Advertising covers a range of activities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the advertising and public relations industry includes preparing advertisements for businesses, designing campaigns to promote clients and selling advertising space. Starting salaries in advertising are likely represented by the 10th and 25th percentile salaries reported by the bureau.
Advertising Sales Agents
Advertising sales agents sell advertising, mostly for newspapers and periodicals, radio and television, telephone directories, websites and direct mail and outdoor advertisers. The national median salary was $45,350, with a 10th percentile salary of $22,780 and a 25th percentile salary of $31,350. The states with the highest 10th percentile salaries for advertising sales agents were New York at $31,740, California at $27,210 and Massachusetts at $30,490. The lowest-paying states at the 10th percentile were Nebraska at $17,020, Tennessee at $17,070 and West Virginia at $17,320.
Advertising and Promotions Managers
The national starting salaries for advertising and promotions managers, who are responsible for planning, overseeing or coordinating advertising policies and programs, were $41,480 at the 10th percentile salary and $56,820 at the 25th percentile. The national median salary was $83,890. The states with the highest 10th percentile salaries for advertising and promotions managers were Minnesota at $69,730, New York at $62,890 and Massachusetts at $59,530. The lowest paying states at the 10th percentile were Montana at $28,310, Tennessee at $28,540 and Kentucky at $29,560.
Public Relations Specialists
Public relations specialists design campaigns to promote clients. The national median salary was $52,090, with a 10th percentile salary of $30,560 and a 25th percentile salary of $38,960. The states with the highest 10th percentile salaries for public relations specialists were Minnesota at $37,180, Alaska at $36,090 and New York at $36,050. The lowest-paying states at the 10th percentile were Nebraska at $19,400, West Virginia at $21,640 and Nevada at $24,370.
Other Advertising Jobs
Advertising includes many other jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not break down 10th and 25th percentile salaries for these occupations, but does provide national mean salaries specific to the advertising industry. You can expect starting salaries to be less. Examples of these mean salaries include art directors at $95,860, graphic designers at $49,150, writers and authors at $73,710, and photographers at $44,470.
Considerations
The bureau expects employment in the advertising and public relations services industry to grow eight percent from 2008 to 2018. A great deal of competition is expected for these jobs, because many job seekers see advertising as an exciting industry.
Tags: 10th percentile, 25th percentile, percentile salaries, percentile salary, 10th percentile salaries, 10th percentile salary, 10th percentile were