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Job outlook for media sales consultants in the United States
Media sales consultant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected media sales consultant job growth rate is -8% from 2018-2028.
About -8,000 new jobs for media sales consultants are projected over the next decade.
Media sales consultant salaries have increased 9% for media sales consultants in the last 5 years.
There are over 25,010 media sales consultants currently employed in the United States.
There are 143,671 active media sales consultant job openings in the US.
The average media sales consultant salary is $27,087.
Are media sales consultant jobs in demand?
Media sales consultant job and salary trends over time
Media sales consultant jobs over time
Media sales consultant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,010 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 27,900 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 32,110 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 32,728 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 33,360 | 0.01% |
Average media sales consultant salary over time
Media sales consultant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,087 | $13.02 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $26,283 | $12.64 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $25,509 | $12.26 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $24,493 | $11.78 | --1.4% |
| 2021 | $24,839 | $11.94 | +3.9% |
Media sales consultant jobs by state
Most common states for media sales consultants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 211 | 30% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 236 | 27% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 329 | 25% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 156 | 25% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 222 | 21% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 218 | 21% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 119 | 21% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,186 | 17% |
| 9 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 847 | 17% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 535 | 17% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 225 | 17% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 165 | 17% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 125 | 17% |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 611 | 16% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 559 | 16% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 819 | 15% |
| 17 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 629 | 15% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 261 | 15% |
| 19 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 427 | 14% |
| 20 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 270 | 14% |
Most common cities for media sales consultants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mequon | 1 | 4% | $28,949 |
| 2 | Brookfield | 1 | 3% | $28,632 |
| 3 | Quincy | 1 | 2% | $29,185 |
| 4 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $21,534 |
| 5 | Milwaukee | 1 | 0% | $28,738 |
Media Sales Consultant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of media sales consultant experts
Weber State University
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of San Francisco
Oklahoma Baptist University
The University of Findlay
Fordham University Gabelli School of Business
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Illinois Wesleyan University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
University of Dallas
Central Connecticut State University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
4A's
Ryan McKeehan
Weber State University
General Sales, Merchandising And Related Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Media Sales Consultant?
Ryan McKeehan: I advise seeking experiences over money when you are beginning your career. Often, new graduates will take the job that offers the most compensation. Choosing employment that provides the best opportunities to develop different skill sets will pay dividends in the long run. Leadership and problem-solving depend heavily on the experiences one can draw upon.
What Media Sales Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ryan McKeehan: At the start of one’s career, there are numerous ways to maximize one’s salary potential. One way is to change jobs every few years. The traditional stigma around job hopping has diminished, and each job change can bring new opportunities for salary upgrades and skill acquisition. By demonstrating a willingness to work hard and continuously upgrade skills, one can develop rare and valuable expertise that will be in high demand, opening doors to better opportunities and higher earnings.
What will help Media Sales Consultants increase their earning potential?
Ryan McKeehan: With the rapid advancement of AI and other technologies, the role of salespeople is evolving. In this changing landscape, superior soft skills will be in high demand. The ability to communicate effectively, provide exceptional customer service, and sell ethically will be more crucial than ever. By honing these skills, one can stay ahead in the job market.
What general advice would you give to a Media Sales Consultant?
Kevin Buckley: The biggest factor in earning potential is performance - salespeople get paid based on their ability to hit and exceed quotas through revenue generation. With a sales career, you have a lot of control over earnings. My advice is to be metrics-driven and have a plan to intentionally grow your sales skills through training, mentors, and personal development. Build a reputation for consistent over-achievement. It's also important to do research and understand typical compensation benchmarks. Some may offer higher base pay, while others offer more earnings leverage through aggressive commission/bonus structures.
What Media Sales Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kevin Buckley: Adaptability - The sales environment is evolving rapidly with changes in buyer expectations, technologies, and go-to-market strategies. Successful salespeople will need to be highly adaptable, comfortable with change, and able to quickly adjust their approach as needed. Those stuck in outdated methods will struggle. Digital Selling - The ability to effectively sell through digital channels and virtual interactions is now table stakes. Mastering skills like virtual presentations, video marketing, social selling, and leveraging sales technology tools will separate the top performers. Buyers expect a seamless, digitally-enabled experience. Business Acumen - More than ever, salespeople need the ability to position their products/services as strategic solutions that tangibly impact the client's key objectives, financial metrics, and business outcomes. Knowing how to speak the language of business strategy is crucial for consultative selling.
What will help Media Sales Consultants increase their earning potential?
