According to U.S. Census data, the advertising and public relations industry is on a steady growth path. At approximately 148.8 billion U.S. dollars, the industry reached a record high in 2020. The significant drops in earnings in 2004 and 2009 can be tied to the general economic situation in the country at that time.
The advertising industry in the United States
The entire advertising and public relations sector in the U.S. reportedly spent around 89 billion U.S dollars in 2019. The industry, which is part of the NAICS structure under the code 5418, consists of smaller segments such as advertising agencies, PR agencies, media buying agencies, media representatives, outdoor advertising, direct mail advertising and advertising material distribution, with additional unclassified establishments falling under other related services. In 2018, Census results indicated that there were close to 38 thousand businesses categorized under this industry description, with the majority operating within advertising agency sector. Given their sheer numbers it comes as no surprise that the advertising agencies perform better in terms of payroll compared to other sub-sectors - 2018 figures put it at over 17 billion U.S. dollars. Public relations agencies ranked second, with a combined payroll amounting to 5.8 billion U.S dollars that year.
Estimated aggregate revenue of the advertising, public relations, and related service industry in the United States from 2004 to 2020
(in billion U.S. dollars)
taxable employer firms; includes advertising agencies, public relations agencies, media buying agencies, media representatives, outdoor advertising and direct mail advertising service providers, advertising material distribution services and other services related to advertising
Supplementary notes
Estimates cover taxable and tax-exempt firms. Estimates have been adjusted using results of the 2012 Economic Census where applicable. Figures have been rounded.
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US Census Bureau. (November 23, 2021). Estimated aggregate revenue of the advertising, public relations, and related service industry in the United States from 2004 to 2020 (in billion U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 16, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/183932/estimated-revenue-in-advertising-and-related-services-since-2000/
US Census Bureau. "Estimated aggregate revenue of the advertising, public relations, and related service industry in the United States from 2004 to 2020 (in billion U.S. dollars)." Chart. November 23, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 16, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/183932/estimated-revenue-in-advertising-and-related-services-since-2000/
US Census Bureau. (2021). Estimated aggregate revenue of the advertising, public relations, and related service industry in the United States from 2004 to 2020 (in billion U.S. dollars). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 16, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/183932/estimated-revenue-in-advertising-and-related-services-since-2000/
US Census Bureau. "Estimated Aggregate Revenue of The Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Service Industry in The United States from 2004 to 2020 (in Billion U.S. Dollars)." Statista, Statista Inc., 23 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/183932/estimated-revenue-in-advertising-and-related-services-since-2000/
US Census Bureau, Estimated aggregate revenue of the advertising, public relations, and related service industry in the United States from 2004 to 2020 (in billion U.S. dollars) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/183932/estimated-revenue-in-advertising-and-related-services-since-2000/ (last visited May 16, 2022)