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Account Director, Account Manager
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Advertising account executives are the link between ad agencies and their clients. Their work varies depending on the agency and the type of account. But in general, they:
They may also be expected to bring in new business.
Advertising account executives usually work in offices in large cities. They may need to travel from time to time. Account executives may increasingly have opportunities to work remotely.
Dealing with difficult clients or unexpected challenges can be stressful. Advertising account executives may also need to work long, irregular hours to meet deadlines.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Advertising managers
2023 OaSIS: 10022.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Advertising account executives need:
They should enjoy the world of advertising, as well as consulting with people and analyzing client needs.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 107 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 25, 2025 and Oct 08, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Prepare written material such as reports, briefs, website content | 59 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Answer written and oral inquiries | 55 |
| Tasks: Develop marketing strategies | 52 |
| Tasks: Assist in the preparation of brochures, reports, newsletters and other material | 51 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 50 |
| Tasks: Gather, research and prepare communications material | 49 |
| Tasks: Co-ordinate special publicity events and promotions | 48 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 46 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 45 |
| Tasks: Conduct online marketing, E-commerce and Website promotions | 43 |
Advertising account executives specialize in marketing and communications. They need computer software skills, related experience, and related post-secondary education. This could include a 2-year diploma in advertising or marketing or a bachelor’s degree in commerce, management, business administration, psychology, or sociology. Recommended courses include marketing, market research, economics, statistics, accounting, communication arts, and consumer psychology.
Some employers may require a master’s degree for higher positions (for example, a master of business administration, or experience in a certain industry, such as retail, insurance, or health care).
Suitable post-secondary programs are offered across Alberta. For information, see the Marketing Manager occupational profile.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Advertising account executives work at ad agencies and in the advertising departments of large companies.
Most account executives start their careers in junior positions. Advancement usually means dealing with higher-profile clients and bigger campaigns. In agencies, successful account executives may move up to account manager, supervisor, or account director positions.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
2016 NOC: 1123
78.2% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Advertising account executives may be paid a salary or work on a contract basis.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $21.63 | $71.86 | $42.69 | $41.12 |
| Overall | $25.48 | $84.63 | $50.27 | $48.08 |
| Top | $26.63 | $107.28 | $58.88 | $57.69 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $99,752 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $109,883 |
| Manufacturing | $95,484 |
| Wholesale Trade | $99,814 |
| Retail Trade | $98,968 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $63,286 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $79,344 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $95,592 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $109,100 |
| Educational Services | $91,905 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $94,780 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $78,506 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $91,281 |
| Public Administration | $119,005 |
Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA) website: acaweb.ca
Institute of Communications Agencies website: www.lbbonline.com/companies/institute-of-communications-agencies
Institute of Canadian Agencies website: theica.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 17, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
