Media buyers are important professionals in the field of advertising and marketing. They deal with the purchasing of space in which ads will be run and the time in which they will air on television, radio, print, digital, and social media, to make certain that their clients’ ads get to the people who are most likely to be impacted by the ad.
Experience, location, industry, and the size of the employer make a significant difference in the salary of a media buyer. In this article, we take you through all the details of the average salary range of a media buyer in different regions and industries.
Average Salary of a Media Buyer
For example, in the U.S, a media buyer earns an average annual salary of anywhere between $50,000 to $75,000 based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or industry reports.
Depending on experience, the salary for media buyers can range from $40,000 for entry-level positions to $80,000 to $100,000 or even more for experienced professionals or in more competitive markets.
Furthermore, media buyers also receive performance-based incentives and commissions which significantly augment their bonuses, and in turn, their overall compensation as a result of high-performance campaigns.
Factors Influencing Media Buyer Salaries
Experience:
But experience is by far the biggest driver of a media buyer salary. On average, entry-level media buyers will make $40,000 — $50,000 per year with less than two years of experience.
The estimated salary of mid-level media buyers with 3–5 years of experience will be in the range of $55,000–$70,000, and senior media buyers or those with over 10 years of experience can expect to make $80,000−$100,000 or more.
Industry:
The sector in which a media buyer specializes can also affect their salary. For instance, media buyers in high-budget industries like technology, finance, or healthcare typically earn more than those in non-profit organizations or smaller agencies.
- Media buyers at large advertising agencies could earn $50,000 to $80,000.
- Corporate: Professionals who work for large corporations or in-house marketing teams: $60,000 to $90,000.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Non-profits tend to pay lower salaries, in the $40,000 to $60,000 range.
International Salary Comparisons
Salaries for media buyers vary globally, depending on the country’s economic conditions, cost of living, and advertising industry strength.
- United Kingdom: Media buyers in the UK earn from £25,000 to £40,000 GBP per annum while the earnings in senior roles can go up to £50,000 GBP.
- Canada: Media buyers in Canada often earn between $45,000 and $65,000 CAD annually.
- Australia — AUD $60,000 to $80,000/annually (media buyers)
- India: Salaries for media buyers in India are considerably lower, at around ₹300,000 to ₹600,000 INR annually, depending on experience and location.
What Media Buyer Do?
In the advertising and marketing industry a media buyer is a person that purchases advertising space and time and is also in charge of the advertising strategy for a client.
They play a key role in getting the most value out of advertising budgets and accomplishing campaign objectives. For a quick overview of what media buyers actually do, here is a step-by-step breakdown:
Key Responsibilities of a Media Buyer
- Research and Planning:
Media buyers study the target audience, market trends, and competitor activity, to determine the right advertising platforms (TV, radio, digital, social media, print, etc.). They collaborate with clients and marketing teams to gain insights into the objectives and budgets of the campaigns. - Negotiating and Purchasing Ad Space:
In most cases, media buyers haggle with media outlets (TV networks, Websites, magazines, etc.) to obtain optimal rates and placements for ads. They want to make sure that their clients spend the least possible while getting their ads in front of as many people as possible. - Campaign Execution:
After you acquire ad space, media buyers will manage your campaign execution. Ensuring ads are received and meeting media outlet specifications which involves collaboration with creative teams to have ads delivered on time. - Monitoring and Optimization:
Media buyers track metrics like impressions, clicks, conversions, and ROI (Return on Investment) from the campaign to evaluate its performance consistently. They will also adjust on the fly to get better outcomes, such as shifting budgets or swapping placements of ads. - Building Relationships with Media Vendors:
During the execution phase, media buyers work closely with media vendors and platforms to find new opportunities, negotiate the best deals, and ensure smooth operations. - Budget Management:
Ad budgets are their speciality and they make sure that the funds are distributed in a manner that gives optimal results across platforms. - Reporting and Analysis:
Once a campaign has ended, media buyers assess its effectiveness and compile comprehensive reports for clients. They give tips on what worked, what failed, and suggestions for future campaigns. - Staying Updated on Industry Trends:
Media buyers stay updated on the changes in the advertising environment, including new platforms, technologies, and consumer behavior, to make sure that their strategies are effective.
Skills Required for Media Buyers
- Strong negotiation and communication skills.
- Analytical thinking to interpret data and optimize campaigns.
- Knowledge of media platforms and advertising tools (e.g., Google Ads, programmatic buying platforms).
- Attention to detail for managing budgets and campaign execution.
- Creativity to identify innovative advertising opportunities.
How much do media buyers earn In United States?
United States
- Junior Media Buyers: The average salary is $40,000-$50,000 a year.
- Mid-Level Media Buyers – 3-5 years of experience, $50,000 – $70,000 per year
- Media Buyers with 10+ years or specialized experience: $80,000 to $100,000 or more
- Media Buyer Salary — The Average American Salary for a Media Buyer is in the range of 50k to 70k a year, with bonuses and incentives.
| City | Average Annual Salary | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | $85,000 | $60,000 – $120,000 |
| Los Angeles | $78,000 | $55,000 – $110,000 |
| Chicago | $72,000 | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| San Francisco | $90,000 | $65,000 – $130,000 |
| Atlanta | $68,000 | $45,000 – $95,000 |
| Boston | $82,000 | $58,000 – $115,000 |
| Dallas | $70,000 | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Miami | $67,000 | $45,000 – $90,000 |
Media Buyer Salaries are making California Cities
| City | Average Annual Salary | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $90,000 | $65,000 – $130,000 |
| Los Angeles | $78,000 | $55,000 – $110,000 |
| San Diego | $72,000 | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| San Jose | $85,000 | $60,000 – $120,000 |
| Sacramento | $68,000 | $45,000 – $95,000 |
| Oakland | $76,000 | $53,000 – $108,000 |
| San Bernardino | $65,000 | $42,000 – $90,000 |
| Fresno | $62,000 | $40,000 – $85,000 |
| Santa Clara | $88,000 | $62,000 – $125,000 |
| Irvine | $80,000 | $55,000 – $115,000 |
| Santa Barbara | $70,000 | $48,000 – $98,000 |
| Berkeley | $82,000 | $57,000 – $115,000 |
| Anaheim | $74,000 | $50,000 – $105,000 |
| Long Beach | $71,000 | $48,000 – $100,000 |
| Bakersfield | $60,000 | $38,000 – $85,000 |
Job Outlook
As more companies shift towards digital and data-driven marketing strategies, media buyers are expected to remain a stable demand, too.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment growth of 6% in advertising, promotions, and marketing management (including media buying) from 2025 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
It is being fueled by the growing need for niche ad spending and the emergence of digital platforms.
Conclusion
This is why media buyers are paid well as they are key to the advertising campaigns and one of the main factors that lead to their success.
In general, media buyers across the United States can make $50,000-$70,000 a year, but this number can vary significantly depending on country, experience level, specialization, and other factors.
Internationally, ranges differ but are generally similar, with higher pay in countries with a strong advertising industry. With the ongoing evolution of the advertising landscape — in part due to the expansion of digital media — media buyers will keep a vital role, and thus steady demand for talented professionals and a high-paying salary.
