How Much Does an Advertising Executive Make in 2025?
An advertising executive develops and manages campaigns to promote a company’s products or services. They serve as the link between clients and creative teams, handling market research, campaign planning, budgeting, and client communication to ensure effective advertising strategies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects delivery driver jobs to grow by 8% over the next 10 years.
As demand for advertising executive grows, salaries are also increasing. According to our recent report, the average advertising executive earns $275,500 per year as of July 2025. However, pay varies based on several factors, which will be discussed later.
What is the Average Advertising Executive’s Salary?
The average advertising executive salary in the United States is $275,500 per year, as of July 2025. For the hourly wage, advertising executives have an average salary of $132 per hour, with rates ranging from $124 to $148 per hour.
2025 Advertising Executive Average Salary: $275,500 per year ($132 per hour)
Meanwhile, the weekly and monthly salaries for advertising executives are $5,298 and $22,958, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for Advertising Executive?
According to a recent Salary.com report, the salary range for this job title starts at $242,831 and can reach as high as $335,297 per year, with most earnings falling between $258,400 and $306,800 per year.
However, as mentioned earlier, the salary range for advertising executives varies based on education, experience level, and location.
Advertising Executive Salary Range: $242,831 to $335,297 per year ($117 to $161 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $117 | $4,670 | $20,236 | $242,831 |
| 25th | $124 | $4,969 | $21,533 | $258,400 |
| 50th (Median) | $132 | $5,298 | $22,958 | $275,500 |
| 75th | $148 | $5,900 | $25,567 | $306,800 |
| 90th | $161 | $6,448 | $27,941 | $335,297 |
Advertising Executive Salary Factors
Several aspects affect an advertising executive's salary, such as education, location, experience, and skills. Here's how each one impacts pay.
Years of Experience
The average salary of an advertising executive varies by experience, ranging from $264,569 per year for entry-level positions to $272,230per year for those with over eight years of experience.
| Level | Years of Experience | Average Salary per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Advertising Executive | Less than 1 | $264,569 |
| Intermediate Level Advertising Executive | 1–2 | $266,154 |
| Senior Level Advertising Executive | 2–4 | $267,475 |
| Specialist Level Advertising Executive | 5–8 | $269,588 |
| Expert Level Advertising Executive | 8+ | $272,230 |
Place of Work
As per the BLS, the industry or workplace of a advertising executive can also impact their salary. For example, advertising executive working in management of companies and enterprises earn up to 29% more than one working in the wholesale trade.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Management of companies and enterprises | $160,480 |
| Information | $130,140 |
| Advertising, public relations, and related services | $127,610 |
| Wholesale trade | $124,000 |
Skill Set
Advertising executives with in-demand skills can boost their salaries. The Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data report shows that advertising executives with sales strategy skills can earn 5.95% more than those without.
A advertising executive with content strategy skills is also likely to see a 5.56% increase, followed by digital marketing strategy, which offers 5.36% increase salary boost.
| Skill | Demand (%) | Salary Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Strategy | 20.65% | 5.95% |
| Content Strategy | 21.15% | 5.56% |
| Digital Marketing Strategy | 20.85% | 5.36% |
| Social Media Marketing | 20.65% | 5.24% |
| Media Planning | 20.65% | 5.12% |
| Project Planning | 20.65% | 5.01% |
Advertising Executive Salary by City and State
A advertising executive’s location can affect how much they earn. This information is useful for understanding pay trends, negotiating salary, or planning a career in the field.
Highest Paying States for Advertising Executive
Based on Salary.com data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for advertising executives in the United States, at $305,000 per year, followed by California at $303,800.
- District of Columbia: $305,000
- California: $303,800
- Massachusetts: $299,800
- Washington: $298,700
- New Jersey: $298,600
Advertising Executive Salary by State
| State | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $298,200 |
| Alabama | $253,100 |
| Arkansas | $248,900 |
| Arizona | $268,400 |
| California | $303,800 |
| Colorado | $281,100 |
| Connecticut | $294,400 |
| District of Columbia | $305,000 |
| Delaware | $279,000 |
| Florida | $260,700 |
| Georgia | $265,700 |
| Hawaii | $287,900 |
| Iowa | $263,600 |
| Idaho | $257,200 |
| Illinois | $280,800 |
| Indiana | $264,400 |
| Kansas | $262,300 |
| Kentucky | $259,200 |
| Louisiana | $261,900 |
| Massachusetts | $299,800 |
| Maryland | $284,000 |
| Maine | $268,600 |
| Michigan | $271,300 |
| Minnesota | $281,900 |
| Missouri | $261,700 |
| Mississippi | $245,700 |
| Montana | $260,100 |
| North Carolina | $261,800 |
| North Dakota | $272,100 |
| Nebraska | $259,500 |
| New Hampshire | $278,500 |
| New Jersey | $298,600 |
| New Mexico | $255,100 |
| Nevada | $272,600 |
| New York | $292,900 |
| Ohio | $268,200 |
| Oklahoma | $254,700 |
| Oregon | $279,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $274,200 |
| Rhode Island | $285,600 |
| South Carolina | $258,100 |
| South Dakota | $250,400 |
| Tennessee | $257,400 |
| Texas | $268,700 |
| Utah | $263,800 |
| Virginia | $277,400 |
| Vermont | $270,400 |
| Washington | $298,700 |
| Wisconsin | $271,000 |
| West Virginia | $248,100 |
Highest Paying Cities for Advertising Executive
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California offers the highest salary for advertising executive at $57,500 per year or $26 per hour. The top six highest-paying cities for advertising account executive are:
- San Jose, California: $347,400
- San Francisco, California: $344,000
- Oakland, California: $336,400
- New York, New York: $319,200
- Queens Village, New York: $317,200
- Paramus, New Jersey: $315,000
Ways to Increase Your Salary as an Advertising Executive
Advertising executive can boost their actual earnings by gaining experience, developing in-demand skills, and advancing within their roles.
- Gain industry experience: As with most professions, years of experience often translate into higher earnings or promotions. Entry-level Advertising Executives earn approximately $264,569 annually, while those with over 8 years of experience see their salaries rise to about $272,230. Consistently managing campaigns, leading client accounts, and delivering strong results will help you move up the pay scale.
- Develop high-demand skills: Strengthen your expertise in areas that are critical to modern advertising success. Skills such as sales strategy, content strategy, digital marketing strategy, social media marketing, media planning, and project planning are especially valuable. Professionals who master these areas often qualify for leadership roles and premium compensation packages.
- Negotiate your compensation and other incentives: Before your next performance review, research average salaries for Advertising Executives in your area. For instance, in Massachusetts, the average is $299,800, while in California, it’s $303,800. Use this data to support your case when requesting a raise. Be sure to highlight your performance metrics, leadership capabilities, and any additional value you bring to the company, such as managing large accounts or increasing ROI on campaigns.
- Work in high-paying industry: Where you work makes a difference. Advertising Executives earn the most in cities like: San Jose, CA and San Francisco, CA.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of July 4, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for advertising executive in the United States is $134,180 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$275,500 /year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$62,957 /year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$126,000 /year
ONLINEDEGREE AVG. SALARY
$113,610 /year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$93,333 /year
