Advertising Sales Agent
Advertising sales agents sell promotional space to businesses and individuals.
What the job is
- The work
- Advertising sales agents sell promotional space to businesses and individuals.
BLS
Advertising Sales Agents — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Work environment
- Advertising sales agents work under pressure to meet sales quotas. They may travel to visit current and prospective clients. Most work full time.
BLS
Advertising Sales Agents — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- Confident people who can make cold calls, handle rejection and meet sales quotas.
- Career cluster
- Marketing & Sales
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (advertising sales agents).
- Median pay
- $64,820 a year ($31.16 an hour)
BLS
Advertising Sales Agents — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 99,300
- Typical entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Training after hire
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- −7%, which BLS calls "decline"
BLS
Advertising Sales Agents — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- −7,100 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- Advertising sales agents typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, although some employers require or prefer that candidates have a bachelor’s degree. Once hired, these workers typically receive training on the job. Sales and communication skills are essential.
BLS
Advertising Sales Agents — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- In short
- Advertising sales agents typically need at least a high school diploma; some employers require or prefer a bachelor's degree. Training is usually on the job, alongside an experienced agent.
- License
- None
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
-
StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
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- LouisianaState guide
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- MinnesotaState guide
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- New HampshireState guide
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- OhioState guide
- OklahomaState guide
- OregonState guide
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- Rhode IslandState guide
- South CarolinaState guide
- South DakotaState guide
- TennesseeState guide
- TexasState guide
- UtahState guide
- VermontState guide
- VirginiaState guide
- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Advertising sales agent: high school diploma or a degree, then training on the job
See the roadmap
Route 1: High school diploma → training alongside an experienced agent · Route 2: Agent → account executive or sales manager
More careers in Marketing & Sales
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 20 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.