There are currently an estimated 31,300 advertising managers in the United States. The advertising manager job market is expected to grow by 5.4% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are advertising managers?

CareerExplorer rates advertising managers with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 9,200 advertising managers. That number is based on 1,700 additional advertising managers, and the retirement of 7,500 existing advertising managers.

Are advertising managers in demand?

Competition for advertising manager jobs will continue to be robust because positions in this field are highly coveted. Demand and employment growth will be limited and largely reliant upon the need to replace those who retire from or leave the field. Some opportunities will be generated by companies seeking to increase their electronic media presence. Consequently, job candidates with experience in online, mobile, and social media advertising will stand out to potential employers. This shift to digital advertising should help counter positions lost due to downsizing in the print news industry. In addition, some growth in this occupation may be spurred by increasingly global economies and the need to advertise to expanding cultural markets. This fact makes knowledge of one or more foreign languages an increasingly desirable qualification in the field. While advertising managers typically hold a Bachelor’s Degree in advertising, journalism, or public relations, the most sought after job candidates will also be naturally creative thinkers, with the added ability to analyze data to identify trends and determine client strategies. Although relatively few advertising managers are certified, certification through Sales and Marketing Executives International and the Public Relations Society of America may become more valuable assets as applicants look to distinguish themselves in a challenging job market. Development seminars offered by the American Association of Advertising Agencies may also provide an advantage to job seekers.

What’s the supply of advertising managers?

The advertising manager industry is concentrated in New York, Illinois, California

Advertising Manager job market by state

State Name Employed Advertising Managers
New York 5,870
Illinois 3,560
California 3,400
Massachusetts 1,330
Texas 1,310
Florida 910
Georgia 710
Tennessee 670
Pennsylvania 600
Michigan 600
Washington 580
New Jersey 560
Minnesota 540
Maryland 490
Oregon 450
Colorado 440
Ohio 420
North Carolina 330
Utah 310
Missouri 290
Louisiana 270
Nevada 270
Connecticut 270
Indiana 270
Virginia 240
South Carolina 240
Kentucky 220
Iowa 200
Kansas 180
Oklahoma 160
New Mexico 160
District of Columbia 140
Arkansas 140
Idaho 130
Mississippi 130
Rhode Island 120
Hawaii 110
Wisconsin 110
Nebraska 100
Maine 100
Puerto Rico 100
Alaska 60
Alabama 60
New Hampshire 50
West Virginia 50
North Dakota 50
Guam 40
Delaware 40
Vermont 30