The salary of a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I in the United States is $79,676. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $69,669 to $88,471, with most professionals earning between $60,558 and $96,478.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $88,471 | $7,373 | $1,701 | $43 |
| Average | $79,676 | $6,640 | $1,532 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,669 | $5,806 | $1,340 | $33 |
An entry-level Search Engine Optimization Specialist I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $76,390. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $76,689. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $78,630. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $82,958, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $84,270.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Search Engine Optimization Specialist I | $76,390 |
| Intermediate Level Search Engine Optimization Specialist I | $76,689 |
| Senior Level Search Engine Optimization Specialist I | $78,630 |
| Specialist Level Search Engine Optimization Specialist I | $82,958 |
| Expert Level Search Engine Optimization Specialist I | $84,270 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 4% |
| Experienced | 6% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Search Engine Optimization Specialist I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $81,285 in 2023 to approximately $81,190 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Search Engine Optimization Specialist I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Search Engine Optimization Specialist I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Search Engine Optimization Specialist I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Search Engine Optimization Specialist I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $79,676 | 70.4% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $6,095 | 5.4% | ||
| 401K/403B | $3,346 | 3.0% | ||
| Disability | $1,594 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 7.4% | ||
| Pension | $4,303 | 3.8% | ||
| Time Off | $9,806 | 8.7% | ||
| Total Compensation | $113,172 | 100% | ||
The average annual salary of Search Engine Optimization Specialist I is $79,676. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Search Engine Optimization Specialist I is $38; the average weekly pay of Search Engine Optimization Specialist I is $1,532; the average monthly pay of Search Engine Optimization Specialist I is $6,640.
A Search Engine Optimization Specialist I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I is $100,495.
The highest pay for Search Engine Optimization Specialist I is $96,478.
The lowest pay for Search Engine Optimization Specialist I is $60,558.
Monitors site-wide daily performance metrics and uses SEO tools and techniques to optimize site traffic, improve user experience, and increase conversions. Conducts keyword research, search behavior analyses, technical audits, and content gap analyses. Utilizes website analytics and a variety of SEO tools to create reports, audits and dashboards to identify areas for optimization. Conducts competitive research and deploys the latest developments in SEO. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Organic Search: Organic search, also known as natural search, refers to unpaid search results. In contrast to paid search results (pay-per-click advertising).
Content Marketing: Content marketing is a form of marketing focused on creating, publishing, and distributing content for a targeted audience online. It is often used by businesses in order to: Attract attention and generate leads Expand their customer base Generate or increase online sales Increase brand awareness or credibility Engage an online community of usersContent marketing attracts prospects and transforms prospects into customers by creating and sharing valuable free content. Content marketing helps companies create sustainable brand loyalty, provides valuable information to consumers, and creates a willingness to purchase products from the company in the future. This relatively new form of marketing does not involve direct sales. Instead, it builds trust and rapport with the audience. Unlike other forms of online marketing, content marketing relies on anticipating and meeting an existing customer need for information, as opposed to creating demand for a new need. As James O'Brien of Contently wrote on Mashable, "The idea central to content marketing is that a brand must give something valuable to get something valuable in return. Instead of the commercial, be the show. Instead of the banner ad, be the feature story." Content marketing requires continuous delivery of large amounts of content, preferably within a content marketing strategy.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
