Our directory of media buying agencies in the US is evaluated using five core ranking criteria and reviewed by a team of 12 industry experts, backed by more than 480 verified client reviews. This methodology provides a clear, credible way to identify the right media buying partner.
Organic rankings are determined by five factors: top services, reviews, portfolio, awards/press, and team expertise. Sponsored listings pay for a placement that appears above organic positions. Sponsorship does not affect star ratings or review content - read more on our methodology page.
We deliver all-inclusive digital marketing services for restoration, abatement, and home service companies in the US and Canada. You run the business, we'll handle the marketing strategy and execution...
Top Services:
- Digital Strategy
- Web Design
- UI/UX Design
- Web Development
- CRO
- Show more
- Location
- Southington, Connecticut
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Your business can't afford to wait for results. You need a marketing partner with the chops and moxie to chase them down. We're ready when you are. We illuminate the solution your competition never saw coming. As your partner, we have robust and adaptable paths to success with well-grounded, ready-to-grow...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- Content Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Media Buying
- Show more
- Location
- Portland, Oregon
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
Allora Media empowers small businesses by capturing authentic, real-time content of their teams and services in action. We handle everythingfrom on-site filming and professional editing to curating and scheduling posts across multiple platforms. Our streamlined approach allows businesses to focus on what they...
Top Services:
- Social Media Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Creative Services
- Graphic Design
- Video Production
- Show more
- Location
- Southington, Connecticut
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
Golden Digital is your bolt-on, expert Shopify and web design team for ecommerce. We partner with small to medium-sized ecommerce brands that have achieved product-market fit, supporting teams of 1 to 25 and annual sales between $500k and $10m. Our clients gain access to a level of web and Shopify design...
Top Services:
- eCommerce Development
- Web Design
- Web Development
- CRO
- PPC
- Show more
- Location
- Norristown, Pennsylvania
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
- Portfolios Count
- 7 Projects Listed
We are a leading multicultural strategic branding agency specializing in creating a brands digital footprint, innovative communication engagements, and comprehensive community outreach strategies...
Top Services:
- Digital Services
- Graphic Design
- Branding
- Creative Services
- SEO
- Show more
- Location
- Ewa Beach, Hawaii
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
- Portfolios Count
- 4 Projects Listed
Spark Climb is the only growth hacking agency that enables brands to leverage cutting-edge technology in their social media branding and growth strategies...
Top Services:
- Media Buying
- Social Media Marketing
- Content Marketing
- PPC
- Digital Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
Make smarter campaign decisions with real-time insights...
Top Services:
- Market Research
- Digital Strategy
- Media Buying
- Digital Marketing
- Video Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
Notorious Creative Agency builds client acquisition systems. Paid ads on Meta and Google, conversion-focused landing pages, a fully configured CRM, automated nurture and retargeting, and AI appointment setting that contacts every lead in under five minutes, 24/7 assembled into one owned pipeline...
Top Services:
- Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- Media Buying
- PPC
- CRO
- Show more
- Location
- Bushkill, Pennsylvania
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Brandwoven is reshaping the way brands navigate the ever-changing marketplace landscape. We invest in the growth of dynamic, product-based brands by providing full-service consulting and management solutions. Our adaptive strategies empower brands to excel and drive growth...
Top Services:
- Business Consulting
- SEO
- Market Research
- CRO
- Advertising
- Show more
- Location
- Portland, Oregon
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
Growth Lab is an all-women performance marketing agency built on a simple structure: four senior directors, one per channel, and one of them runs your account personally. No junior handoffs, no templated playbooks. We manage Google Ads, paid social, and lifecycle email for women-owned businesses in ecommerce...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- PPC
- Social Media Marketing
- Email Marketing
- CRO
- Show more
- Location
- Herriman, Utah
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000

Web Tonic
VerifiedVerified by the DesignRush team for authenticity and credibility.Web Tonic won Best PPC Campaign at the Global Agency Awards 2026, running paid campaigns under its S3 Methodology framework. The agency also migrates existing campaigns from a client's previous agency, keeping what works and rebuilding what doesn't...
