Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Media Planner I Salary in the United States

How much does a Media Planner I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Media Planner I in the United States is $56,090 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Media Planner I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $62,968
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,790 to $59,690
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,875
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Media Planner I Salaries

A Media Planner I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Media Planner Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Media Planner I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Media Planner I (0-2 years): $56,081
  • Marketing Media Planning Specialist II (2-4 years): $67,721
  • Marketing Media Buying Specialist III (4-7 years): $87,793
  • Marketing Media Planning Specialist IV (7+ years): $115,358
  • Media Supervisor (7+ years): $102,023
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Media Planner I0-2 years$56,081
Marketing Media Planning Specialist II2-4 years$67,721
Marketing Media Buying Specialist III4-7 years$87,793
Marketing Media Planning Specialist IV7+ years$115,358
Media Supervisor7+ years$102,023
View as Graph

How Do Media Planner I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Media Planner Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,090.
  • California: $61,890.
  • Massachusetts: $61,090.

Top Paying Cities for Media Planner Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $70,790
  • San Francisco: $69,990
  • Oakland: $68,490

Media Planner I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Media Planner I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $62,683. While startup companies pay approximate $53,023.

Media Planner I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $53,023
Growth Stage 51~500 $56,078
Established 501~5000 $60,528
Enterprise 5000+ $62,683

Media Planner I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Media Planner I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Media Planner positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Media Planner I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Media Planner I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$67,308$32.020%
Pharmaceuticals$67,308$32.020%
Software & Networking$67,308$32.020%
Biotechnology$64,503$31.015%
Internet$64,503$31.015%

Media Planner I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Media Planner I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$51,790
Average $56,090/year
$59,690
$4,316
Average $4,674/month
$4,974
$996
Average $1,079/week
$1,148
$25
Average $27/hour
$29
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $59,690 $4,974 $1,148 $29
Average $56,090 $4,674 $1,079 $27
25th Percentile $51,790 $4,316 $996 $25

Most common benefits for Media Planner I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Media Planner I

Here are companies hiring for Media Planner I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Media Planner I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Media Planner I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Media Planner I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Media Planner I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Media Planner I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does a Media Planner earn?

A Media Planner earns between £54,790 and £70,290 annually, with a median salary of £61,790. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibilities within the role.

3. How do I get a job in media planning?

To get a job in media planning, you typically need a bachelor's degree in marketing or advertising and 2-4 years of related experience. Strong research skills and a curiosity to learn are essential. The salary for a Media Planner ranges from $54,790 to $70,290, with a median salary of $61,790, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this field.

4. Is media planning a stressful job?

Media planning can be a demanding job, often requiring over 50 hours a week to create proposals under tight deadlines. While the advertising industry is inherently stressful, media planners can earn a salary ranging from $54,790 to $70,290, making the effort worthwhile when they see their strategies succeed for clients.

5. What is the highest salary for a Media Planner?

The highest salary for a Media Planner is ₹70,290. In India, Media Planner salaries typically range from ₹54,790 to ₹70,290, with a mid-salary of ₹61,790. This reflects the compensation for professionals with varying levels of experience, indicating competitive pay in the industry.

6. Do you need a degree to be a planner?

Employers typically prefer Planners to have a bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field. Proficiency in resource planning and scheduling software is essential, along with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel. The salary for a Media Planner ranges from $54,790 to $70,290, with a median salary of $61,790.

7. How much do planners make in the US?

In the US, Media Planners earn between $54,790 and $70,290 annually, with a median salary of $61,790. This reflects a range where top earners can make significantly more, but the average salary for planners is around $69,591.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst