Salaries in the media and marketing industries are starting to level off although there is strong demand for candidates with sales skills, a new survey indicates.

The survey, from media recruitment company Prosperity, shows that salaries have increased marginally in 2005, but growth has not been spectacular. The survey is based on replies from 45 media and marketing companies.

Gary Mullan, a director of Prosperity, used the word "stable" to describe salary trends in both industries.

"There has not been a big hike in salaries in the media sector. Skills which are difficult to source would be agency sales candidates. Account managers with experience within agencies are in demand. The design industry is busy and it has a need for senior designers with five to seven years' experience," he said.

According to the survey, journalists in the newspaper and magazine sectors are now earning €48,000-€63,000, with sub-editors earning €46,000-€55,000. People working in advertising sales in newspapers/magazines are earning €45,000- €55,000. Circulation managers for either newspapers or magazines are earning €60,000-€80,000 on average.

In the radio industry programme directors are earning €75,000- €85,000, with sales directors earning €62,000-€83,000. Broadcast journalists are earning €25,000-€35,000, according to the survey.

The survey also examined salaries in advertising agencies and found that account directors are earning €75,000-€115,000, with account managers earning €35,000-€70,000.

In public relations, account directors are earning €55,000- €100,000, with account managers earning €30,000-€40,000. In the marketing sphere, marketing directors are earning between €55,000-€82,000.

In the design area salaries remain relatively stable. The most highly paid position remains creative director where people earn €65,000- €85,000.