Assistant media buyer vs media planner

The differences between assistant media buyers and media planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an assistant media buyer, becoming a media planner takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a media planner has an average salary of $58,044, which is higher than the $50,861 average annual salary of an assistant media buyer.

The top three skills for an assistant media buyer include buying process, media buying and media planning. The most important skills for a media planner are media planning, powerpoint, and campaign performance.

Assistant media buyer vs media planner overview

	Assistant Media Buyer	Media Planner
Yearly salary	$50,861	$58,044
Hourly rate	$24.45	$27.91
Growth rate	8%	8%
Number of jobs	18,308	24,126
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 94%	Bachelor's Degree, 89%
Average age	48	42
Years of experience	6	4

Assistant media buyer vs media planner salary

Assistant media buyers and media planners have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Assistant Media Buyer	Media Planner
Average salary	$50,861	$58,044
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $64,000	Between $48,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	RPA
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between assistant media buyer and media planner education

There are a few differences between an assistant media buyer and a media planner in terms of educational background:

	Assistant Media Buyer	Media Planner
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 94%	Bachelor's Degree, 89%
Most common major	Communication	Communication
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Northwestern University

Assistant media buyer vs media planner demographics

Here are the differences between assistant media buyers' and media planners' demographics:

	Assistant Media Buyer	Media Planner
Average age	48	42
Gender ratio	Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6%	Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.4% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	7%	12%

Differences between assistant media buyer and media planner duties and responsibilities

Assistant media buyer example responsibilities.

Manage team responsible for SEM, digital media, and campaign optimization.
Create PowerPoint presentations demonstrating which markets perform best, as measured by consumer ratings they achieve quarter-by-quarter.
Follow current trends on all SEO & SEM topics through research and networking.
Utilize SEO best practices to optimize internal web properties and mobile sites/apps.
Present creative media plans directly to clients, utilizing Donavan, PowerPoint, and other media software.
Research and analyze Nielsen ratings, demographics and programming trends to suit client objectives for each media plan.

Media planner example responsibilities.

Partner with programmatic buying team to manage DSP campaign and ensure tactics maintain maximum efficiency.
Lead monthly meetings with each AE to discuss key accounts and strategize for revenue growth.
Manage multiple inboxes handling numerous RFP inquiries from top tier clients while training new employees on processes.
Manage multiple million dollar budgets, budget analysis and reconciliations.
Manage MRI research system generating specific demographic information for media recommendations.
Experience with Comscore, Nielsen, Kantar & Mediamind.

Assistant media buyer vs media planner skills

Common assistant media buyer skills

Buying Process, 17%
Media Buying, 9%
Media Planning, 7%
TV Stations, 5%
Nielsen, 5%
Sales Reps, 5%

Common media planner skills

Media Planning, 11%
PowerPoint, 8%
Campaign Performance, 5%
MRI, 4%
Digital Marketing, 4%
Nielsen, 4%