Top Services:
- SEO
- PPC
- Advertising
- Digital Marketing
- Media Buying
- Show more
- Location
- San Francisco, California
- Number of Employees
- 250 - 499
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
- Portfolios Count
- 36 Projects Listed
Pixel Theory is the performance marketing agency for CPG brands that prioritizes your P&L over platform dashboards. While most agencies chase vanity metrics like ROAS, we build financial growth models focused on contribution margin and true profitability. We act as your strategic partner, tying every dollar...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Business Consulting
- Advertising
- eCommerce
- Web Design
- Show more
- Location
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $25,000 - $50,000
- Portfolios Count
- 1 Project Listed
Digital Marketing Charlotte is a full service digital marketing agency that provides web design, PPC, SEO, & consulting services to small to mid-sized businesses. We primarily work with businesses right here in Charlotte but are open to taking on clients nationwide. We have but two priorities when it comes to...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- PPC
- Web Design
- CRO
- Show more
- Location
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Our dream team video production crew are award-winning seasoned pros. Once weve produced your commercial we zip code target using research demographics, contextual signals, and streaming preferences to triangulate and build our clients audiences...
Top Services:
- Video Production
- Branding
- Digital Services
- Video Marketing
- Advertising
- Show more
- Location
- Derry, New Hampshire
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
EARY Digital is a San Antonio, TX digital marketing agency built for businesses that refuse to be ignored. We specialize in custom website design, search engine optimization (SEO), video production, drone tours, content creation, and full-scale digital marketing all under one roof...
Top Services:
- Digital Services
- Branding
- Web Design
- UI/UX Design
- Web Development
- Show more
- Location
- Boerne, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Savvy Marketers is a global market research and consumer insights partner with 14+ years of experience. Trusted by J&J, Kimberly-Clark, Bayer, Merck, PepsiCo, Church&Dwight, and JPMorgan Chase. Our AI-powered platform combines biometric research, social listening, proprietary panels, and advanced segmentation...
Top Services:
- Market Research
- Big Data Analytics
- Social Media Marketing
- Video Production
- Graphic Design
- Show more
- Location
- Princeton, New Jersey
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
We create data-driven marketing strategies tailored to your business to boost visibility, engagement, and conversions...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- PPC
- Branding
- Digital Strategy
- Show more
- Location
- Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Tandem Medical Marketing builds Google Ads, SEO, and Meta campaigns exclusively for medical practices and healthcare organizations. No generalists. No learning curves. Just specialists who already know your patients...
Top Services:
- PPC
- CRO
- Media Buying
- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- Show more
- Location
- Sacramento, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Wild Posting, Billboards & Digital Media Buying for Music & Culture" 66 chars, or "Out-of-Home & Digital Advertising for Music & Entertainment...
Top Services:
- Media Buying
- Advertising
- Creative Services
- Location
- Inglewood, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
- Portfolios Count
- 2 Projects Listed
Wild Posting® is an out-of-home (OOH) advertising company specializing in high-impact, street-level advertising and guerrilla marketing. The company provides Wild Posting®, billboards, 8-Sheets, bus bench advertising, mobile billboards, in-theater advertising, and other guerrilla advertising formats for...
Top Services:
- Print Design
- Advertising
- Media Buying
- Event Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Inglewood, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
- Portfolios Count
- 1 Project Listed
Thumbvista, since 2012, uses programmatic advertising tools such as geofencing and audience data to allow advertisers to reach the right audience based on location, time and interest...
Top Services:
- Design Services
- Digital Strategy
- Digital Services
- Digital Marketing
- Video Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
We're Envisionit, a full-service digital agency. Our team combines digital marketing expertise with creative design and cutting-edge technology to drive growth and maximize your ROI. Let us help you envision your success!...
Top Services:
- Social Media Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Media Buying
- Creative Services
- Show more
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $155/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $50,000 & Up
We are Kinetic319, a dedicated media agency committed to helping small and mid-sized businesses thrive within their respective industries. With a focus on building fruitful partnerships and prioritizing measurable results, we propel your business forward with precision and dedication...
Top Services:
- Media Buying
- Advertising
- Digital Marketing
- eCommerce
- CRO
- Show more
- Location
- Denver, Colorado
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $155/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
A strategic and creative partner who provide smarter answers for today's marketing and business challenges...
