Advertising Sales Agent salary in Illinois
Advertising Sales Agents in Illinois earn a median of $66,290 a year ($31.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,870 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $64,820. Illinois ranks 10th of 48 states for advertising sales agents pay. There are 0.62 advertising sales agents per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for advertising sales agents in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| Median | $66,290 | $31.87 |
| 75th percentile | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,870 | $68.69 |
| Average (mean) | $79,460 | $38.20 |
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 | $5,524.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,762.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,549.62 |
| Weekly | $1,274.81 |
| Hourly | $31.87 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $75,590 | 2,830 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $75,410 | 60 |
| Rockford, IL | $67,030 | 110 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $64,070 | 770 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $54,180 | 60 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $51,920 | 50 |
| Peoria, IL | $31,200 | 160 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $66,900 | $32.17 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $64,280 | $30.90 |
| Travel Agent | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Cashier | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,370 | $17.00 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Parts Salesperson | $42,240 | $20.31 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $107,570 | $51.72 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $88,820 | $42.70 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $36,550 | $17.57 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for advertising sales agents in Illinois is $66,290 a year, or $31.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid advertising sales agents make in Illinois?
The top 10% of advertising sales agents in Illinois earn at least $142,870 a year. The top 25% earn $99,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for advertising sales agents in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of advertising sales agents earn $47,620 or less.
How many advertising sales agents work in Illinois?
About 3,790 advertising sales agents are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.