Advertising Sales Agent salary in California
Advertising Sales Agents in California earn a median of $80,360 a year ($38.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,130 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $64,820. California ranks 4th of 48 states for advertising sales agents pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.53 advertising sales agents per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for advertising sales agents in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| 25th percentile | $56,010 | $26.93 |
| Median | $80,360 | $38.64 |
| 75th percentile | $104,660 | $50.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,130 | $75.54 |
| Average (mean) | $90,780 | $43.64 |
Half of advertising sales agents earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,696.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,348.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,090.77 |
| Weekly | $1,545.38 |
| Hourly | $38.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Advertising Sales Agent salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $113,250 | 380 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,390 | 1,340 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $80,360 | 5,230 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $78,990 | 70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $75,840 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $72,740 | 190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $68,790 | 480 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $64,690 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $64,070 | 230 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $62,360 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $57,380 | 60 |
| Fresno, CA | $47,330 | 100 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $45,880 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for advertising sales agents
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $101,320 |
| New York | $98,360 |
| Massachusetts | $80,500 |
| California | $80,360 |
| District of Columbia | $75,030 |
| Utah | $74,260 |
| Colorado | $73,420 |
| New Jersey | $69,620 |
| South Carolina | $68,200 |
| Illinois | $66,290 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $76,120 | $36.60 |
| Travel Agent | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Cashier | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $76,490 | $36.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $54,870 | $26.38 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $52,810 | $25.39 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $124,220 | $59.72 |
| Parts Salesperson | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $81,140 | $39.01 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $46,220 | $22.22 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 41-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a advertising sales agent make in California?
The median salary for advertising sales agents in California is $80,360 a year, or $38.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid advertising sales agents make in California?
The top 10% of advertising sales agents in California earn at least $157,130 a year. The top 25% earn $104,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for advertising sales agents in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,260 a year, and a quarter of advertising sales agents earn $56,010 or less.
How many advertising sales agents work in California?
About 9,620 advertising sales agents are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.