How Much Does a Social Media Manager Make?

Social media is an essential part of any business in today’s digital age. Companies are looking for professionals who can effectively manage their social media presence. One such profession is a social media manager. This person is responsible for creating and executing social media strategies, creating content, and engaging with the audience. However, the question is, how much does a social media manager make? In this article, we will explore the salary range of a social media manager and the factors that influence their pay. So, let’s jump right in.

Job Description and Responsibilities of a Social Media Manager

Social media managers create and execute social media strategies that align with company goals. They create and curate content, manage social media accounts, engage with the audience, and track social media campaigns. Social media managers also develop social media advertising campaigns to increase reach and engagement. Additionally, they analyse and report social media performance to optimise campaigns for better results.

According to a report by Sprout Social, 89% of social media messages to brands go ignored. This highlights the importance of having a dedicated social media team or manager to handle and respond to all incoming messages.

Salary Range of a Social Media Manager

Social media managers earn $50,758 to $54,238 per year, according to Glassdoor. However, the salary range varies depending on several factors such as experience, location, industry, and company size.

Factors Influencing Social Media Manager Salary

Years of Experience

Social media managers earn more with experience. A social media manager with less than one year’s experience can expect to receive an average salary of $41,000 per year. In contrast, a social media manager with more than ten years’ experience can earn an average salary of $76,000 per year.

Geographic Location

The location of the job also plays a significant role in determining the salary of a social media manager. Social media managers in metropolitan areas such as New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles earn higher salaries than those in smaller cities.

Industry

Different industries have different salary ranges for social media managers. For instance, social media managers in the technology and finance industries tend to earn higher salaries than those in the retail or non-profit sectors.

Social Media Manager Salary by Industry

Social media managers’ salary also vary by industry. According to Glassdoor, social media managers in the advertising and marketing industry earn an average of $59,000 per year. In contrast, those in the media and publishing industry earn $49,000 per year.

Company Size

The company’s size also influences social media managers’ salaries. Larger companies with larger social media budgets pay higher salaries than small businesses.

Social Media Manager Salary by Experience Level

As with most professions, social media managers’ salaries increase with experience. PayScale says the average salary for a social media manager with less than one year’s experience is $40,000 per year. In contrast, those with 5-9 years’ experience earn $62,000 per year.

Social media managers often wear many hats, including content creation, customer service, and data analysis. In fact, a study by Social Media Today found that 82% of social media managers are responsible for creating content.

How to Increase Your Salary as a Social Media Manager

As a social media manager, there are several ways to increase your salary, including:

Continuing Education and Certification

Continuing education and certification in social media marketing can help you acquire new skills and stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies. It can also make you a more valuable asset to your employer, which leads to higher pay.

Specialisation

Specialised in a specific area of social media marketing, such as social media advertising, can make you a more valuable asset to your employer. Social media advertising is a growing area, and companies are willing to pay a premium for professionals who can create effective social media ads.

Negotiating skills

Having excellent negotiating skills can help you increase your salary as a social media manager. Negotiating your salary during the hiring process and asking for a raise after demonstrating your value to the company can help you earn a higher salary.

Social media management is a constantly evolving field, with new platforms and trends emerging all the time. As social media expert Neal Schaffer puts it, “Social media is not a one-time campaign, but a process of constant improvement.” This means social media managers must always be learning and adapting to stay ahead of the curve.

FAQs

Is a degree required to become a social media manager?

Experience and a clear understanding or specialisation with a specific social media platform will often help landing your dream job as a social media manager. However, while a degree is not always required, having a degree in marketing or a related field can make you a more competitive candidate.

Can social media managers work remotely?

Yes, many companies allow social media managers to work remotely and from home.

What skills are required to become a successful social media manager?

Successful social media managers require excellent communication, writing, and analytical skills, as well as creativity and a deep understanding of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tik-Tok and more.

How can I become a social media manager?

Reach out to friends, family and local businesses and offer to work for free to build up a client base, testimonials and experience. When you are confident start charging for your services and expand your client base. You can also become a social media manager by acquiring a degree in marketing or a related field and obtain certification in social media marketing.

What is the future outlook for social media managers?

Demand for social media managers is expected to continue to grow as businesses increasingly rely on social media for marketing and engagement with their customers.

Final Thoughts

Social media managers play a crucial role in business success. Social media managers earn depending on several factors such as experience, location, industry, and company size. Continuing education, specialisation, and negotiation skills can help social media managers increase their salaries.

So, now it’s over to you. Do you think social media managers are fairly compensated for what they do? Let us know in the comments below. And of course, if you found this post of value, please share it on your favourite social network of choice. We would appreciate it!

How Much Does a Social Media Manager Make?