Kevin Buckley: My top advice is to be a continuous learner, both about your company/products and about the sales profession itself. Sales is a skill that requires ongoing development through practice, coaching, and studying new techniques. Don't rest on what you learned in school - seek out mentors, training opportunities, and ways to keep enhancing your sales capabilities. I would also advise resilience and to view every 'no' as a step closer to 'yes.' Sales has its share of rejection. Have a positive attitude, persist through obstacles, and be a student of why buyers say no so that you can improve.
What general advice would you give to a Media Sales Consultant?
Dr. John Hansen: Regarding the third question, the only real way to maximize your salary in sales is to perform well against the success metrics in place in your role. Sales is, for the most part, an outcome-based profession, meaning that pay increases (or decreases) based on outcomes attained. Whatever the success metrics are in the position one is currently in, they will maximize their income to the extent that they perform well in relation to these success metrics.
What Media Sales Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. John Hansen: As to the first question, I would suggest any new graduate beginning in sales understand themselves to better understand what type of role they will best fit to. There has been a growing increase in assessment tests in sales to ensure that sales people are being placed in roles they will flourish in. For example, some sales people are more oriented towards finding new customers, while others are more oriented towards managing existing relationships. To the extent that new salespeople can better understand what role they will fit best to, and then secure that role, they are more likely to be successful. Beyond that, there is no substitute for hard work - particularly as one begins their career.
What will help Media Sales Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. John Hansen: In terms of the second question, consultative selling has become critically important and will become even more important moving forward in the future. Gone are the days of salespeople simply being able to show up and pitch products while negotiating price. Today, instead, salespeople must be able to craft solutions in response to their customer’s problems. They must truly be consultative in their approach, guiding their customers through the purchasing process. To the extent that they can do this, they will be more successful in their careers.
What general advice would you give to a Media Sales Consultant?
Derrek Schartz: Be agile and able to adapt. Sales has changed more of the last 20 years than over the previous 100. It's not your father's sales career. Over the last several decades the role of sales in most organizations has changed dramatically.
What Media Sales Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Derrek Schartz: To maximize your total income in sales one must always be learning and growing. Improving their knowledge, skills, and abilities particularly in light of the disruptions beginng to occur, such as AI, digitization, and others.
What will help Media Sales Consultants increase their earning potential?
Derrek Schartz: The future of sales will require a change to the knowledge, skills, and abilities of salespeople (KSAs). Knowledge is a very important part of what a salesperson needs to be effective.
Marthinus JC van Loggerenberg
Assistant Professor of AdvertisingUniversity of San Francisco
USF Advertising Program
What skills stand out on Media Sales Consultant resumes?
Marthinus JC van Loggerenberg: -Objective observation towards problem-solving and building tangible value
-Conceptual thinking and planning towards practical implementation
-Specialist skills in a very particular area of an advertising discipline landing credibility
What soft skills should all Media Sales Consultants possess?
Marthinus JC van Loggerenberg: -Excellence in communication
-Empathy and collaboration
-Holistic (or systemic) as well as analytical thinking
-Organizational skills that include prioritization and time management
-Confidence, charisma, showing ambition, and leadership
3. What hard/technical skills are most important?
What hard/technical skills are most important for Media Sales Consultants?
Marthinus JC van Loggerenberg: It really depends on the individual's field of expertise, but in general, I would say:
-Strategic planning skills that include sales strategy
-Market research and analysis, in particular, consumer behavior analysis
-Marketing expertise (or excellent understanding) in areas like SEO, lead generation, PPC, content creation, social media, etc.
-Value and process improvement, especially in the digital media space
-Computer skills to create marketing reports, ad mockups, and presentations (includes likes of MS Office, Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, etc.)
What skills will help Media Sales Consultants earn the most?
Marthinus JC van Loggerenberg: -Brand identity design
-Strategic brand communication planning that includes interpreting data towards viable insights and setting meticulous metrics
Consumer journey mapping
-Mastery of crafting strategies and creating content for multi-platform digital media advertising
... quite in demand at present is the ability to create brand community and influencer strategies
Dr. Daryl Green
Associate Professor of BusinessOklahoma Baptist University
College of Business
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Media Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Daryl Green: Today's students need to embrace emerging market trends. For marketing students, the marketing concept means intimately understanding your customers and satisfying their immediate needs. The lingering pandemic from 2020 will make the job hunt more difficult this year. From my research, here are 2021 employment trends to consider:
Marketing strategy still matters. Today's businesses are using ineffective marketing strategies despite using digital tactics like social media platforms. According to HubSpot, only 61% of marketers believe their marketing strategy is effective. Yet, they are still pouring massive amounts of dollars into digital advertising. Understanding the basic marketing strategies will equip college grads for the challenges ahead.
Artificial intelligence and automation rise in 2021. Marketing professionals will need to be more tech-savvy. AI will make analyzing and implementing decisions more efficient. According to a McKinsey study, Netflix saved $1 billion in lost revenue in 2017 by using machine learning to make personalized recommendations. Other businesses, like Amazon, are doing the same.
