jobfacts

Advertising and marketing associate professionals

SOC 2020 3554

Advertising and marketing associate professionals assist in the development and implementation of projects which aim to elicit the preferences and requirements of consumers, businesses and other specified target groups so that suppliers may meet these needs.

Also calledAdvertising copywriterCopywriterCreativeAdvertiserMarket researcherMarket research interviewerand 143 more titles
Typical full-time pay£33,4002025 Provisional
People in the job212,000across the UK
Demand for workersNot high
New adverts a month4,600↓ 3.6%on last year · 34th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025

Half of full-time advertising and marketing associate professionals earn between £27,400 and £41,500 a year.

What full-time advertising and marketing associate professionals earn, 2025
£33,400 typical£24,000lowest 10%£41,50075%£45,300top 20%n/ptop 10%
Middle half (£27,400–£41,500)n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less than£24,000
Lowest 20% earn less than£26,500
25%£27,400
Median£33,400
75%£41,500
Top 20% earn more than£45,300
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Typical pay by regionUK median £33,400
London£36,900
East of England!£35,800
East Midlands!£33,900
South East£33,500
North East!£32,900
South West!£32,400
Yorkshire and The Humber£30,700
West Midlands!£29,400
North West£29,300
Scotland!£28,900
Wales!£28,500
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £33,400
London£36,900
East of England£35,800 (small sample)
East Midlands£33,900 (small sample)
South East£33,500
North East£32,900 (small sample)
South West£32,400 (small sample)
Yorkshire and The Humber£30,700
West Midlands£29,400 (small sample)
North West£29,300
Scotland£28,900 (small sample)
Wales£28,500 (small sample)
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £31,000
  • 2024 £31,500
  • 2025 Provisional£33,400
↑ 7.6% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 4,600 jobs for advertising and marketing associate professionals are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as not high.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (1 in all)
Show as table
Aug 20264,922
Jul 20265,336
Jun 20265,573
May 20264,674
Apr 20263,916
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 20263,740
Jan 20264,823
Dec 20252,477
Nov 20255,357
Oct 20255,465
Sept 20254,843
Aug 20254,862
Jul 20255,057
Jun 20255,561
May 20256,316
Apr 20254,479
Mar 20255,146
Feb 20255,304
Jan 20254,464
Dec 20242,799
Nov 20244,182
Oct 20244,714
Sept 20245,323
Aug 20244,959
Jul 20245,225
Jun 20245,290
May 20245,870
Apr 20245,741
Mar 20244,731
Feb 20245,193
Jan 20246,317
Dec 20234,286
Nov 20234,825
Oct 20235,141
Sept 20234,824
Aug 20236,435
Jul 20238,044
Jun 20238,170
May 20238,713
Apr 20236,958
Mar 20238,481
Feb 202311,617
Jan 20239,612
Dec 20228,020
Nov 20229,469
Oct 202210,059
Sept 20229,437
Aug 202210,022
Jul 202211,476
Jun 202211,376
May 202212,409
Apr 202210,189
Mar 202212,551
Feb 202212,380
Jan 202213,181
Dec 202110,622
Nov 202111,632
Oct 202112,566
Sept 202113,388
Aug 202110,299
Jul 202111,135
Jun 202110,031
May 202110,118
Apr 20217,897
Mar 202111,053
Feb 20216,057
Jan 20216,597
Dec 20205,895
Nov 20205,511
Oct 20206,162
Sept 20206,035
Aug 20204,584
Jul 20204,181
Jun 20203,744
May 20203,071
Apr 20204,525
Mar 202010,689
Feb 202012,977
Jan 202011,725
Dec 20198,613
Nov 201910,336
Oct 201910,462
Sept 201910,007
Aug 201911,059
Jul 201914,906
Jun 201914,878
May 201913,794
Apr 20199,329
Mar 201911,309
Feb 201910,799
Jan 201910,777
Dec 20186,332
Nov 20189,780
Oct 20189,872
Sept 201810,247
Aug 20189,863
Jul 201810,409
Jun 201810,398
May 201810,357
Apr 201810,154
Mar 201810,933
Feb 201810,387
Jan 201811,920
Dec 20177,501
Nov 20179,394
Oct 20179,687
Sept 20179,205
Aug 20179,281
Jul 20179,507
Jun 201712,623
May 201711,016
Apr 201710,868
Mar 201712,497
Feb 201710,862
Jan 201712,449
Is there a shortage of advertising and marketing associate professionals?
Not high

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment; in 2024 it was elevated.

