Mid-Level

Ad Taker (Advertising Taker)

The advertising intake specialist — processing ad orders and helping customers place effective classified advertising.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
E
R
S
A
I
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Ad Taker (Advertising Taker)s
Employment concentration · ~215 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Ad Taker (Advertising Taker)

As an Ad Taker, you're the person customers contact to place advertising. This means taking orders for classified ads, display ads, or other advertising products, helping customers craft effective ad copy, processing payments, and ensuring ads run correctly.

Your day is customer-facing and order-focused. You might take phone calls from customers wanting to place ads, help them write effective copy within constraints, process orders in the system, and handle questions about pricing and deadlines. Expect steady customer interaction with moderate pace.

The people who thrive here enjoy helping customers and have good attention to detail. You need patience — customers aren't always sure what they want — and the ability to help them create effective ads within their budget. Strong communication and organizational skills help you manage multiple orders accurately.

SupportModerate
IndependenceLower
Working ConditionsLower
RelationshipsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Media typeCustomer segmentOrder complexitySales expectationsSystem sophistication
Ad taking varies by media and organization. Newspaper classified departments have different workflows than digital ad platforms. Some roles are purely order-taking; others have sales expectations to upsell. Customer segments range from individuals placing small classifieds to businesses with larger campaigns.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Ad Taker (Advertising Taker)s (SOC 43-4151.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Ad Taker (Advertising Taker) career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Advertising consultation
Helping customers create more effective ads
2
Sales skills
Upselling and cross-selling advertising products
3
Production knowledge
Understanding how ads are produced and placed
What advertising products would I be taking orders for?
What are the sales expectations for this role?
What does the order management system look like?
What does the customer mix look like?
What does career growth look like?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$34K–$62K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
83K
U.S. Employment
-17.2%
10yr Growth
8K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$76K$72K$68K$65K$61K201920202021202220232024$61K$76K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionService OrientationWritingMonitoringCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingSocial PerceptivenessMathematics
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
43-4151.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.