The Ultimate Career Resource For Media Buyers
Media buying is a growing niche that many people are opting for.
With a constant rise in digital businesses and advertisements, this role is an excellent career option that will help you earn well.
Currently, there are over 8,000 media buyers in the United States.
The number will only keep on growing as more people decide to choose this career.
If you are contemplating becoming a media buyer, you are in the right place.
Here is a complete career resource guide that will help you make an informed decision.
Media Buyer Information Table
| Official Job Title | Media Buyer |
| Average Salary | $60,853 |
| Stress Level | Average |
| Work/Life | Low |
| Job Satisfaction | Average |
| Career Advancement | Average |
Media Buyer Job Description
Here is a detailed job description of a media buyer to help you understand what they are responsible for:
What Is A Media Buyer?
In simple terms, a media buyer is responsible for buying media (advertisement) space for the business.
Media buyers source and obtain advertising space for online campaigns, billboards, print, etc.
The media buyer also takes input from the media team to reach the appropriate decision.
What Does A Media Buyer Do On A Daily Basis?
A day in the life of a media buyer begins with checking emails and responding to sales vendors.
A crucial aspect of their role is to screen potential vendors and technology.
Media buyers do this screening process to guarantee they are spending the company’s advertising money most efficiently.
After the media buyer does vendor research, they will schedule calls with vendors.
Talking to them will help a media buyer understand if their offer is attractive.
The rest of the day consists of meetings, researching the latest market trends, planning and scheduling media buys, and much more.
Responsibilities, Duties, & Roles Of A Media Buyer
The responsibilities, duties, and roles of a media buyer include developing media buying strategies.
Besides that, media buyers also negotiate time slots and advertising space with various media outlets.
Media buyers also engage in media planning to identify target audiences and create effective campaigns.
Of course, the roles will differ from company to company.
Media Buyer Salary
Here is a media buyer’s salary, depending on where they are in their career:
Average Salary
The average salary of a media buyer comes to over $60,853 per annum.
That comes to at least $28 per hour.
However, location is critical as New Jersey, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania offer the highest salaries.
So, it is vital to work in the right place if you want to earn more.
Starting Salary
The entry-level salary of a media buyer roughly comes to over $45,000 per year.
Almost all media buyers begin with such a salary and then work their way up.
Senior Salary
Senior positions of media buyers earn more than $74,000 per year.
The top 10% of media buyers earn this amount.
How To Become A Media Buyer
If you are looking to become a media buyer, read below to find out everything you need to know about it.
The Entry Level: Certification, Training & Degree
Most companies will require media buyers to have a bachelor’s degree.
The degree should be in business, marketing, communication, or advertisement.
If you don’t have a degree, it is necessary to have the proper certifications.
The top certifications you need for this job are Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, Professional Certified Marketer, and many others.
Of course, not all certifications are equal.
It is best to research where you are working and what certifications are in demand in the companies there.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications
It is critical to have a suitable skill set when becoming a media buyer.
That is why you should know everything about email campaigns, analytics, media planning, ROI, SEO, and much more.
Having these technical skills is a requirement for doing your job effectively.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Media Buyer?
It will take you a few years to finish your bachelor’s degree.
Besides that, you also need to have some experience in the field.
Most companies ask for three years of experience from media buyers.
Is It Hard To Become A Media Buyer?
No, it is not difficult to become a media buyer.
As long as you have the right qualifications and skill set, you will become a media buyer in no time.
Media Buyer Career Paths
Are you wondering if becoming a media buyer is a viable career path for you or not?
If you are, then here is what you need to know:
The Media Buyer Roadmap
The roadmap of a media buyer is simple.
The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
You can also seek an internship during this time to enhance your resume.
If your internship does not turn into a full-time position, you need to look for work.
Media buyers work with agencies or advertising firms.
So, you can join a professional organization to begin your career.
To execute your job efficiently, you can obtain additional certifications and training.
It will help you keep up with the changing market trends and be up to date.
That is a complete media buyer roadmap for you.
Projections For Growth In Media Buyer Jobs
The growth rate projection of a media buyer job comes to 6%.
You will slowly advance in this field as you work your way up.
You begin with an entry-level job, and then after a few years, you can obtain a senior position.
It is crucial to keep opting for more certifications and training to grow as a media buyer.
In Summary: Is Media Buyer A Good Career?
Media buying is a competitive field.
If you can manage the competition, it will be a promising career for you.
However, if you want more money, there are better media jobs for you out there.
Working Conditions
Here is what you need to know about the working conditions of a typical media buyer:
Can A Media Buyer Work Remotely From Home?
Yes, a media buyer can work remotely from home.
The tasks from home include managing campaigns and obtaining advertising space.
There are many job openings out there for remote media buyers that you can take.
How Many Hours Does A Media Buyer Work?
Media buyers work forty or more hours a week.
If a media buyer has to arrange contracts or meet deadlines, they can put in extra hours.
Media buyers are in constant contact with clients, which is why their calls will continue even after the workday ends.
Can A Media Buyer Work Part-Time?
A media buyer can work part-time, but it is never that way.
That is because clients require constant communication and updates.
So, even if media buyers officially work part-time, they will still work most of the day.
What Are The Average Vacation Days Of A Media Buyer
On average, media buyers get three weeks off from their work.
That is their official vacation time, where they can relax and escape.
You might also receive more, depending on the company.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Media Buyer
- Public Relationship Manager
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Marketing Consultant
- Brand Strategist
- Purchasing Manager
- Product Buyer
- Public Relations Specialist
- Business Development Manager
Resume Tips
If you are looking to create a stellar media-buying resume, here are the top tips for applying:
- Ensure that the experience and jobs are related to the position you are applying for
- Take keywords from the job description and mention them in your skillset
- Ensure smart keyword usage to make your resume ATS-friendly
- Contextualize and quantify your achievements
- Ensure that the format is excellent
These five tips are essential to apply to your resume.
Once you do, you will have the perfect resume to impress employers.
Interview Questions
Here are some key questions you can ask media buyers as an employer:
Q1: What ad space have you bought before?
Why it works: It will help you understand if the candidate has had success in securing effective ad space before.
Q2: What negotiating techniques do you use to deal with the ad space?
Why it works: It will give you a glimpse into how the candidate deals with clients.
Q3: Do you have any experience with analytics tools?
Why it works: The job description of a media buyer goes beyond buying ad space. One also has to analyze the success of ad space, and analytics tools help with that.
Jobs Related To Media Buyer
Some other jobs related to media buyers include:
- Media Manager
- Sales Manager
- Media Planner
For HR Manager: Tips For Hiring A Media Buyer
As an HR manager, here are the top tips for hiring a media buyer:
Key Characteristics To Look For In A Media Buyer
Here are some critical skills to look for in a media buyer:
- Effective communication
- Familiarity with analytics and other software tools
- Ability to lead a team
- Creativity and resilience
- Ability to create sound strategies
Minimum Level Of Education & Experience
The minimum level of education a media buyer needs to have is a bachelor’s degree.
Besides that, the candidate needs to have a few years of experience in the relevant field.
Various relevant certifications are also essential to have.