Ad Operations Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an Ad Operations Specialist make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Ad Operations Specialist in the United States is $78,724 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, an Ad Operations Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,926
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,695 to $82,494
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,207
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View as table View as graph 25% $72,695 10% $67,207 90% $85,926 75% $82,494 $78,724 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Ad Operations Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $82,494 $6,874 $1,586 $40
Average $78,724 $6,560 $1,514 $38
25th Percentile $72,695 $6,058 $1,398 $35
Check out Ad Operations Specialist Job Openings in the United States
Specialist Operations

Forge Biologics - Columbus, OH

Investment Operations Specialist

Corporate One Federal Credit Union - Columbus, OH

Retail Operations Specialist

Russell Tobin - Columbus, OH

Card Network Operations Specialist

Sutton Bank - Columbus, OH

Search More Ad Operations Specialist Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Ad Operations Specialist Salaries

An Ad Operations Specialist'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 Ad Operations Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Ad Operations Specialist'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $67,069
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $78,446
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $89,311
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $113,724
  • Expert (over 8 years): $152,262
Levels Salary
Advertisi... Level Ad Operations Specialist$67,069
Ad Operat... Level Ad Operations Specialist$78,446
Advertisi... Level Ad Operations Specialist$89,311
Advertisi... Level Ad Operations Specialist$113,724
Advertisi... Level Ad Operations Specialist$152,262
$67,069 0 yr
$78,446 < 2 yrs
$89,311 2-4 yrs
$113,724 5-8 yrs
$152,262 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Ad Operations Specialists

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: $99,294
  • San Francisco: $98,207
  • Oakland: $96,137

What Skills Can Increase an Ad Operations Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 6.99% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Event Management (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): Setting up, designing, and hosting social and business events to boost the business's reputation and client base.
  • Digital Marketing (Mentioned in 1.39% Job Postings): Digital marketing is the marketing of products or services using digital technologies, mainly on the Internet, but also including mobile phones, display advertising, and any other digital medium. Digital marketing's development since the 1990s and 2000s has changed the way brands and businesses use technology for marketing. As digital platforms are increasingly incorporated into marketing plans and everyday life, and as people use digital devices instead of visiting physical shops, digital marketing campaigns are becoming more prevalent and efficient. Digital marketing methods such as search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), content marketing, influencer marketing, content automation, campaign marketing, data-driven marketing, e-commerce marketing, social media marketing, social media optimization, e-mail direct marketing, Display advertising, e–books, and optical disks and games are becoming more common in our advancing technology. In fact, digital marketing now extends to non-Internet channels that provide digital media, such as mobile phones (SMS and MMS), callback, and on-hold mobile ring tones. In essence, this extension to non-Internet channels helps to differentiate digital marketing from online marketing, another catch-all term for the marketing methods mentioned above, which strictly occur online.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.99%
Event Management 1.77%
Digital Marketing 1.39%
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 an Ad Operations Specialist's salary.
  • Event Management: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Guest Service: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Event Management
$93,681
19%
Guest Service
$88,958
13%
Project Management
$84,234
7%
Advertising Sales
$84,234
7%
Business Development
$84,234
7%
Team Operations
$83,447
6%
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Ad Operations Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Ad Operations Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Ad Operations Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Ad Operations Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Ad Operations Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$110,213$53.040%
Biotechnology$102,341$49.030%
Financial Services$98,405$47.025%
Software & Networking$94,468$45.020%
Telecom$90,532$44.015%

How Education impacts an Ad Operations Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Ad Operations Specialists enter the field with a Associate's Degree 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 Ad Operations Specialist with a Associate's Degree is between $72,181 and $75,067).

Ad Operations Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Ad Operations Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 7.8%
Associates 6.7%
Bachelors 75.9%
Masters 8.1%
Doctorate 0.4%
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Ad Operations Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Ad Operations Specialist'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

Salary Trends for Ad Operations Specialist

Salaries for an Ad Operations Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $73,141 in 2023 to around $73,268 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Ad Operations Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Ad Operations Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$73,141
2024
$73,687
2025
$73,268
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $73,141
2024 $73,687
2025 $73,268
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Ad Operations Specialist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Ad Operations Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Ad Operations Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Ad Operations Specialist Job

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

United States
  • iHeartMedia

    Columbus, OH

    iHeartMedia | Columbus, OH

    A leading audio company is seeking a dedicated individual to join their Custom Production team.This remote position involves proofreading audio copy, using... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Airspace

    Columbus, OH

    Airspace | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Introduction. Airspace is a tech-enabled freight forwarder that's redefining how the world's most critical packag... more

    5 Days Ago

  • AirNet II

    Columbus, OH

    AirNet II | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. AirNet II is searching for 1 Flight Follower to coordinate and control air transportation within our fleet o... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Aqua Science, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Aqua Science, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Water Treatment Field Operations Specialist. Pay. $25–$30/hour, based on experience. Additional Compensation. Commission opportunities available. Job Type.... more

    9 Days Ago

  • The Wallick Companies

    Columbus, OH

    The Wallick Companies | Columbus, OH

    Training Specialist - Affordable Housing OperationsLocation:Columbus, OHThis position will support our Affordable Housing OperationsMake a DifferenceAnd Ow... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital

    Columbus, OH

    RN

    Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Travel Rn Stepdown (Pcu) Shift. Night shift - 12 hours. Start date: 09/21/2026. End date: 12/21/2026. Duration: 13 weeks. City: Columbus. State: OH more

    17 Days Ago

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FAQ about Ad Operations Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Ad Operations Specialist?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Ad Operations Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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