Paid Media Specialist Jobs in California

Paid Media Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, entertainment, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer brands, with openings at every level from coordinator through senior strategist. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where major employers like Google, Meta, and Adobe consistently staff paid media teams across search, social, and programmatic channels. The most in-demand specialties are paid search, paid social, and performance marketing analytics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles31
Top employerInnovative Metrics
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring21
Work type67% On-site
Top industryRetail

Showing 4 of 31+ Paid Media Specialist jobs

Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Senior Manager, Digital Acquisition & Paid Media Strategy
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Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Added 1d ago
Senior Manager, Digital Acquisition & Paid Media Strategy
Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Sunnyvale, California
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
Project Management
$144k - $254k/yr
On-Site
Experience equivalent to degree accepted

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Hawke Media
Media Manager, Paid Search
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Hawke Media
Added 3d ago
Media Manager, Paid Search
Hawke Media
Santa Monica, California
Account Management
Business Development
Customer Success
$65k - $75k/yr
51-200

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Kaiser Permanente
Marketing Consultant VI, Influencer and Social Strategy Lead, Paid Media
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Kaiser Permanente
Added 5d ago
Marketing Consultant VI, Influencer and Social Strategy Lead, Paid Media
Kaiser Permanente
Pasadena, California
Consulting & Professional Services
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$166k - $214k/yr
Bachelor's degree in business
10,000+

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Sans
Paid Media Manager
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Sans
Added 1w ago
Paid Media Manager
Sans
Culver City, California
Content & Communications
Creative & Design
Multimedia Production
$100k - $120k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in business

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See All 31 Paid Media Specialist Jobs in California

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Paid Media Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
5 jobs
Carson
2 jobs
Irvine
2 jobs
Culver City
2 jobs
Beverly Hills
2 jobs
San Francisco
2 jobs
Vernon
1 job
Gardena
1 job
El Monte
1 job

Paid Media Specialist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Innovative Metrics
Innovative Metrics2 open roles
Sans
Sans1 open role
Cisco
Cisco1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Retail
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • Food & Beverage
  • Technology & Software
  • Distribution & Wholesale

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in paid media specialist jobs across California.

  • Proficiency in Google Ads and Meta Ads Manager with demonstrated campaign management experience
  • Experience with programmatic platforms such as The Trade Desk, DV360, or similar DSPs
  • Ability to interpret performance data using Google Analytics or comparable analytics tools
  • Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field
  • Google Ads certification or Meta Blueprint certification strongly preferred by California employers
  • Experience managing budgets and optimizing toward CPA, ROAS, or other performance KPIs

Paid Media Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a paid media specialist in California?

Most California employers require a bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, communications, or business, though some hire candidates with equivalent portfolio experience. California does not issue a state license for paid media roles, but industry certifications such as Google Ads and Meta Blueprint are widely expected and often listed as requirements. Building a portfolio with measurable campaign results and gaining hands-on experience through internships or coordinator roles at California agencies or tech companies is the most direct path.

How much do paid media specialists make in California?

Paid media specialists in California earn a median of about $94,700 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $48,440 for the lowest 10% to over $181,600 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire paid media specialists in California?

Employers hiring paid media specialists in California right now include Innovative Metrics, Sans, and Cisco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of technology companies, entertainment studios, and direct-to-consumer brands means paid media roles appear across a wide range of industries beyond traditional advertising agencies.

Which California cities have the most paid media specialist jobs?

Los Angeles, Carson, and Irvine have the most paid media specialist openings in California. Los Angeles dominates due to its entertainment, e-commerce, and agency ecosystem, while San Francisco and San Jose reflect the density of technology and SaaS companies headquartered in the Bay Area that run large performance marketing operations.

Are there remote paid media specialist jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. Paid media work is predominantly analytical and platform-based, making it well suited to remote arrangements. About 33% of paid media specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how readily the work translates outside the office. Campaign management, reporting, and optimization tasks are the functions most commonly performed fully remotely.

How can I get hired as a paid media specialist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a paid media coordinator or digital marketing coordinator role at a California agency or in-house marketing team, where you manage smaller budgets under senior supervision. Large California employers and agency groups run structured associate or rotational programs that accept candidates without prior paid media experience. Completing Google Ads and Meta Blueprint certifications before applying gives a meaningful edge, and building a small portfolio through freelance or personal account work demonstrates platform familiarity that California hiring managers look for in entry-level candidates.

Where can I find and apply to paid media specialist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to paid media specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Find roles that fit your experience and location preferences and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 31 Paid Media Specialist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Paid Media Specialist Jobs