Advertising managers manage campaigns and direct staff.
Advertising managers are supervisory figures charged with managing advertising campaigns within advertising and marketing firms by coordinating disparate projects with assistant project managers, graphic designers and client relations specialists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, there were about 50,100 advertising and public relations services establishments in the U.S. as of 2008.
Salary
Earnings statistics reported by the BLS in May 2010 state that advertising managers earn an average annual salary of $98,720. This equates to an hourly rate of $47.46 when calculated out across a standard 40-hour work week, but many managers work longer and more sporadic hours. Those in the occupations lowest earnings percentile, such as managers with smaller organizations or those with less experience, earn $41,480 per year or $19.94 per hour on average, according to BLS data. Ad managers in the industry's highest average earnings strata earn $122,570 per year or $58.93 per hour.
Salary Across Industry
Advertising managers in the wholesale electronic goods industry earn the top-paying average wages for the occupation, averaging $67.65 per hour or $140,710 per year as of 2010. This rate is over 30 percent higher than the national average wage for advertising managers. Not surprisingly, advertising managers are primarily employed in the advertising and public relations industry, who boast the highest level of employment for the occupation. Ad managers in this field average $58.44 per hour or $121,560 per year, a rate that exceeds the national average salary for the role by over 20 percent.
Nationwide Salary Comparison
New York is the highest paying state for advertising managers in terms of average annual salary. Ad directors in that state average $142,330 per year, an hourly rate of $68.34. The New York City metropolitan area leads all other American cities in average annual salary of advertising managers, with an average rate of $71.13 per hour or $147,950 per yer. Advertising managers average less than $63,400 per year in annual earnings in seven states:, including Maine, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Montana.
Relevant Background and Skills
The BLS states that most managerial and supervisory positions within advertising and public relations require at minimum a bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, public relations or a related field, with a broad liberal arts exposure. Previous professional experience, either at the internship or entry-level is also often preferred by hiring organizations. Given the broad leadership responsibilities inherent to the position, demonstrated success with project management, team building and diplomatic interpersonal communication skills is also highly desirable.
Tags: public relations, advertising managers, Advertising managers, advertising public, advertising public relations