SEO Specialist Salary in the United States 2025

SEO specialists continue to be the most sought after role in the evolving digital marketing sphere. There are over 7000+ SEO related job vacancies currently listed on LinkedIn, in the US alone. These numbers highlight how demanding and competitive the SEO field is. 

An SEO specialist is usually a part of the marketing team but often collaborates with product and development teams to improve growth and visibility. Their responsibilities are based on how the marketing team is structured. In large companies, the role may be specialized. However, in smaller companies, a solo SEO specialist often manages everything from audits to content and analytics.

If you are looking to hire SEO specialist in 2025, the big question you need to consider is: what salary will actually get the right talent to say yes?

In this guide we will break down the latest salary benchmarks, freelance insights and key trends, so you can stay ahead and attract the top SEO talent your business needs.

Factors that Impact SEO Specialist Salary

Here’s a closer look at the factors that affect SEO specialist salary. 

Skillset

Skillset and specialization can impact specialist salary levels. Salary is usually higher for specialist who are proficient in technical SEO, link building, content optimization and local SEO along with knowledge on new tools and updates. Some of the fundamental and latest SEO skillset for 2025 are:

• On-Page SEO
• Off-Page SEO
• Technical SEO
• Keyword Research
• Analytics and Reporting
• Content Strategy
• SEO Tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, rank trackers and audit tools
• AEO (AI-driven search and answer engine optimization)
• GEO (Generative engine optimization)

Experience

Experience significantly influences an SEO specialists salary, seasoned professionals often earn higher salary due to their proven track record of best performance and deep expertise in search engine optimization.

Analytics and Reporting

Analytics and reporting requires a fair amount of experience in tools like Google analytics to monitor user engagement, track and measure KPIs.

Content Strategy Development

Content strategy development requires understanding of audience intent and needs by creating content by effectively utilizing the keywords, optimizing content to improve visibility and engagement.

Continuous Upskilling 

Adaptability and continuous upskilling help SEO specialists to stay updated with latest trends , best practices and algorithm changes to consistently maintain long term SEO success. 

SEO Specialist Salary – By Location

It’s important to understand that location plays a significant determinant of an SEO Specialist salary. Market demand, cost of living and local tax majorly influence salary benchmarks. In regions with higher living costs, offering competitive salaries is essential to attract and retain skilled professionals. When structuring compensation, it’s crucial to balance internal equity with market expectations to make sure you offer competitive pay that also aligns with local living expenses.

Here’s a breakdown of SEO specialists salary by top 5 cities in the U.S for 2025

Although location is a major factor in determining salary, these salaries also fluctuate based on industry and experience.

SEO Specialist Salary – By Industry 

It’s important to note that SEO specialist salaries vary across industries. High profit industry sectors and heavily dependent on digital visibility often command higher pay. Apart from this, company size plays an important role. These factors will help you set a competitive yet fair salary that matches with your industry standards and your organization’s capacity.

According to Glassdoor, the following industries pay more for SEO specialists.

SEO Specialist Salary – By Experience

When hiring SEO specialists, experience plays a critical role in shaping the compensation of the talent. Talent who comes with a vast background in SEO or related roles often secure high salaries.

Here’s what the average salary looks in the United States based on years of experience.

Entry – Level SEO Specialist Salary

When hiring entry level SEO specialists, you will typically find candidates with up to 3 years of experience. Their core responsibilities usually include managing keyword research, website audit, basic on-page SEO and working with analytics platforms while learning on the job. 

The average salary for entry-level SEO specialists in the United States for up to 3 years of experience is $64,488 annually. (Uplers)

Mid- Level SEO Specialist Salary

Mid-level SEO specialists with 3-5 years of experience are expected to work independently with SEO tools while executing and monitoring strategies that influence business growth directly. 

As per Uplers data, a reasonable salary for mid-level SEO specialists in the US is around $85380 annually.

Senior – Level SEO Specialist Salary

Senior – Level SEO Specialist salaries are among the highest-paid in the field. These specialists come with more than 5 years of vast SEO experience. At this stage, you are hiring professionals who bring in extensive SEO expertise. They are able to design, do consultations, lead, manage teams and effectively communicate results to stakeholders and clients. Providing strong salary packages helps attract top leaders who can positively impact revenue and visibility.

As per Uplers salary data, an average salary for senior – level SEO specialists in the US is around $113,868 annually.

Final Thoughts

The right SEO consultant turns search into revenue by monitoring trends, refining strategies and improving performance. Looking to hire SEO expert? Connect with Uplers and unlock AI-Vetted SEO talent from our 3M+ top talent network.