How much can you earn in SEO roles? (2024)

In SEO roles, your earnings vary based on experience and location: Entry-Level: $35,000 - $50,000 per year. Mid-Level: $50,000 - $80,000 per year. Senior: $80,000 - $120,000+ per year. Freelancers set their own rates, often earning well.Location and specialization influence salaries, with urban areas generally paying more.

I would completely flip this question and ask: "How much value can you offer in an SEO role?".Then you can calculate the salary you want.

Well, After being in the Indian industry for around 12 years.SEOs Roles and salaries are extremely diversified.I have seen some of the lowest pay scales to folks who has just started their career.SEO executives in a tier 2-4 cities will start in a range of 10-30kTier1 : 30-50k Senior SEOs in tier 2–4 : 30-50k Tier1: 50-70k / monthPay scales in agencies are also typically lower than product based companies. Seo managers in a product based company can make around 10-18 LPA tier 1, 8-12lpa in tier 2-4Senior SEO managers or Group heads will make around 15-22 LPA in tier 1, but this payscale will be very difficult in a tier 2-4 unless the role is remote. Unfortunately 90% of Indian SEO roles don’t go beyond that payscale.

(edited)

SEO Job salaries tend to vary based on a few variables such as the role and whether or not the person is in-house, agency or freelance. Note that I can speak more authoritatively on US rates.an entry-level SEO can expect a salary within $45-$60k range on average. with 2-3 years of experience, this number can quickly jump to $75-80k.4-5 years experience and a portfolio of "SEO Wins" can push an SEO into a managerial role worth 100K+5-10+ years worth of experience is Director level typically leading teams and/or becomes the organic channel lead. Compensation is much wider at this level $125-200kAgency owners and freelancers can make north of 250k-500k+ annually.

To simplify it - your expertise, added value, and ability to execute and deliver would greatly contribute to your earning potential.Stay current with all the new information in the space, try and test new things, measure results, and be confident with your teammates, colleagues and higher leadership. Pick and sharpen a skill: technical SEO, content SEO, digital pr/e-commerce SEO, Outreach and digital PR specialist. Be vocal.If you're building a career in NA, this is roughly what you can expect in each role:-SEO Entry level (40)-SEO Junior (45-60)-SEO Middle (60-75)-SEO Supervisor (75-90)-SEO Director (100+)Alternatively, there's a path to do SEO consultancy, side hustles, affiliate marketing, Upwork, and Fiverr—freelancing etc.

Several factors can influence your earning potential in SEO roles, including:Experience: More experience typically leads to higher earnings.Location: Salaries can vary by city, with major metropolitan areas offering higher pay.Education and Certifications: Relevant qualifications can boost earning potential.Specialization: Specialized skills such as technical SEO or e-commerce SEO can command higher salaries.Company Size and Industry: Larger companies and competitive industries may offer higher pay.

How many no-context Google Search Console screenshots you can send to potential clients.The more you have the more you can get paid.

Several factors impact your earning potential in SEO. Your skillset and expertise, experience and track record, industry knowledge, networking and reputation, continuous learning, location and demand, and having an entrepreneurial mindset all play a role. Staying updated, specializing, building a strong reputation, and adapting to industry changes are essential for maximizing your earnings.

To maximize your earnings potential in SEO, do this:• Stay away from content creation. Unless you are extremely good at it!• Work for a large Enterprise. Software. Healthcare. Any industry that pays well in general.• Focus on strategy.• Do not become an expert in only one aspect of SEO. Or become the leading expert!• Try to build leadership skills.• Take on projects that give you Director/VP/C-Level exposure.• When talking about SEO to senior stakeholders, talk about P/L, ROI, and revenue - not keywords, rankings, and featured snippets.BUT please keep in mind that you will likely be doing this for the next 30+ years. Having fun at work is at least as important as the money you make.Follow your passion, not your paycheck!

Continuous Learning: Stay updated with SEO trends and algorithms.Specialize: Focus on areas like technical SEO, local SEO, or e-commerce SEO to stand out.Certifications: Earn industry-recognized certifications like Google Analytics or HubSpot.Build a Portfolio: Showcase your successful projects and results.Networking: Connect with professionals in the field to access better opportunities.Demonstrate ROI: Prove your ability to generate revenue and traffic for employers or clients.Negotiate: Don't be afraid to negotiate your salary based on your skills and experience.Consider Freelancing: Freelancers often charge higher rates for their expertise.

The world of SEO is vast and offers a multitude of career paths. From being an in-house SEO professional to a consultant or even branching out to digital marketing, there's a path for everyone. Personally, I'm intrigued by the prospect of specializing in a specific area of SEO, like technical SEO or content SEO. The chance to become a deep expert in a particular niche is an exciting prospect!

How I got into SEO:→ Led marketing at a startup→ Experimented with multiple growth channels→ SEO worked (and could be done with 0 budget)→ I took those skills and expanded them→ I started freelancing on the side→ I went full-time freelancingWith SEO, you can create one incredible piece of content and have 1,000s+ interested people read it every month w/o continuous distribution. That is incredibly powerful.

SEO specialists can pursue a variety of career paths and possibilities, including:1. SEO Specialist/Analyst: This position focuses on on-page and off-page optimisation.2. SEO Manager: In charge of SEO strategies and teams.3. material Writer/Editor: Responsible for creating SEO-friendly material.4. Technical SEO Analyst: Improving the structure and performance of websites.5. Digital Marketing Manager: In charge of larger digital strategy.6. SEO Consultant: Provides expertise to a variety of businesses.7. E-commerce SEO Specialist: Increasing the visibility of an online store.8. SEO Trainer/Educator: This person teaches SEO skills.9. SEO Director/VP: Senior managerial positions.

SEO cannot be done by a single person or even a single team. Most of the time SEOs are providing recommendations that need to be approved and implemented by other teams. This makes it incredibly important to be able to work with other people and make a business case for your recommendations.

The salary for SEO roles can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific company. However, according to data from Glassdoor, the average salary for an SEO Specialist in the United States is around $52,000 per year, while an SEO Manager can earn an average of $73,000 per year. These figures can be higher or lower depending on individual circ*mstances.