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Job outlook for digital media assistants in the United States
Digital media assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected digital media assistant job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 22,300 new jobs for digital media assistants are projected over the next decade.
Digital media assistant salaries have increased 8% for digital media assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 17,439 digital media assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 25,678 active digital media assistant job openings in the US.
The average digital media assistant salary is $40,528.
Are digital media assistant jobs in demand?
Digital media assistant job and salary trends over time
Digital media assistant jobs over time
Digital media assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,439 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 17,555 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 17,576 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 17,161 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 16,781 | 0.01% |
Average digital media assistant salary over time
Digital media assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,528 | $19.48 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $39,457 | $18.97 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $38,715 | $18.61 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $38,263 | $18.40 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $37,437 | $18.00 | +2.2% |
Digital media assistant jobs by state
Most common states for digital media assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 162 | 23% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 74 | 12% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 107 | 11% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 93 | 9% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 575 | 8% |
| 6 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 234 | 8% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 59 | 8% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 47 | 8% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 92 | 7% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 69 | 7% |
| 11 | Alaska | 739,795 | 51 | 7% |
| 12 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,230 | 6% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 765 | 6% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 353 | 6% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 339 | 6% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 239 | 6% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 113 | 6% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 108 | 6% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 76 | 6% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 52 | 6% |
Digital Media Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of digital media assistant experts
University of North Texas
Duquesne University
Dominican University of California
Marian University
University of Minnesota
American University
University of Cincinnati
Kansas State University
California Baptist University
Cedar Crest College
California Lutheran University
Andrews University
West Virginia State University
Iowa State University
Temple University
Heidelberg University
WorldatWork
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Brittany McElroy
Senior LecturerUniversity of North Texas
Mayborn School of Journalism
What skills stand out on Digital Media Assistant resumes?
Brittany McElroy: The most important thing is to be able to do everything. The days of super-specialized jobs where you could learn to do just one or two things are gone. A diverse skill set is so important. The second thing I would say students graduating and wanting to work in any kind of media need is a really good understanding of audiences. There is so much competition for people's attention that you will not be successful if you don't identify your niche, understand how to capture its attention, and keep it.
What soft skills should all Digital Media Assistants possess?
Brittany McElroy: As far as soft skills go, they are the same skills they've always been- good networking and communication skills. Understand that while a lot can get done in a digital space, a face-to-face connection (even if that is on zoom) can go a lot farther than an email. Some of our recent grads hate having to pick up the phone and make an actual call. They are much more comfortable with text or email, but they need to push themselves out of their comfort zone to connect with people. While I think younger generations have a lot of new skills and perspectives that can be so valuable to potential employers, those old-fashioned networking skills still go a long way.
What skills stand out on Digital Media Assistant resumes?
Dr. Mike Dillon: Evidence (courses, internships, other experience) that demonstrates competence in communicating with a wide array of audiences across multiple platforms. Our journalism program, for instance, is multiplatform: students learn to write, edit, shoot video, create podcasts, adapt stories to fit the requirements of multiple platforms, etc. Basically, we want to send students out of here like Swiss Army Knives -- able to work in their area of proficiency, be that writing or videography, but also adept with a wide variety of other competencies.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Digital Media Assistants?
Dr. Mike Dillon: Media is about storytelling -- whether it's an ad, a social media campaign, a magazine story, etc. Being able to use the tools of your trade, whatever they may be -- algorithms, editing suites, etc. The most important skill, though, is understanding the essence of those tools -- what is they are intended to accomplish. If you understand that, you can easily adapt when tools change -- which they frequently do.
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Communications, Coordinator, Online Learning and Development, Chair of the Communications and Media Studies DepartmentDominican University of California
Communication and Media Studies
What skills stand out on Digital Media Assistant resumes?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: Experience: internships, co-curricular and extra-curricular projects, and any jobs held while in college. Those jobs may not be directly related to a media coordinator job description but could have other benefits like the team environment at a restaurant.
What soft skills should all Digital Media Assistants possess?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: Working well with others, time management, and the ability to teach and supervise others.
What skills will help Digital Media Assistants earn the most?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: The hard skills (audio and video) usually get you the job, but the soft skills allow you to keep it and grow!
The Rev. Dr. George LaMaster
Associate ProfessorMarian University
What soft skills should all Digital Media Assistants possess?
The Rev. Dr. George LaMaster: I prefer "leadership skills" to "soft skills." One of the most common answers here is "communication skills," which can mean many different things. Often, whether they know it or not, the most critical leadership skill is emotional intelligence: an awareness of self and others. Related skills include listening and conflict transformation.
What's a good job out of college for Digital Media Assistants?
Zhirong Zhao Ph.D.: Many of our students aim for a career in public or nonprofit organizations to address issues of social inequality and power imbalance. These are great jobs that align well with the skill sets of our students and their future career goals.
What technical skills for a Digital Media Assistant stand out to employers?
