Advertising Sales Agent salary in Columbia, SC
Advertising Sales Agents in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $49,500 a year ($23.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,960 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $64,820. Pay here is 27% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $68,200. There are 0.49 advertising sales agents per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for advertising sales agents in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,340 | $11.70 |
| 25th percentile | $37,370 | $17.97 |
| Median | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| 75th percentile | $104,990 | $50.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,960 | $72.58 |
| Average (mean) | $73,940 | $35.55 |
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 | $4,125 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,062.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,903.85 |
| Weekly | $951.92 |
| Hourly | $23.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Advertising Sales Agent salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $80,410 | 520 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $63,130 | 280 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $59,770 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $46,110 | 90 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $42,770 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $39,270 | 100 |
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 |
See Advertising Sales Agent pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $74,100 | $35.63 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Travel Agent | $31,650 | $15.22 |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Cashier | $27,830 | $13.38 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $62,470 | $30.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Parts Salesperson | $34,310 | $16.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $75,630 | $36.36 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $109,080 | $52.44 |
| Telemarketer | $36,100 | $17.36 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for advertising sales agents in the Columbia, SC metro area is $49,500 a year, or $23.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid advertising sales agents make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of advertising sales agents in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $150,960 a year. The top 25% earn $104,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for advertising sales agents in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,340 a year, and a quarter of advertising sales agents earn $37,370 or less.
How many advertising sales agents work in Columbia, SC?
About 190 advertising sales agents are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.