CFChooseField
Sales

Advertising Sales Agents

Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Advertising Sales Agents
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Median pay

$61,460
Median annual pay for Advertising Sales Agents.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-6.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

9,300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

103,700
Estimated U.S. employment for Advertising Sales Agents in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-6,600
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Writing
  6. 6Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Sales and Marketing
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Communications and Media
  5. 5Mathematics
  6. 6Administrative

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Speech Clarity
  3. 3Oral Comprehension
  4. 4Speech Recognition
  5. 5Written Comprehension
  6. 6Written Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Enterprising
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Artistic
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Social Orientation
  2. 2Perseverance
  3. 3Achievement Orientation
  4. 4Self-Confidence
  5. 5Optimism
  6. 6Dependability

Work activities

  1. 1Selling or Influencing Others
  2. 2Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  3. 3Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  4. 4Thinking Creatively
  5. 5Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  6. 6Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Obtain and study information about clients' products, needs, problems, advertising history, and business practices to offer effective sales presentations and appropriate product assistance.
  • Prepare promotional plans, sales literature, media kits, and sales contracts, using computer.
  • Process all correspondence and paperwork related to accounts.

Software and tools

Adobe Creative Cloud software · in demandSalesforce software · in demandAdobe InDesign · in demandAdobe Photoshop · in demandCanva · in demandMicrosoft Word · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft Access · hot technologyFacebook · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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