Erica Bondarev Rapach: Digital, digital, digital. Arts and entertainment organizations have become digital media organizations during the pandemic and so technical skills in social media marketing, website development and maintenance, search engine optimization, video, audio, post-production, and live streaming are standouts. And I am not even certain that's an exhaustive list!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Digital Media Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Jeffrey Layne Blevins Ph.D.: Well, if there is a silver-lining with the pandemic for journalism is that we're discovering how much journalistic work can be done remotely when there are no other safe alternatives. For paid interns, free lancers and other part-timers this means more opportunities for paid work from home, especially for people with design and media production skills. Journalistic work never stops because the news never stops, and journalists have to be able to adapt. The kind of things that have been fundamental to journalism -- like always do an interview in person -- have been completely reshaped by what technology allows us to do remotely. Journalists with media production skills are best positioned in the current environment to adapt and work independently.
What will help Digital Media Assistants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Tom Hallaq: Media professionals who are adaptable and willing to learn new skills will be in a better position to increase their earnings. Content creation is what is needed. Today's technology allows for information to be communicated in a wide variety of formats, from legacy media such as television and radio, to newer technologies including social media and others. Workers who understand how to reach specific audiences through various media platforms will be most successful as will those who are willing to put in the time required to meet an employer's or client's needs.
In addition to familiarity with various media platforms comes the need for understanding the analytics and data accessible through these digital media. Through these analytics, companies and individuals can better understand their audiences, build stronger brand awareness, increase return on investment, and increase profits - all valuable tools in a competitive marketplace.
What's a day at work look like for a Digital Media Assistant?
Dr. Tom Hallaq: So many changes have been made on a temporary basis during the pandemic. While there is recognition that some of these alterations will stick, it is too early to tell which ones will and which ones won't. However, I believe that more employees will have options to work remotely, whether that be from their own homes or from communal office spaces away from the company headquarters.
With more remote work comes increased flexibility in work schedules. More employees will likely be able to adjust their workday to fit their personal preferences, leaving increased internal motivation to the individual employee. This new approach will come with its own set of challenges for management but could mean decreased control over subordinates and increased difficulty in employee evaluations - for better or worse.
What experience really stands out on Digital Media Assistant resumes?
MaryAnn Pearson: Resumes that include work with student publications (newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks) and links to published articles stand out. Students who have participated in internships also stand out as they show experience.
What experience really stands out on Digital Media Assistant resumes?
Dr. Jill Purdy: "This is partially answered previously. I think students found time to be more self-reliant and independent. Hopefully, not to a fault as they move into their careers.
On resumes, we may see more of the soft skills described. It may sound counterintuitive, but I think a different kind of interpersonal skill was developed. On a Zoom call, what do we have but people and we have to figure out how to get our message across, collaborate, debate, and communicate effectively without extraneous factors. "
What type of skills will young Digital Media Assistants need?
Dr. Jill Purdy: One skill that these students have gained is the use of technology to learn and study. They were forced into it. I am sure these skills will be transferred to the workplace. Successful graduates will have time management, organizational, and self-regulation skills, which were essential to achieve during this pandemic.
One example, in my field of teacher education, is with pre-service teachers. The teachers needed to learn to teach and communicate fully online to elementary students. They were utilizing communication methods that they didn't know they had to engage young learners.
I don't think we have fully realized all the skills these students have learned during this time.
What type of skills will young Digital Media Assistants need?
Dr. Gerhard Apfelthaler Ph.D.: The pandemic's one good thing is that recent graduates will have learned to be flexible, agile, and resilient. These are skill sets that will remain invaluable for companies in the future. Companies will need graduates who are creative problem-solvers and excellent communicators. But it's undoubtedly also crucial that everyone develops strong skillsets around data, which is the most important currency of the economy these days.
What general advice would you give to a Digital Media Assistant?
Kimberly Pichot: If connections were meaningful before, now they are more than crucial. Find ways to connect with marketing professionals, join the American Marketing Association, and join a local chapter. Take the time to build a strong portfolio, develop your brand, and stay out there, no matter how hard it is. And consider starting a side hustle that utilizes your most treasured part of marketing - starting and running a small business while you job hunt will give you some extra skills and push you to new levels.
What Digital Media Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kimberly Pichot: If a graduate chooses to take a gap year, I recommend that they still take on activities to help them develop more skills. Find a nonprofit to volunteer and ask them if they could use your skills. Treat it as an internship or a job and find ways to hone your skills. Some skills marketing majors can focus on including social media content and campaign planning and delivery, digital marketing, and measurement. Build your portfolio with quantifiable results. Whether volunteering for one organization or several short stints in different organizations, engage in activities that will enhance your portfolio and demonstrate to future employers that you are growing.
Dr. Ali Ziyati Ph.D
ProfessorWest Virginia State University
Department of Communications & Media Studies
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Digital Media Assistants?
Dr. Ali Ziyati Ph.D: Graduates are also citizens of the world. This is a global pandemic, and we are all in it. Given the political economy of the coronavirus, many organizations are going through tough times. There will be fewer job opportunities for all graduates. The field of communication, on the other hand, maybe an exception. We learned it the hard way. We had to stay home, work, teach, and learn remotely. We filled our long days with entertainment, games, etc. We shared moments with family and loved ones virtually. The opportunities for internet-based media are endless. The essential item I retain from this experience is that media and communication technologies are central and our graduates.
