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Job outlook for media sales associates in the United States
Media sales associate job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected media sales associate job growth rate is -8% from 2018-2028.
About -8,000 new jobs for media sales associates are projected over the next decade.
Media sales associate salaries have increased 9% for media sales associates in the last 5 years.
There are over 4,831 media sales associates currently employed in the United States.
There are 163,816 active media sales associate job openings in the US.
The average media sales associate salary is $77,073.
Are media sales associate jobs in demand?
Media sales associate job and salary trends over time
Media sales associate jobs over time
Media sales associate job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,831 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,500 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 6,485 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 6,653 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,824 | 0.00% |
Average media sales associate salary over time
Media sales associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $77,073 | $37.05 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $74,786 | $35.95 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $72,583 | $34.90 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $69,694 | $33.51 | --1.4% |
| 2021 | $70,676 | $33.98 | +3.9% |
Media sales associate jobs by state
Most common states for media sales associates
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 863 | 64% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 454 | 47% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 571 | 43% |
| 4 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 686 | 38% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,475 | 36% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 226 | 36% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 375 | 35% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,842 | 34% |
| 9 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,707 | 34% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 4,277 | 33% |
| 11 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 2,212 | 33% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,988 | 33% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,190 | 33% |
| 14 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 3,323 | 32% |
| 15 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 2,116 | 32% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 995 | 32% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 245 | 32% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 530 | 31% |
| 19 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 213 | 31% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,738 | 30% |
Most common cities for media sales associates
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $106,197 |
| 2 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $68,482 |
Media Sales Associate job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of media sales associate experts
University of Hawaii at Manoa
The University of Findlay
University of Mount Union
Franklin and Marshall College
California State University Channel Islands
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Drexel University, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Dr. Barbara Joyce
ACCESS Academic Advisor for undergraduate students in Sociology, Departmental advisorUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa
Department of Sociology
What's a good job out of college for Media Sales Associates?
Dr. Barbara Joyce: A good job out of college is one that the graduates want, a job that is meaningful, that uplifts and inspires them, a job in which they use, and continue to develop, their talents and skills, and, of course, a job that provides them with the material resources and benefits they need to enjoy life. Credit where credit is due, Stephen R. Covey writes of the importance of those elements in his book Principle-Centered Leadership. I like his work a lot.
What's a good job out of college for Media Sales Associates?
Amy Rogan: There are any number of ways to break into journalism. There is no one true path. If a journalist is interested in television I recommend they look for assistant producer positions or assignment editor positions. Many people who think they want to be on-air talent figure out they really enjoy producing much better.
Digital content producer is another good way to work a journalist way into on-air television work. It's also a way to work into newspapers as they are now more digitally dependent.
Larger organizations have more specialty digital positions in research or digital analytics. But starting out in a small market allows you to learn a lot and work your way into bigger markets and responsibilities.
Michael Grossman Ph.D.
Professor, Political Studies and International StudiesUniversity of Mount Union
Department of Political Science and International Studies
What will help Media Sales Associates increase their earning potential?
Michael Grossman Ph.D.: It's all about practical knowledge. Employers are less interested in your major or the classes you take. They want to see that you can do the work they need you to do. So internships are important. Also employers want to see you can be trained and can think critically, write well, and speak well. So in this regard more liberal arts focused curriculum is important.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Media Sales Associates?
Michael Grossman Ph.D.: It is less about licenses or courses and more about experiences. In this regard, internships are crucial.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Media Sales Associates?
Cynthia Krom: Professional certifications matter. If your profession has a certification, you need to have that certification to be competitive in this new world. So, a public accountant needs to have a CPA, and a corporate accountant needs to have their CMA. A fraud examiner needs their CFE. Find out what is available in your profession and take whatever courses or exams are needed to be at the top of your game, because everyone else will.
We don't really know what will be happening with professional licenses with remote work. A psychotherapist may be licensed in New York, but remotely treating a client in New Mexico. Technically, they probably need a license in New Mexico. But who will control that? Will it just be the professional responsibility of the therapist to only practice where licensed? Will their malpractice insurance only cover them if the client is where they are licensed? What about a physician operating on someone a thousand miles away using robotics?
In terms of courses not related to professional certification or licensure, technology is where it is at. First and foremost, polish your Zoom skills. Zoom is now your face-to-face workplace and you need to be a pro. YouTube has great videos about lighting for Zoom, even with reflective eyeglasses. Perhaps your IT department is able to help with connectivity issues and learning remote technologies. And, as we have all recently seen, you need to learn how to turn off filters that make you look like a kitten! For nearly every field, you have to know Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) or similar programs. You need to know how to work collaboratively on projects through things like Google Drive. If you are not fluent in the basics, you are showing up for a horse race with a little pony.
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.
Associate Professor of MarketingCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics
What's a good job out of college for Media Sales Associates?
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.: I think a description of a "good" job opportunity is dependent on so many factors, almost all subjective. What I recommend my students usually, is that they try different things before graduation and find something that makes them feel a purpose other than (and in addition to) making ends meet. For this reason we started a program on our campus where students are hired to help non-profits and small businesses in our area of service. In this program, students get to gain and practice skills that can help them succeed in a corporate or freelance capacity. The students get to experiment without fear of losing a job and find what they would like their entry level positions to look like. While doing this they also help organizations and individuals who have the need but not the resources to get the services from professionals.
What's a day at work look like for a Media Sales Associate?
Sonya DiPalma Ph.D.: With more positions going partially or totally remote, you'll need to be self-disciplined and proactive. Doing the bare minimum will not get you by in either a remote or a traditional professional work environment. You can expect more flexibility with remote work hours. For instance, if you have small children or you're an early riser, then working early mornings starting at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. may be possible, or if you're a night owl, late evenings may be an option. But once your schedule is set, your hours are likely to stay this way for some time. You will be expected to log into a portal to clock-in, and some online collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams can notify your supervisor when you're dormant. In-person meetings will probably occur on a bi-weekly or monthly basis.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Media Sales Associates?
Joseph Hancock: Graduates wanting to work in sales will be digital savvy and understand technology. It will be essential to have soft skills and personalize sales in a manner that will suit the current climate of potential distance buying. Your customers will be global citizens and anyone in sales will need to be one as well! Many students have not brushed up on their soft skills in the areas of customer service, they are too enthnocentric and have been raised by helicopter parents. New graduates need to think for themselves, understand they are working across cultures, generations and not everyone thinks like they do. My words of advice, stay current by reading about new methods of customer service and practice through role play. I think we have forgotten role play can be extremely important for feedback on how we can improve.
What's a day at work look like for a Media Sales Associate?
Joseph Hancock: New graduates will need to be self-disciplined and self-motivated. No one is going to hold your hand and tell you "get to work" or you will soon be looking for a new job. The new world may be one where you don't go to an office, but instead work right from home, scheduling appointments and doing your own calendar. My last years working for Target in a regional field position taught me that no one was going to motivate me each day, I had to motivate myself. Also, it can be lonely working from home as a new graduate, so find outside interests and ways to make friends. I am from the old fashion ideologies that getting a hobby is extremely important, and that hobby is not going to the gym or watching television. It includes something that enriches your life to be a better person in society.