Data analytics continue to emerge as a critical ingredient for market decision making. About 82% of marketers plan to increase their usage of first-party data (Source: Signal). Taking a marketing analytics course will be helpful to graduates.
Digital platforms will continue to dominate the economy. Thus, an online presence is essential. According to a Bright Edge study, digital ad spending will reach $389 billion in 2021. Thus, students need good digital literacy to succeed.
Mobile platforms like smartphones are the future. As for May of 2020, Google was responsible for 67% of all smartphone search traffic.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Media Sales Consultants to find work opportunities?
Christopher Sippel Ed.D.: A silver lining to the pandemic may be that the location of an individual in many industries no longer dictates which company or organization someone can work for. When travel restrictions begin to ease, successful candidates will be willing to go wherever they are asked to go. In these challenging times, organizations will need people that are open to working where they are needed.
What experience really stands out on Media Sales Consultant resumes?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Knowledge and experience with sales technology tools and effectively navigating Omnichannel hybrid sales environments. Social selling and analytical skills are also highly important. Product and industry knowledge for the targeted verticals also stands out. Experience with specific industry vertical prospecting tools can be a major differentiator. Finally, important to complement the aforementioned ATS keywords are leadership and team collaboration.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Media Sales Consultants?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Yes, there will. Many businesses are changing their headquarters, operational infrastructure and buying communications protocols. Effective vertical prospecting, networking and selling skills will still be as important as ever as sales engagements will continue to become more complex. According to McKinsey sales engagements of course have moved mostly to digital and remote which is a trend that started before the pandemic. A McKinsey survey of B2B companies finds that, "Almost 90 percent of sales have moved to a videoconferencing(VC)/phone/web sales model, and while some skepticism remains, more than half believe this is equally or more effective than sales models used before COVID-19." (The B2B digital inflection point: How sales have changed during COVID-19) April 30, 2020 McKinsey Article)
What experience really stands out on Media Sales Consultant resumes?
Anthony DeFrancesco: Knowledge and experience with sales technology tools and effectively navigating Omnichannel hybrid sales environments. Social selling and analytical skills are also highly important. Product and industry knowledge for the targeted verticals also stands out. Experience with specific industry vertical prospecting tools can be a major differentiator. Finally, important to complement the aforementioned ATS keywords are leadership and team collaboration.
What Media Sales Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laura Sansoni: I think taking a year between high school and college or between a bachelor's and master's degree can be incredibly beneficial if the individual approaches this time with intentional purpose. If they want to gain work experience and/or save up money for school, seeking a position with ties to a career that interests them is going to help them narrow down their academic path once they begin their higher education.
If they want to use this time to travel, they should consider documenting their experiences to reflect on their personal growth and any new skills they gain such as learning a new language. If they simply wish to take a break from their studies, take the year to explore their personal interests and hobbies by trying new things and meeting with people doing work that interests them. Lifelong, fulfilling careers stem from your passions and interests. Discovering both early will help guide them in educational pursuits as well as fulfilling work throughout their life.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Media Sales Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Fred Hoyt Ph.D.: The biggest trends I believe in the job market will be the search for employees who have mastered (or at least adapted to) the demands of online everything: sales, fulfillment, working at a distance with minimum supervision in groups with minimal supervision, positive mental attitude, and an ability to self-motivate.
Jonathan Byers
Assistant DirectorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Career and Professional Development
What skills stand out on Media Sales Consultant resumes?
Jonathan Byers:
- Professional skills related to career development competencies such as strong oral & written communication, teamwork & collaboration, leadership, problem-solving ability & creativity, and professional integrity, but we recommend that applicants do not just list these skills. They should provide evidence of how they have used them in their work experience, volunteer experience, academic experience, etc.
-The ability to use technology effectively to solve problems or improve collaboration; this could relate to social media management, computer hardware or software skills, proficiency with general programs like Microsoft Office Suite (also being able to demonstrate the use of these skills in various experiences).
-With diversity, equity, and inclusion becoming more important in 2020, the ability to appreciate different points of view, accept and appreciate different cultural backgrounds & types of identities, and increased awareness of one's own cultural biases and assumptions can also be important to market on a resume.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Media Sales Consultants to find work opportunities?
Jonathan Byers: Like most Liberal Arts graduates, people with History degrees will most likely develop a number of the professional skills mentioned above that can be applicable in many different industry areas. In today's job market, college graduates are not bound to one type of job opportunity. History majors from Virginia Tech have found employment in Higher Education, Law, Politics, Public Policy, Business, Marketing, Information Technology, Information Management, International Affairs, Local & State Government, and the Federal Government. They have found opportunities in many different locations across the United Students. A person who finds a job depends on how much they are willing to network with other professionals and be strategic and intentional with their job search strategies.
