Advertising sales agents sell advertising space to businesses and individuals. They contact potential clients, make sales presentations, and maintain client accounts.

Advertising sales agents work under pressure to meet sales quotas. They work in a range of industries, including advertising agencies, radio, television, and Internet publishing.

Although a high school diploma is typically enough for an entry-level advertising sales position, some employers prefer applicants who have a bachelor’s degree. Sales experience and communication skills are essential.

Employment of advertising sales agents is projected to decline 3 percent from 2014 to 2024. Increasing Internet and television advertising sales will not offset the decline in advertising activity in print newspapers.

This occupation supported 154,600 jobs in 2012 and 167,900 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 8.6%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to decrease by 0.6% in 2022 to 153,600 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 154,400, compared with an observed value of 167,900, 8.7% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to decrease by 2.9% in 2024 to 163,400 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 153,400 jobs for 2024, 6.1% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.