  • Visas grantedAbove usual
  • Online job advertsAbove usual
  • Wage growthUsual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedAbove usual
Note: uncertainty in change in hourly wage.
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
5.2%against 27% for all jobs
DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London3,818
Manchester516
Leeds332
Birmingham324
Bristol, City of243
Glasgow City215
City of Edinburgh165
Liverpool156
Nottingham152
Sheffield140
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where advertising and marketing associate professionals are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 583 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from United States, France, China, ranking it 33rd of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of advertising and marketing associate professionals
15%!
36%
21%
17%
8.3%!
1.9%!
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
16–2415% (small sample)
25–3436%
35–4421%
45–5417%
55–648.3% (small sample)
65+1.9% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent67%
Higher education below degree!4.4%
A levels or equivalent17%
GCSEs or equivalent6.5%
Other qualifications!2.9%
No qualifications!1.4%
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent67%
Higher education below degree4.4% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent17%
GCSEs or equivalent6.5%
Other qualifications2.9% (small sample)
No qualifications1.4% (small sample)

Main employers: advertising agencies (12%), business and other management consultancy activities (10%), other social work activities without accommodation nec (8%), general public administration activities (2.8%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
67%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
8
from level 3, including degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships take
15 months to 3 years
typically
T Levels
1
college courses for 16 to 19 year olds

Routes in

Advertising copywriter

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like:

  • English
  • creative writing
  • journalism
  • communication studies
  • advertising

Postgraduate courses in advertising are also widely available.

You might be able to get into this job with a degree in an unrelated subject. For example, if you have a degree in biochemistry or law, you may be able to find work in the marketing department of a larger scientific research company or law firm.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply for an apprenticeship, for example:

  • Junior Advertising Creative Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Content Creator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Advertising Creative Level 6 Apprenticeship, leading to a professional qualification

These can take up to 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Other ways in

Volunteering

Work experience could give you a better understanding of the role. You would also make contacts who might be of help when you look for paid work in advertising.

You could try:

  • volunteering
  • internships
  • temporary jobs

Social media sites like LinkedIn can be a useful way to make contact with companies about potential opportunities.

Apply directly

You can apply to agencies directly if you have the skills and knowledge needed for this job, such as:

  • creativity
  • writing skills
  • business sense
Other routes

If you have a degree, you can apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an advertising agency.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

You could showcase your skills by creating your own online blog or website. You'll also need to develop a portfolio of your work to show to potential employers.

You could enter the D&AD New Blood competition, which is for students and recent graduates who are not already employed in a creative role. It gives you the opportunity to work on a real client brief and promote your work.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming an advertising copywriter from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA).

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for advertising copywriter. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Market researcher

You can get into this job through:

College

You could do a college course, which may be useful when looking for a job.

Courses include:

  • customer service
  • principles of marketing
  • T Level in Marketing
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship to get into this career. Examples include:

  • Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Customer Service Specialist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Multi-channel Marketer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Other ways in

Volunteering

Charities often recruit volunteers to help with market research activities. This could give you valuable experience when applying for paid jobs. You can find opportunities on sites like Do It.

Apply directly

You could apply directly for jobs. Experience in sales, marketing, call centre work or customer service may give you an advantage. Employers will be interested in your personality, your enthusiasm and your communication skills.

Other routes

You can do courses in market research skills through The Market Research Society. These can give you a good insight into the role and may help you get into this career.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

Vacancies for market researchers are very often part time. Advertised rates of pay may be listed as full-time equivalent (FTE). Your actual pay will depend on the number of hours worked.

Further information

You'll find more advice about working in market research through The Market Research Society.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for market researcher. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Marketing executive

You can get into this job through:

University

You could study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • marketing communications
  • digital marketing
  • advertising
  • business and management

Marketing companies will also take on graduates in other subjects.

Some degree courses are accredited by the The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

With a degree you could apply to join a company's graduate marketing training scheme.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a college course to help you get a job as a trainee marketing executive.

Courses include:

  • principles of marketing
  • applied marketing
  • digital marketing and analytics
  • T Level in Marketing
  • T Level in Digital Software Development
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this role by applying for an apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships include:

  • Multi-channel Marketer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Marketing Executive Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Digital Marketer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could join a company's marketing department as an administrator or assistant. You could then work your way up to become a marketing executive, digital marketer or SEO specialist through training and promotion.