Dr. Tammy Leonard
Chair & Associate Professor, Co-Director Community Assistance ResearchUniversity of Dallas
Economics Department
What experience really stands out on Media Sales Consultant resumes?
Dr. Tammy Leonard: I always tell my students that the experience that stands out is the one they own. It's been tough for students to get the same "traditional" internship experience during the pandemic. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to contribute to those willing to own those responsibilities. At UD, my Community Assistance Research (CARE) group leads an academic-community partnership with local nonprofits. We have had students creating internships out of volunteer opportunities with these organizations serving the many households adversely affected by the pandemic. Even if it's a tiny part of a project or an unpaid role, students who take ownership of something ultimately exemplify leadership, responsibility, and impact. When students go off for internships, I often encourage them to check in a month or so into the engagement, and we talk about what they can own and what they are going to do with it.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Media Sales Consultants?
Dr. Tammy Leonard: "Some students have flourished in the online learning environment, and others have not. I fear employers may interpret these differences as indicators of something more than they are. Indeed, some students are more capable of managing their time than others, which is one factor that employers care about. Still, students also really learn in many different ways -and the sudden change in learning formats affected some learners more than others.
Also, Covid impacted the external situation of some students much more than others. The pandemic could further amplify disparities between different types of learners and students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. One way to remedy this is for employers to be very forthright in asking students how they adjusted to the changing learning environment. It's unlikely the learning environment will ever go 100% back to what it used to be, so this change (and asking about this change) is here for the next several years. Employers need to be aware of the vast heterogeneity in pandemic impacts; those differences are large and likely will endure for some time.
Employers that care about equal opportunity and diversity need to be even more aware that the landscape has changed and disparities are potentially more extensive than ever before. For example, I have one student who has moved from a solid A student to an A/B student during the pandemic. That same student is managing more than one job and relying on an old computer. Another student has moved from an A/B student to more of an A student. That student is still good, but they benefit from the fact that many exams are an open book because of the online format, and there are fewer social distractions. Employers need to seek out this information when making comparisons-now more than ever."
What Media Sales Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kaustav Misra Ph.D.: This pandemic taught us many things and one important thing that we have an efficiency gap.
The way of doing business will be much more technology orientated. Hence graduates should be ready to unskill and upskill their credentials. This time it is necessary to forget the old way of doing business and learn new skills to get a job or stay in a current job. Soft skills have become much more important than before, but a different soft skill set would be essential to interact with future market participants. Thus, a gap year should be utilized to unskill-upskill and enhance relevant credentials by getting into short-long term programs, training, and workshops would be highly recommended.
Dr. Vallari Chandna
Chair and Associate ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Marketing and Management Department
What type of skills will young Media Sales Consultants need?
Dr. Vallari Chandna: Critically, for all graduates, expertise or interests, in sustainability will be important. The reason behind this is the shift in looking at sustainability holistically and not just as something one-person does. This would also give an edge to those with degrees, specifically in sustainability. Graduates with degrees related to sustainability will often be asked to oversee or manage these across-the-board sustainability endeavors. Also, soft skills are highly desired. The ability to be better at time management, work in teams, and have a strong work ethic, will be more desirable. These are all interconnected with remote work as well. Employees who "thrived" in the pandemic were those able to manage their work-life balance, work remotely in teams, all the while performing well. The skills are thus "transferable" to both modalities of work in this way.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Media Sales Consultants to find work opportunities?
Mollie Rosen: We've often told grads to "get in wherever you can get in" as there are great agencies everywhere, and any opportunity is a valid one where you can learn. In today's environment, though, that still holds true, but the barriers of geography are falling as many agencies adapt to include remote working as part of their model moving forward.
How do you envision technology impacting Media Sales Consultants in the next 5 years?
Mollie Rosen: Our industry, like many others, is increasingly leveraging technology, and some reports predict as much as 10-30% of roles being automated over the next ten years. This can be an opportunity, though, as people move out of the more rote aspects of our industry and can use technology to enhance the work they do to drive better creativity and better consumer experiences. This reinforces the idea that adaptability is a key quality for ongoing success in our industry. Today's students may have a leg up, likely being more tech-savvy than their predecessors. But leveraging their understanding and use of technology to provide creative solutions that grow a client's business is what will be needed.
What type of skills will young Media Sales Consultants need?
Mollie Rosen: In today's world, in some ways, character traits are more important than specific lessons or skills learned. The creative nature of our industry necessitates having people who are insatiably curious, demonstrate a passion for the industry, and have the ability to adapt in a fast-paced, constantly evolving industry. We need people who can embrace change and find opportunities.