What is the Best Social Media Marketing Salary and How to Earn it

According to McKinsey, in October 2021, there were 4.6 billion social media users worldwide, with 13 new users signing up for their first social media account every second. From a marketing perspective, that’s 13 new potential customers every second. As social media usage continues to grow, social media marketing is becoming increasingly essential for connecting brands to customers. That makes it useful for marketing and communication professionals to know what social media marketing salary levels look like. This guide covers everything you need to know about social media marketing salary based on experience, skills, and location.

Introduction to Social Media Marketing

Social Media Marketing is a form of digital marketing that uses social media platforms to connect with the audience to build brand image, share information, increase website engagement, and boost sales. At present, some of the most popular social media platforms driving engagement are Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Snapchat. 

Social media managers or marketers are the professionals responsible for managing a brand’s social media channels and using them to build brand awareness. They do so by developing social media marketing strategies, creating brand promotions, and overseeing the organization’s marketing campaigns across several social media platforms. 

The roles and responsibilities of social media managers include:

• Representing the organization on social media
• Creating a social media marketing strategy
• Creating content for social media platforms 
• Increasing followers and engagement 
• Strategizing and executing digital marketing campaigns 
• Gathering and analyzing data analytics 
• Monitoring the company’s social media platforms
• Communicating with the audience 
• Working with other teams for content creation 

Are Social Media Managers in Demand and Why?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates jobs for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers to increase by 10 per cent from 2021 to 2031, and social media has become critical to marketing. According to the CMO survey report 2022, the social media marketing budget is expected to rise by 16.8 per cent in 2023 and by 21.3 per cent over the next five years, making social media marketing a high-in-demand career. As businesses continue to focus on social media marketing, jobs in social media marketing have become highly sought-after and businesses are on the lookout for proficient social media marketers.

Average Social Media Marketing Salary

Social media marketing is not only an exciting role, but it can also provide excellent earning opportunities. According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a social media manager in the United States is $48,701. This is, of course, subject to variances in skills, location, knowledge, and experience.

Average Salary Range Based on Knowledge and Experience

Knowledge and experience play a critical part in salary variation. According to Glassdoor, the lowest salary for a social media manager in the United States is $30,315 per year, while a senior social media manager role pays $85,104 per year. Similarly, the lowest social media manager salary in Australia is $55,000 per year, while senior social media managers can expect a salary of $90,000. This difference in the pay scale based on experience and knowledge is worth noting.

Build New Skills in Social Media Marketing

For social media managers, up-to-date skills can offer considerable job growth and earning opportunities. Preferred social media marketing skills include:

• Expertise in social media platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, and TikTok 
• Excellent writing and editing skills 
• Top-notch communication skills
• Proficiency in Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Graphic designing, photo, and video editing
• Knowledge of trends and social media algorithms 
• Functional knowledge of social media analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, Hootsuite Analytics, HubSpot, and RivalIQ   

Mastering these skills can add value and set you apart from the competition. If you want to polish your social media marketing skills, explore the online digital marketing courses offered by Emeritus, taught by experts from the world’s best universities. 

ALSO READ: What is Digital Marketing? Strategies, Benefits, Types, and Careers

Social Media Marketing Salary – By Location

Geographical location plays a vital role in determining salary ranges as it takes into consideration the demand for work and the cost of living. Here is how the annual social media marketing salary compares across regions:

What is the Highest Salary for a Social Media Marketing Manager in the U.S.?

Senior roles in social media marketing can have excellent incomes. The U.S. has the second-highest salary for social media manager positions, while Australia has the highest. Let’s see if they compare with the highest in other regions. 

Learn With Emeritus

Regardless of its size, a business with a strong social media presence has high growth potential and offers opportunities to connect with audiences across the world. A social media manager is the voice of the organization and must constantly update their knowledge and skills to be competitive for the higher social media marketing salary levels. If you are looking to enhance your skills and advance your career in social media marketing, explore the extensive list of digital marketing courses offered by Emeritus, taught by experts from some of the world’s most renowned universities. 

Note: All salary figures are from Glassdoor. 

By Krati Joshi

Write to us at content@emeritus.org