Volunteering

You could get work experience and marketing skills by volunteering for a charity and helping with their social media and events communications.

Look for opportunities on sites like:

  • Do IT
  • NCVO
Apply directly

You can apply directly to employers if you've got business and marketing skills. You may get these from working in jobs like sales, customer service or public relations. Some employers may ask for a degree qualification though it's not always essential.

Other routes

You can do professional marketing, digital marketing and communications qualifications, that may help boost your job prospects, through:

  • The Chartered Institute of Marketing
  • Data and Marketing Association
  • Chartered Institute of Public Relations

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

Developing your own online presence or 'brand' can be useful to raise your profile with potential employers. You could:

  • create a blog or podcast
  • set up your own website
  • network with marketing influencers or high profile companies through social media channels
Further information

You can find out more about becoming a marketing executive from The Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for marketing executive. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Advertising account planner

You can get into this job through:

University

You could study for a degree in a subject like:

  • advertising and marketing
  • data science or statistics
  • communication and media studies
  • business management
  • psychology

Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can during your studies.

Your university careers service can help you find work experience, internship and placement opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Advertising and Media Executive Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with an advertising agency.

This takes up to 2 years to complete and combines on-the-job training with study.

You would then do further training while you work to become a junior account planner.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You may be able to join an agency as a advertising media planner or data analyst.

As your experience grows and with further training on the job, you could move into account planning.

Volunteering

Work experience could give you a better understanding of the role. You would also make contacts who might be of help when you look for paid work in advertising.

You could try:

  • volunteering
  • internships
  • temporary jobs

Social media sites like LinkedIn can be a useful way to make contact with agencies about potential opportunities.

Employers will be keen to hear about any experience you have in creative media, marketing, data analysis or sales.

Other routes

If you have a degree, you could apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an advertising agency.

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) or the Account Planning Group (APG) for professional development opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in advertising from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) and the Account Planning Group (APG).

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for advertising account planner. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Advertising account executive

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like:

  • advertising and marketing
  • communication and media studies
  • business management
  • psychology

Postgraduate courses in advertising are also widely available.

Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can during your studies.

Your university careers service can help you find work experience, internship and placement opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills needed to get a trainee position with an advertising agency.

Courses include:

  • professional marketing
  • business administration
  • T Level in Marketing
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on an Advertising and Media Executive Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This can take up to 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You might be able to start in a junior position at an advertising agency, for example as an admin assistant.

You could then work your way up through on-the-job training with a professional body, and promotion.

Volunteering

Work experience could give you a better understanding of the role. You would also make contacts who might be of help when you look for paid work in advertising.

You could try:

  • volunteering
  • internships
  • temporary jobs

Social media sites like LinkedIn can be a useful way to make contact with companies about potential opportunities.

Other routes

If you have a degree, you can apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an advertising agency.

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) for professional development and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can learn more about a career as an account executive from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA).

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for advertising account executive. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

8 for this job

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Other qualifications

QualificationTypeLevel
MarketingT Level3
Digital Marketing & Communication Foundation DegreeHigher technical0
Certificate in HE Digital MarketingHigher technical4
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Marketing Management for EnglandHigher technical4
FdA Fashion Marketing & CommunicationHigher technical5

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • discusses business methods, products or services and targets customer group with employer or client to identify marketing requirements
  • collates and interprets findings of market research and presents results to clients
  • through market research, discusses possible changes that need to be made in terms of design, price, packaging, promotion etc
  • develops digital marketing strategies, such as the use of social media, to promote products, brands or services and presents options to the client
  • briefs advertising team on client requirements, monitors the progress of advertising campaigns and liaises with client on potential modifications

Skills

  • perform market research
  • identify customer's needs
  • analyse consumer buying trends
  • develop professional network
  • manage budgets
  • coordinate advertising campaigns
  • implement marketing strategies
  • implement sales strategies
  • manage staff
  • meet expectations of target audience
  • brainstorm ideas
  • collaborate in the development of marketing strategies
  • create advertisements
  • identify new business opportunities

Knowledge

  • advertising techniques
  • marketing principles
  • product comprehension
  • copyright legislation
  • customer service
  • sales strategies
  • channel marketing
  • communication principles

Suits people who like

  • Leading and persuading
  • Organising and following procedures

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for business and public service associate professionals, a group of 26 jobs that includes advertising and marketing associate professionals.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 1.2%about 26,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 20351.1 millionincluding people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

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