What type of skills will young Digital Media Assistants need?
Dr. Ali Ziyati Ph.D: Media and technology literacy is of utmost importance. In communication and media studies at West Virginia State University, we do everything we can to provide our graduates with media literacy skills: video, audio, film, public relations, graphic design, etc. In general, graduates have to be excellent in computer and internet-based communication in terms of production and media content distribution. Specific skills include, but are not limited to, graphic design, editing, writing, research, and data analysis.
What experience really stands out on Digital Media Assistant resumes?
Dr. Ali Ziyati Ph.D: The nature of practical experiences and where they took place always stand out in any resume. I would pay close attention to the academic aspect and align with those practical experiences to see the level of the candidate's planning, performance, and dedication to his/her dream job.
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, ISU English Undergraduate Studies; Director, ISU Studio for New MediaIowa State University
Department of English
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Digital Media Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.: Today, my students are quite experienced with precarity, a word that's become popular this year (which refers to environments dominated by precarious conditions). This means that many are well-suited to changing circumstances and varying methods of working on teams. Though the high unemployment rate in the US-led to reduced job listings last summer, employers have told me that they've been very impressed with the students they do hire. Many established workers have little experience with different ways to manage distance collaboration. Still, full-time students graduating this December will have had at least 10-12 courses, and those graduating next May will have had at least 15-18 courses taught online (or mostly online). This means new graduates will have had more diverse experiences with collaboration in remote teams under different professors/supervisors, which will allow them to see an extensive range of leadership styles and techniques to manage people working together at a distance. Distance collaboration is here to stay, and today's students will have superior skills and diverse experience working in such environments.
What skills stand out on Digital Media Assistant resumes?
David T. Z. Mindich Ph.D.: At Temple Journalism, we emphasize skills and practices that stand out on resumes. First, we send students out onto the streets of Philadelphia, the nation's fourth-largest media market, to report on a range of important, urban-related issues, from housing to wealth inequality to systemic racism to the pandemic to gentrification to education and beyond. Second, we teach storytelling across media platforms. Even though we are in a pandemic, students continue to report on pressing issues (while practicing safe distancing). When they graduate, they will have an important body of work to present.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Digital Media Assistants to find work opportunities?
David T. Z. Mindich Ph.D.: There are two kinds of advice for young journalists. Some suggest that graduates go to small markets and make a name for themselves. Others say that larger communities, like cities, offer more high profile work. Both strategies can be successful as long as the journalist works hard and strives for excellence.
Nathan Cutietta
Director of the Gaming, Esports & Media, Assistant Professor of Communication and MediaHeidelberg University
Communication & Media Department
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Digital Media Assistants to find work opportunities?
Nathan Cutietta: The job market in Texas seems to be booming in the United States. To be successful, a graduate should be willing to go where the opportunity is. Sometimes the places with the worst economic problems have the most effective options for someone with a specialized skill, since no one wants to live there.
What general advice would you give to a Digital Media Assistant?
Steve Boddy: Graduates should expect fewer full-time employment opportunities. In some cases these opportunities will be accompanied by enhanced well-being benefits but lower salaries. There may be more contract and seasonal opportunities in the short term, which typically will not offer highly valued benefits like health insurance, retirement, and paid time off.
Full-time employment opportunities and competitive hiring wages are expected in high growth industries like technology, health care, logistics and distribution, and other essential jobs. These are most often accompanied with full benefits, which most recently has included increased offerings in well-being, remote work opportunities, and flexible schedules. However, most other organizations will offer fewer full time employment opportunities and potentially lower wages in job offers (due to supply of jobs and abundance of grads). Other reasons for downward pressure on salaries may include the graduates willingness to accept lower rates in favor of the option to work from home or desired geography. Lastly, more college grads are taking seasonal/contract roles, and may miss out on critical benefit offerings that are reserved for employees only (which often account for ~25 - 35% of their total rewards package).
So why does it matter? In all likelihood, new graduates may not start on the career path they envisioned for themselves, and will likely see slower wage growth over time. According to the WorldatWork 2020-2021 Salary Budget Survey released in August of this year, "The national total salary budget increase average fell this year - dropping to 2.9% - notably sudden, and somewhat expected, due to economic uncertainty. This decline represents a pronounced departure from the anticipated increase to 3.3% projected for 2020 a year ago." This is a tough time to be entering the workforce. The key is to be flexible in their job search. Graduates may have to sacrifice some benefits like healthcare and retirement in order to get "their foot in the door." The current reality is new college graduates are facing the worst job market in over a decade with more competition and lower salaries.
Jacqui Lowman Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Maine at Presque Isle
College of Arts and Sciences, English, Professional Communication
What Digital Media Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jacqui Lowman Ph.D.: If people need to take gap years, I would recommend that they continue to work on their communication skills. Read and write/create content for a wide range of audiences. Continue to learn and use technology. Look for opportunities to demonstrate leadership. And work on self-confidence. Volunteering for nonprofits that could use their help would be excellent. Those are great on resumes, will build skills, and the students will feel amazing helping others with their skills.