The Price Tag of Expertise: How Much Do SEO Consultants Charge per Hour? (2024)

Hiring an SEO consultant can make a big difference for businesses wanting to improve their online presence. But how much does it cost to have expertise in search engine optimization? The price per hour can vary for SEO consultants due to several factors.

In this article, we'll look at the average rates for SEO consultants and what factors affect their fees. By understanding the cost, businesses can make informed decisions about their digital marketing strategies.

How Much Do SEO Specialists Make by the Hour?

Is It Pricier to Hire SEO Companies than Individual Experts?

The cost of SEO services can vary. Hiring SEO companies is generally more expensive than individual SEO experts, especially for monthly services and full projects. SEO companies also charge a slightly higher hourly rate compared to individual experts. Monthly retainer and full project costs are also higher when hiring SEO companies. Differences in pricing are influenced by factors such as experience, types of services offered, and results.

The Link Between Experience and Higher Hourly Income

SEO specialists' hourly income depends on their experience. On average, those with 10+ years of experience earn around $118.35 per hour, while those with two years or less earn $73.05 per hour.

Global SEO services earn an average of $106.69/hour, while local SEO services earn $93.89/hour, showing a 13.6% difference.

Experience also impacts monthly rates. Those with 5–10 years of experience charge more than double the rate of those with two years or less.

Worldwide Services vs. Local Services: Is There a Cost Difference?

1. SEO services tend to cost more worldwide than locally, with a 13.6% higher hourly rate and a 123.1% higher monthly rate.
2. SEO companies generally charge higher rates than individual experts, both monthly and hourly.
3. More experienced SEOs typically charge higher rates, especially if they have been in business for 5-10 years. The longer the experience, the higher the rates.

What Are Typical Costs for SEO Services Each Month?

Monthly Price Difference: Companies vs. Solo SEO Pros

SEO professionals charge different rates depending on their level of experience and the market they serve.

On average, companies charge more per month than solo professionals. This is because companies usually command higher rates.

Experience also influences monthly rates, with more experienced individuals charging higher retainers.

Specialists offering worldwide services typically charge more than those serving local markets. The average monthly retainer for worldwide services is significantly higher, showcasing a considerable cost disparity between global and local SEO services.

How Expertise Influences Monthly Rates

Expertise greatly affects how much SEO specialists earn monthly. A higher level of experience means higher hourly and monthly rates. On average, SEO agencies and freelancers charge $75–$100 per hour, while SEO consultants charge $100–150/hour. Monthly rates also increase with experience and specialization, with a significant difference between local and global services. SEO professionals serving a global market earn 123.1% more than those serving a local market.

The average monthly cost for SEOservices is $497, but this can range from $100 to $5,000. These prices reflect the skills, experience, and types of services offered by SEO professionals.

Monthly Rates: Global Reach vs. Focusing on Local Businesses

When targeting a global audience, the average hourly rate for services is $106.69, while the local market focuses on an average of $93.89 per hour, with a difference of 13.6%.

Solo SEO professionals charge an average of $497 per month. In contrast, SEO agencies charge higher fees but often deliver better results.

The experience and expertise of SEO services significantly influence their monthly rates, with businesses operating for 5–10 years charging more than double the rate of those in business for two years or less.

Charges for Full Projects: What to Expect from SEO Pros

Comparing Project Costs: Agencies vs. Freelancers

Hourly rates for SEO specialists differ between agencies and individual experts. SEO agencies and freelancers commonly charge $75 to $100 per hour, while consultants charge $100 to $150 per hour. However, a higher percentage of SEO agencies and consultants command $75+/hour compared to freelancers.

Agencies generally charge higher retainers for monthly SEO services than solo SEO pros. A larger percentage of SEO agencies command $1,001+/month compared to freelancers, while the majority of consultants earn $1,001+/month.

Various factors influence the total project costs for SEO services, such as hourly rates, monthly retainer rates, and per-project rates. These rates vary based on experience, skills, specialties, results, types of services offered, and whether services are outsourced to an agency or provided by an individual freelancer.

How Much More Do Veterans of SEO Charge for Complete Projects?

Experienced SEO professionals charge higher fees for complete projects. This is because of their skills, expertise, and ability to deliver desirable results. Their specialization and high-quality work also contribute to the higher fees. In comparison, newer SEO professionals charge lower fees for complete projects due to their lesser experience.

Unexpected Twists in SEO Pricing

What Causes SEO Service Prices to Shift?

Hourly rates for SEO specialists are influenced by several factors. These include region, experience, and whether they work as independent experts or for a company. The choice between hiring SEO companies or individual experts also impacts pricing significantly. SEO agencies generally charge more per hour and month than single freelancers, depending on the demand for services and expertise.

Additionally, the level of experience heavily affects the cost of SEO services. More experienced SEOs tend to charge significantly more, earning approximately double to triple the average rates for individuals new to the business.

Why Are Some SEO Services More Expensive?

Hourly rates for SEO specialists depend on experience, skills, and the scope of services.

SEO agencies charge around $75-$100 per hour. Consultants charge $75-$150 per hour, while freelancers can charge as low as $30 per hour.

Agencies command higher rates, and more experienced specialists also earn higher hourly rates.

Those with 10+ years of experience charge an average of $118.35 per hour, compared to $73.05 for those with less than two years of experience.

Experience is crucial in setting rates for SEO specialists.

Different Ways to Pay for SEO

How the Kind of Work Can Affect Your Total Bill

The average hourly rate for SEOs increases with experience. For those in business for two years or less, it's $73.05, and for those in business 10+ years, it's $118.35. More experienced SEOs can charge a lot more per hour.

SEO agencies and consultants command more per hour than freelancers. The most common hourly rate for SEO agencies and freelancers is the same: $75–$100/hour. SEO consultants can earn $100–$150/hour. However, agencies tend to charge more overall.

Those offering services worldwide charge more per hour than those serving local markets. On average, those offering their services worldwide earn $106.69/hour, whereas those serving the local market earn $93.89/hour, a difference of 13.6%.

Understanding How Business Types Change SEO Costs

Hiring SEO specialists can impact costs. Hourly rates range from $50 to $150, depending on experience and amount of work. More experienced specialists tend to charge higher rates, affecting the overall cost.

Monthly costs for SEO services vary from $100 to $5,000, with the average being around $500 for freelancers and $497 for agencies. Agencies may cost more, and results differ based on the costs.

SEO service prices can change based on skills, experience, and specialty services like link building. The type of business (agency vs. freelancer) also affects costs, with 58.7% of agencies charging $75+/hour and the hourly rate for worldwide services being higher than local services.