42% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $52,000 | 140 | -10% |
| Huntington | $43,000 | 70 | -42% |
| Parkersburg | $41,000 | 50 | -28% |
| Wheeling | $36,000 | 60 | -9% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $46,000 | 120 | -1% |
| Eau Claire | $36,000 | 60 | -21% |
| Green Bay | $45,000 | 200 | +10% |
| La Crosse | $47,000 | 60 | -18% |
| Madison | $45,000 | 390 | +4% |
| Milwaukee | $50,000 | 810 | -14% |
| Sheboygan | $59,000 | 30 | -46% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $38,000 | 30 | -27% |