Top Services:
- Advertising
- Digital Marketing
- Public Relations
- Media Buying
- Show more
- Location
- Houston, Texas
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $160/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $25,000 - $50,000
Cohort.digital serves as the media buying arm for other ad agencies, executing paid campaigns on their behalf without replacing the agency relationship. The team also works directly with businesses, either running media planning independently or alongside an in-house marketing staff...
Top Services:
- Media Buying
- Digital Marketing
- Advertising
- Location
- Topeka, Kansas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $165/hr
Many banks and credit unions think brand is about great service. The strongest ones know its about an authentic, ownable promise built from the inside out.We help financial brands build competitive advantage by aligning employer brand and market positioning (public-facing brand) to deliver ROI...
Top Services:
- Branding
- Public Relations
- Digital Marketing
- Creative Services
- Direct Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Topeka, Kansas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $165/hr
- Portfolios Count
- 4 Projects Listed
From Maine to nationwide, marketing without limitations...
Top Services:
- SEO
- Social Media Marketing
- PPC
- Advertising
- Digital Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Portland, Maine
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $165/hr
Bloom Ads Global Media Group is a full service media strategy, planning and buying agency. We believe in customer and EMPLOYEE first and encourage diversity in thought and creativity. We embrace our inner and outer family with 100% encouragement and foster a supportive environment within the Bloom community...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Media Buying
- Location
- Woodland, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $165/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
- Portfolios Count
- 2 Projects Listed
Webistry drives revenue with data-driven paid media, experimentation, and CRO...
Top Services:
- Digital Services
- Web Design
- Web Development
- Creative Services
- UI/UX Design
- Show more
- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $165/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
- Portfolios Count
- 3 Projects Listed
Offering Branding, Digital, And Music Marketing Services. We launch brands and make good companies better. We're a full service advertising agency. Full Service means that well do whatever it takes to get your brand where you want it to be...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Web Design
- Social Media Marketing
- Branding
- Public Relations
- Show more
- Location
- Pasadena, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $170/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $25,000 - $50,000
- Portfolios Count
- 3 Projects Listed
We believe thoughtfully designed customer experiences informed by well-defined brands create moments worth remembering and sharing and those extraordinary moments get, keep and grow more brand lovers for our clients. And as your marketing partner, we'll keep you informed on how those marketing dollars are...
Top Services:
- Creative Services
- Branding
- Video Production
- Advertising
- Media Buying
- Show more
- Location
- Chandler, Arizona
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $170/hr

Ruckus
Award WinnerRecipient of a Best Design Award for outstanding work.Ruckus is a full-service agency that powers game-changing companies and global influencers with services such as: advertising, digital marketing, branding, video editing, and many more to scale up your business...
Top Services:
- Branding
- Web Design
- Video Production
- Digital Marketing
- Advertising
- Show more
- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $50,000 & Up
- Portfolios Count
- 4 Projects Listed
S&G is an award-winning content marketing agency that specializes in creating branded content experiences for companies looking to differentiate themselves, become thought leaders, and connect with customers in ways that generate tangible results. With a team of content marketing experts from reputable media...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Public Relations
- Video Production
- Video Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Miami, Florida
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $25,000 - $50,000
- Portfolios Count
- 3 Projects Listed
At Celtic, we challenge the ordinary, disrupt expectations, and craft unforgettable marketing strategies. With over 30 years of expertise in B2B industries like agriculture, chemistry, food, manufacturing, and pet, we turn bold ideas into tangible success...
Top Services:
- Advertising
- Digital Marketing
- Creative Services
- Content Marketing
- Digital Services
- Show more
- Location
- Park Ridge, Illinois
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $50,000 & Up
- Portfolios Count
- 4 Projects Listed
Part creative agency. Part media agency. 100% backed by data...
Top Services:
- Design Services
- Video Production
- Branding
- Creative Services
- Digital Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Rochester, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $25,000 - $50,000
Power Digital is an award-winning, data-driven marketing company that is nationally recognized for its ability to combine the best of art and science. As a full-service firm, Power Digital is hyper-focused on helping brands scale using data and analytics to guide strategy. Leveraging their team of the...
