The Ultimate Guide to SEO Jobs: Salaries, Skills, and Industry Trends
SEO continues to be a critical digital marketing skill, with companies across industries looking to hire talented search engine optimization professionals. But what does the SEO job market really look like in terms of salaries, required skills, and industry demand?
At IncRev, we conducted an extensive analysis of over 7,000 SEO job postings to uncover key insights about the state of SEO careers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore:
- Average SEO salaries and factors influencing pay
- Most in-demand SEO skills and qualifications
- Top industries hiring for SEO talent
- The impact of COVID-19 on SEO jobs
- Key trends shaping the future of SEO careers
Whether you’re an SEO professional looking to advance your career or a company seeking to hire SEO talent, read on for data-driven insights to inform your strategy.
SEO Salaries: What Can You Expect to Earn?
One of the most common questions about SEO careers is: how much do SEO professionals actually make? Based on our analysis of thousands of job postings, here are the key findings on SEO salaries:
- The average salary for SEO positions in the U.S. is $60,548 per year
- SEO salaries vary significantly based on location, with the highest paying cities including San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles
- Companies in California, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey offer the highest SEO salaries, with an average of $72,600 per year
- States with lower average SEO salaries include Utah, Pennsylvania and Illinois, at around $48,700 per year
While the overall average of $60,548 may seem modest, it’s important to note that this includes entry-level positions. More senior SEO roles and those in high cost-of-living areas can command six-figure salaries.
Interestingly, our analysis found that SEO professionals with coding skills tend to earn more. Job postings requiring programming knowledge offered salaries 7.3% higher on average compared to similar roles without coding requirements.
Most In-Demand SEO Skills and Qualifications
To succeed in an SEO career, what skills and qualifications do you actually need? Here’s what employers are looking for based on our job posting analysis:
Key SEO Skills
The most commonly cited skills in SEO job descriptions include:
- Marketing
- Content creation
- Analytics
- Data analysis
- SEO tools/software
Surprisingly, only 22.9% of SEO job postings specifically called for technical SEO skills. The vast majority (77.1%) focused more on marketing, content, and analytical abilities.
Education Requirements
Good news for aspiring SEOs without formal degrees – 64.3% of SEO job postings did not require any specific educational qualifications. For those that did cite education:
- 29.8% required a bachelor’s degree
- Only 7% required a master’s degree
This suggests that hands-on SEO experience and skills are generally valued more highly than formal education in this field.
Experience Level
Most SEO roles required between 2-5 years of relevant experience. The full breakdown:
- 0-1 years: 18% of postings
- 2-3 years: 37%
- 4-5 years: 29%
- 6+ years: 16%
Technical Skills
While not required for all SEO roles, having technical skills can boost your earning potential. The most in-demand programming languages for SEO jobs are:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- SQL
- PHP
SEO Tools
63.4% of SEO job postings required experience with specific SEO software tools. The most commonly cited tools were:
- Google Analytics
- SEMrush
- Google Search Console
- Moz
- Screaming Frog
Top Industries Hiring SEO Talent
Which types of companies are most actively recruiting for SEO professionals? Our analysis found these industries had the highest number of SEO job postings:
- Advertising & Marketing
- Staffing & Outsourcing
- Internet
- Information Technology
- Publishing
- Enterprise Software
Not surprisingly, digital marketing agencies and tech companies lead the pack in SEO hiring. But we’re also seeing increased demand from traditional industries like retail, finance, and healthcare as they expand their digital presence.
Impact of COVID-19 on SEO Jobs
While many industries saw major job losses during the pandemic, the SEO job market has remained relatively stable. In fact, our data shows a slight increase in SEO job postings during the height of the COVID-19 crisis in 2020.
This resilience is likely due to several factors:
- Increased focus on digital marketing as traditional channels were disrupted
- More businesses moving online and needing SEO expertise
- Companies doubling down on organic search to reduce paid advertising costs
The pandemic seems to have accelerated the digital transformation for many businesses, creating more opportunities for SEO professionals.
Key Trends Shaping the Future of SEO Careers
Based on our analysis, here are some of the top trends we’re seeing that will impact SEO jobs going forward:
1. Emphasis on broader digital marketing skills
While technical SEO knowledge is still valuable, more companies are looking for SEO professionals with a wider skill set including content marketing, analytics, and general digital strategy.
2. Increased demand for data analysis abilities
As SEO becomes more data-driven, employers are prioritizing candidates who can collect, analyze, and derive insights from large datasets.
3. Integration of AI and machine learning
SEO professionals who understand how to leverage AI and machine learning tools for tasks like keyword research and content optimization will be in high demand.
4. Focus on user experience and conversion rate optimization
With Google’s increased emphasis on user experience signals, SEO is becoming more intertwined with UX and CRO. Skills in these areas are increasingly valuable.
5. Specialization in vertical search
As vertical search options like image search, video search, and voice search grow, some SEO pros are developing specialized expertise in these areas.
How to Advance Your SEO Career
For SEO professionals looking to boost their career prospects and earning potential, here are some key takeaways from our research:
- Develop a broad digital marketing skill set beyond just technical SEO
- Gain experience with popular SEO tools like Google Analytics, SEMrush, etc.
- Consider learning basic coding skills like HTML and JavaScript
- Focus on data analysis and your ability to derive actionable insights
- Stay up-to-date with emerging trends like AI, voice search, etc.
- Build hands-on experience through personal projects or freelance work
The SEO industry continues to evolve rapidly, but it also offers exciting opportunities for those willing to continuously learn and adapt their skills.
Conclusion
As our research shows, SEO remains a dynamic and in-demand field with solid career prospects. While salaries and specific requirements can vary widely, there’s a growing need for talented SEO professionals across industries.
At IncRev, we’re committed to helping both businesses and SEO professionals succeed in this ever-changing landscape. Whether you’re looking to hire SEO talent or advance your own career, our team of experts can provide the insights and strategies you need.
Want to learn more about optimizing your SEO strategy? Contact IncRev today for a personalized consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to start a career in SEO?
While a degree isn’t always required, you’ll need a solid understanding of SEO principles, experience with key tools, and ideally some hands-on practice optimizing websites. Many successful SEOs are self-taught through online resources and experimentation.
How much can I expect to earn as an SEO professional?
Entry-level SEO positions typically start around $35,000-$45,000 per year, while more experienced professionals can earn well over $100,000, especially in major tech hubs. Freelance and agency rates vary widely but can be quite lucrative for top performers.
Is SEO a good career choice for the future?
Yes, SEO continues to be a growing field with strong demand across industries. As more business shifts online, the need for SEO expertise is likely to increase. However, the specifics of the job may evolve with new technologies and search engine algorithms.
What’s the job outlook like for SEO professionals?
The job outlook for SEO remains positive, with steady growth expected in the coming years. Our research shows that demand for SEO talent remained strong even during economic uncertainty, suggesting it’s a relatively stable career path.
Do I need to know how to code to work in SEO?
While not always required, basic coding skills (especially HTML and CSS) can be very beneficial for SEO professionals. Our data shows that SEO jobs requiring coding skills tend to offer higher salaries on average.
