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Programmatic Trader Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mindgruve

Assistant Programmatic Buyer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30/hr

Launch, manage, and optimize programmatic campaigns across platforms such as The Trade Desk, DV360, Amazon Ads, and other leading demand-side platforms. * Within media buys, you will be building ...

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Programmatic Trader information

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$39K

$95.5K

$266K

How much do programmatic trader jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for programmatic trader in California is $95,507.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,800.00 and $104,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Programmatic Traders in optimizing campaigns, and how can they be addressed?

Programmatic Traders often encounter challenges such as fluctuating inventory quality, rapidly changing bidding landscapes, and tight campaign performance targets. Staying on top of these requires a strong analytical approach, frequent campaign monitoring, and proactive communication with account managers and clients. Utilizing advanced data analytics tools and regularly testing different bidding strategies can help address these issues. Additionally, collaborating closely with creative, data, and sales teams ensures alignment on campaign objectives and helps overcome obstacles more effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Programmatic Trader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Programmatic Trader, you need a solid understanding of digital advertising, data analysis, and campaign optimization, typically supported by a degree in marketing, business, or a related field. Experience with demand-side platforms (DSPs), ad servers, and analytics tools such as Google DV360, The Trade Desk, or Adobe Analytics is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help professionals excel in managing campaigns and collaborating with clients and internal teams. These skills and tools are crucial for driving efficient, data-driven ad performance and achieving clients' marketing objectives in a competitive digital landscape.

What Does a Programmatic Trader Do?

As a programmatic trader, your job is to help optimize a marketing campaign by conducting an analysis of ad performance across various platforms. In this role, you perform analysis to decide when and where to display online ads. You may also help manage an advertising budget and interact directly with people at various levels of the company. Aside from managing ad purchases, a programmatic trader may help develop realistic expectations about ad performance while looking for ways to improve the overall effectiveness of ad buys. A programmatic trader often helps select target audiences for each campaign.

What is the difference between Programmatic Trader vs Digital Media Buyer?

AspectProgrammatic TraderDigital Media Buyer
CredentialsRelevant marketing, advertising, or data analysis experience; certifications like IAB or Google AdsSimilar credentials; often holds certifications in digital advertising platforms
Work EnvironmentData-driven, real-time bidding platforms, programmatic ad exchangesAd campaign planning, negotiations, direct media placements
Industry UsagePrimarily in digital advertising agencies, media firms, and tech companiesUsed across advertising agencies, brands, and media outlets

Programmatic Traders focus on automated, data-driven ad buying through technology platforms, while Digital Media Buyers often handle manual negotiations and direct placements. Both roles require digital advertising knowledge, but Programmatic Traders specialize in real-time bidding and automation, making their skills more tech-centric.

What are programmatic traders?

Programmatic traders are professionals who use automated technology and algorithms to buy and sell digital advertising space in real time. They analyze data and set up campaigns across various platforms, optimizing bids and targeting to reach specific audiences efficiently. Their role involves monitoring ad performance, adjusting strategies, and ensuring that campaigns meet the desired goals within budget constraints. Programmatic traders often work closely with digital marketing teams and use demand-side platforms (DSPs) to manage large-scale advertising efforts.
More about Programmatic Trader jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Programmatic Trader jobs in California? The most popular types of Programmatic Trader jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Programmatic Trader jobs in California? For Programmatic Trader jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Programmatic Trader jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Programmatic Trader jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Programmatic Trader jobs? Cities in California with the most Programmatic Trader job openings:
Programmatic Trader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Programmatic Trader job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,507 per year, or $45.9 per hour.
Specialist, Programmatic (Auto)

Specialist, Programmatic (Auto)

Canvas Worldwide

El Segundo, CA • Hybrid

$70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Canvas Worldwide dares to be the challenger the ad industry needs. Do you "Challenge the Comfortable?" Then you'll fit right in here at Canvas.
 
Recognized as one of Ad Age's "Best Places to Work" for three consecutive years, Canvas Worldwide is an independent media agency committed to providing creative solutions for brands that challenge the status quo. Our clients include Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, MGM, Zillow and McDonald’s (to name a few…).
 
Our agency cultivates an environment where all are welcome to push outside their comfort zones to solve problems in new ways. We encourage the team to be its best by creating the most positive workplace experience for all. For instance, we outpace the industry on diversity and inclusion AND offer continuous training and workshops for career development. So, if you dare to challenge the comfortable… then keep reading.

Programmatic Specialist works within the Programmatic group – as a subset of the Digital group, and reports into the Associate Director. While the programmatic group is a specialized channel, the role also requires the programmatic specialist to work with strategy teams and investment teams as an extension of their plan execution process.
 
Programmatic Specialists own campaign management from start to finish – inclusive of all self-service capabilities in planning, trafficking, execution, optimization, and reporting.
 
Platform (primary) - DSP
  • Master the usage of demand side platforms for campaign set up, optimization, and reporting; inclusive of:
  • Bulk updating of campaigns, budget management, and troubleshooting platform issues
  • Working in reporting suite daily to glean insights and make optimizations against KPI goals
  • Applying insights to put together recommendations and set up campaigns
  • Support in managing relationship with platform support teams to continually bring innovation to the table
Platform (secondary) – partner platforms
  • Learn and master processes and systems related to the trafficking and workflow management of programmatic campaigns; inclusive of:
  • Primary Ad Server
  • Dynamic Creative Ad Server
  • Billing/Planning system
  • Verification systems
  • Measurement systems
  • Learn and become proficient in reporting systems that support programmatic campaigns (inclusive of data, verification, analysis that comes from reporting output directly in DSP)
Campaign Ownership
  • Work collaboratively with multiple groups both internally and externally (strategy teams, client and creative agency)
  • Participation in status meetings – and communicate updates outward
  • Clarify with strategy teams on campaign deliverable requirements
  • Work collaboratively with analytics + adops teams on tagging requirements to QA performance
  • Own billing and reconciliation process (inclusive of ad serving estimation) to maintain campaign parameters
  • Communicate outwardly on partner recommendations + rationales to share feedback on partners
  • Clear communication on if deadlines will not be met to manage expectations
Qualifications:
  • 1-2 years’ experience working on Programmatic Team
  • Knowledge of DSP platforms (Doubleclick Bid Manager, Mediamath, The Trade Desk, Appnexus, or Dataxu) required
  • Trade Desk experience is strongly preferred
  • Proficiency in advanced Excel formulas and experience manipulating large datasets into digestible insights
  • Be proactive: Show interest in constantly learning and growing
  • Be organized: able to work with dept head to prioritize projects across campaigns while also clearly communicating progress and project completion
  • Experience mentoring and guiding assistants/associates
  • Bachelor’s degree Preferred
Yearly compensation $70,400

Salary and Benefits
Actual base salary is determined upon factors such as experience, qualifications, training, certifications, and internal equity. The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Base salary is part of a total rewards package that includes highly competitive benefits like generous medical, dental, vision, pet insurance, commuter benefits, disability and life insurance coverage, 401(k) matching, up to 14 holidays per year, a “Do Good Day,” and unlimited PTO.

Additional perks include employee social and wellness events, a DEI Council, auto purchase rebate program, monthly wellness allowance, and in-office amenities such as fresh kombucha and an in-house barista inside our beautiful, new vibrant El Segundo office.

In-Office Work Schedule
This is a hybrid role, requiring a minimum of 2 days in-office per week.

Canvas Worldwide is an Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

CA Applicants: Canvas Worldwide practices Fair Chance Hiring

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.