Top Services:
- Digital Services
- Creative Services
- SEO
- Social Media Marketing
- Video Production
- Show more
- Location
- San Diego, California
- Number of Employees
- 250 - 499
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Elasticity demonstrates courage in our everyday interactions in partnering with the challenger brands of the world, stretching boundaries in order to break through the mass of mediocrity all to create solutions that not only solve our clients unique business challenges. We do it in a way that positions brands...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Branding
- Digital Strategy
- Business Consulting
- Advertising
- Show more
- Location
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $25,000 - $50,000
Award-winning, financially-driven performance marketing agency. We are the market leader in delivering financial results through marketing, media and design...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- PPC
- CRO
- Media Buying
- Email Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Welcome is a full service agency delivering brand, strategy, social media, digital, marketing, content, technology & development, data solutions - 100% in-house & under one roof. Our award winning teams craft integrated solutions that drive growth, impact & measurable success. You are Welcome...
Top Services:
- Digital Strategy
- CRM Consulting
- Branding
- Creative Services
- Web Design
- Show more
- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
The HOW Agency serves as the digital extension of the 5W network of agencies, representing a comprehensive digital enterprise born from the intersection of discourse and culture. Our mission is to foster brand expansion, wield conversational influence, and, ultimately, deliver measurable growth for our...
Top Services:
- Digital Services
- Digital Marketing
- Media Buying
- Social Media Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
Geletka+ is an full-service, independent, creative-first agency based in Chicago. We help brands move faster and make a bigger impact by cutting unnecessary process and building integrated teams around the work that matters most...
Top Services:
- Branding
- Creative Services
- Product Design
- Package Design
- Mobile App Development
- Show more
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $25,000 - $50,000
Forum Communications is a full service strategic marketing agency focused on helping clients find their voice in a crowded marketplace...
Top Services:
- Digital Strategy
- Branding
- Creative Services
- Design Services
- Logo Design
- Show more
- Location
- Gainesville, Georgia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
The Remarkable is a boutique growth marketing agency pairing fractional CMO strategy with hands-on execution for subscription, PLG, and AI companies. One senior team runs paid media, AI performance creative, conversion optimization, and lifecycle marketing as a single compounding system - every test creates...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- AEO
- PPC
- Media Buying
- Show more
- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $25,000 - $50,000
Sakura Media is a Los Angeles-area AI agency for startups and small businesses. We use AI to plan, create and run advertising and lead generation that would normally take a full team, so smaller companies can compete with bigger budgets. Every campaign gets human review, and everything lives in accounts you...
Top Services:
- Branding
- Creative Services
- Video Production
- Web Development
- Media Buying
- Show more
- Location
- Redondo Beach, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
TEC Direct Media is a media agency in Chicago. We plan and buy media for artists, brands and agencies so they can generate awareness, acquire new customers and drive sales...
Top Services:
- Media Buying
- Advertising
- Digital Marketing
- Video Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $180/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
- Portfolios Count
- 12 Projects Listed
Katava Marketing is a full-service digital marketing agency helping businesses nationwide grow through strategy, branding, website design, SEO, content development, and paid media management...
Top Services:
- Web Development
- SEO
- Digital Marketing
- PPC
- Managed Services
- Show more
- Location
- Chester, New Jersey
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $180/hr
- Portfolios Count
- 1 Project Listed
Hive Digital - Marketing a Better World - is an award-winning digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, AI search optimization, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), paid media, and digital strategy...
Top Services:
- SEO
- PPC
- Social Media Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Digital Strategy
- Show more
- Location
- Holly Springs, North Carolina
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $185/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Phase 3 Marketing and Communications is an integrated marketing services company providing solutions from ideation to execution. Our mission is to simplify life for marketers by delivering the most-needed marketing services in-house, under one roof...
Top Services:
- Branding
- Public Relations
- Media Buying
- Web Design
- Digital Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Number of Employees
- 100 - 249
- Average Hourly Rate
- $185/hr
NOVUS is an independent media agency that architects growth with purpose where every media decision is intentional, measurable, and built for impact...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Media Buying
- Social Media Marketing
- Video Marketing
- Advertising
- Show more
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $185/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $50,000 & Up

Outright
Award WinnerRecipient of a Best Design Award for outstanding work.Outright plans and buys media for both consumer brands and nonprofits, working at the intersection of advocacy and commercial marketing. Clients span Marriott, Adidas, McDonald's, and organizations like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation...
