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Media Planning Analyst III Salary in the United States

How much does a Media Planning Analyst III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Media Planning Analyst III in the United States is $87,794 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a Media Planning Analyst III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $100,372
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $80,558 to $94,378
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,970

Key Factors That Influence Media Planning Analyst III Salaries

A Media Planning Analyst III'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Media Planning Analyst III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Media Planning Analyst III'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 Planning Analyst I (0-2 years): $56,083
  • Media Planning Analyst II (2-4 years): $67,727
  • Media Planning Analyst III (4-7 years): $87,794
  • Media Planning Analyst IV (7+ years): $115,361
  • Media Supervisor (7+ years): $101,844
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Media Planning Analyst I0-2 years$56,083
Media Planning Analyst II2-4 years$67,727
Media Planning Analyst III4-7 years$87,794
Media Planning Analyst IV7+ years$115,361
Media Supervisor7+ years$101,844

Top Paying Cities for Media Planning Analyst III

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: $110,735
  • San Francisco: $109,522
  • Oakland: $107,214

What Skills Can Increase a Media Planning Analyst III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 6.42% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Lead Generation (Mentioned in 3.17% Job Postings): In marketing, lead generation (/ˈliːd/) is the initiation of consumer interest or enquiry into products or services of a business. Leads can be created for purposes such as list building, e-newsletter list acquisition or for sales leads. The methods for generating leads typically fall under the umbrella of advertising, but may also include non-paid sources such as organic search engine results or referrals from existing customers. Leads may come from various sources or activities, for example, digitally via the Internet, through personal referrals, through telephone calls either by the company or telemarketers, through advertisements, and events. A 2015 study found that 89% of respondents cited email as the most-used channel for generating leads, followed by content marketing, search engine, and finally events. A study from 2014 found that direct traffic, search engines, and web referrals were the three most popular online channels for lead generation, accounting for 93% of leads.
  • Business Development (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Business development entails tasks and processes to develop and implement growth opportunities within and between organizations. It is a subset of the fields of business, commerce and organizational theory. Business development is the creation of long-term value for an organization from customers, markets, and relationships. Business development can be taken to mean any activity by either a small or large organization, non-profit or for-profit enterprise which serves the purpose of ‘developing’ the business in some way. In addition, business development activities can be done internally or externally by a business development consultant. External business development can be facilitated through Planning Systems, which are put in place by governments to help small businesses. In addition, reputation building has also proven to help facilitate business development.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 6.42%
Lead Generation 3.17%
Business Development 1.46%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Media Planning Analyst III's salary.

  • Budgeting: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Campaign Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Microsoft Office: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Budgeting $100,085
14%
Campaign Management $93,062
6%
Microsoft Office $92,184
5%

Media Planning Analyst III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Media Planning Analyst III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $98,280. While startup companies pay approximate $83,143.

Media Planning Analyst III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $83,143
Growth Stage 51~500 $87,933
Established 501~5000 $94,907
Enterprise 5000+ $98,280

Media Planning Analyst III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Media Planning Analyst III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Media Planning Analyst positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Media Planning Analyst III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Media Planning Analyst III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$131,691$63.050%

How Education impacts an Media Planning Analyst III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Media Planning Analyst III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Media Planning Analyst III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $87,847 and $95,466.

Media Planning Analyst III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Media Planning Analyst III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 4.8%
Associates 3.4%
Bachelors 84.7%
Masters 6.3%
Doctorate 0.2%

Media Planning Analyst III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Media Planning Analyst III'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 August 01, 2026
$80,558
Average $87,794/year
$94,378
$6,713
Average $7,316/month
$7,865
$1,549
Average $1,688/week
$1,815
$39
Average $42/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $94,378 $7,865 $1,815 $45
Average $87,794 $7,316 $1,688 $42
25th Percentile $80,558 $6,713 $1,549 $39

Media Planning Analyst III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Media Planning Analyst III, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Media Planning Analyst III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Advertising Coordinator IV $111,801 27%
Media Planning Analyst IV $115,361 31%

Most common benefits for Media Planning Analyst III

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

Common company salaries for Media Planning Analyst III

Here are companies hiring for Media Planning Analyst III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Media Planning Analyst III

1. Where can a Media Planning Analyst III earn the most?

A Media Planning Analyst III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Media Planning Analyst III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Media Planning Analyst III is $110,735.

2. What is the highest pay for Media Planning Analyst III?

The highest pay for Media Planning Analyst III is $100,372.

3. What is the lowest pay for Media Planning Analyst III?

The lowest pay for Media Planning Analyst III is $73,970.

4. What are the responsibilities of Media Planning Analyst III?

Responsible for the planning, execution, and optimization of media plans across multiple media channels. Coordinates the client's overall marketing strategy, tactics, message, and objectives. Uses analytics to design innovative strategies to ensure the client's marketing campaigns are accurate, data-driven, and reach the target audience. Conducts research on new media strategies, platforms, and channels to utilize for future campaigns and ongoing campaign evolvement. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Media Planning Analyst III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Media Planning Analyst III roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

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.

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