Top Services:
- Branding
- Web Design
- Video Production
- Digital Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Show more
- Location
- Washington DC, Washington DC
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $190/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
- Portfolios Count
- 15 Projects Listed
Media Buying Agencies by City
Media Buying Agencies by State
Why companies trust DesignRush
Every agency is independently vetted before it can be listed or ranked
Some agencies pay for sponsored placement, clearly labeled and held to the same vetting standards.
Media Buying Agency FAQs
What services do media buying agencies in the United States provide?
These types of agencies help brands with:
- Performance-focused digital campaigns: High-demand campaigns across Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Search, and CTV, prioritizing short-form video and measurable, creative-led performance.
- Full-funnel paid media tied to creative-led campaigns: Roughly 60% to 70% of clients bundle creative and media for faster cycles, fewer handoffs, and performance-built creative.
- Programmatic and CTV packages: Growing rapidly, with challenger brands investing $15K to $150K per month for scalable reach, automated targeting, and measurable lift.
- Paid social advertising: Cross-platform campaigns delivering 1% to 2% average conversion rates, with top performers exceeding 3% on Meta and TikTok.
- Audience & competitive analysis: Audience research and competitor benchmarking to guide budget allocation and identify the highest-ROI channels.
- Analytics & performance reporting: Real-time KPI tracking, A/B testing, and optimization across impressions, CPM, CTR, conversions, ROAS, and attribution paths.
How much do media buying services in the US cost?
Most media buying agencies charge between $100 and $150 per hour. They rely on a mix of retainers, spend-based fees, and setup costs, depending on scope and complexity.
These numbers are based on industry research and expert insights from Colormatics:
| Fee Type | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
| Monthly retainer | $1,500 to $10,000 | Based on complexity and channel mix |
| % of media spend | 10% to 20% | Scales with spend and performance scope |
| One-time setup fee | $1,500 to $3,000 | Tracking, pixels, dashboards, QA |
| Hourly rate | $100 to $150+ | Specialized strategy or audits |
Beyond agency fees, overall campaign budgets vary significantly based on scale, channels, and timelines. The table below outlines common budget ranges for different types of media buying engagements.
| Campaign Type | Budget Range | Typical Scope |
| Pilot campaigns | ~$25,000 | 1 to 2 platforms, short run |
| Integrated campaigns | $50,000 to $300,000 | Multi-channel, performance tracking |
| Large/national campaigns | Up to $500,000 | 12 to 24 weeks, heavy media mix |
When can clients expect ROI from paid media campaigns?
ROI timelines vary by channel based on learning cycles, inventory dynamics, and optimization requirements. This table outlines when early performance signals usually appear and when results tend to stabilize.
| Channel | Early Signals | Stable Performance |
| Paid social | 7 to 21 days | 30 to 45 days |
| Google Search | 3 to 10 days (with volume) | 8 to 12 weeks |
| YouTube | 5 to 10 days | 3 to 4 weeks |
| CTV/Programmatic | 4 to 8 weeks | 10 to 12 weeks |
What are the typical timelines for media buying projects from planning to launch?
Project timelines depend on campaign scale, creative complexity, and channel mix. These are typical expectations from strategy and setup through launch and ongoing optimization.
| Campaign Size | Planning & Setup | Build & QA | Optimization Cadence | Total Timeline |
| Small-scale | 1 to 2 weeks | 3 to 5 days | Weekly | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Mid-size | 2 to 3 weeks | 1 week | 2-3× weekly | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Large/Multi-channel | 3 to 5 weeks | 1 to 2 weeks | Daily | 12 weeks to 6 months |
What KPIs should your business track when working with these agencies?
When working with a media buying agency in the US, KPIs should be selected to reflect both media efficiency and business impact, ensuring performance is measured beyond surface-level engagement.
Key KPIs to monitor include:
- Impressions, reach, frequency, and CPM to assess delivery efficiency and audience exposure
- Click-through rate (CTR), cost per click (CPC), engagement rate, and video completion rate to evaluate creative and audience relevance
- Conversion rate, cost per acquisition (CPA), return on ad spend (ROAS), and customer acquisition cost (CAC) to measure profitability and scalability
- Attribution coverage, assisted conversions, and incrementality to understand paid media’s true contribution across channels
- Budget pacing, spend utilization, and testing velocity to gauge operational discipline and optimization effectiveness












































