Search Engine Land » SEO » SEO career: what it can look like and how to progress
People outside of the marketing world rarely know what SEO is or what initialism even means.
Within the industry, it’s a familiar term to all fear mongers. However, much less is actually understood about SEO – search engine optimization.
First, it’s important to understand that while SEO stands for search engine optimization, it’s also often used interchangeably to describe people who do SEO (a.k.a., SEO professionals). An SEO – or Search Engine Optimizer – does SEO. SEOs do SEO.
To avoid further confusion, we will refer to people who do SEO as SEO professionals.
SEO professionals are a special breed of marketers from many walks of life.
But there are some characteristics and experiences that many of us have in common that I will try to organize as some of the most useful and common professional qualities that SEO professionals possess.
I’ll also cover what a career path to becoming one might look like.
How do you start an SEO career?
Historically, most SEO professionals did not plan on SEO as a career – at least until recently (starting in the late 1990s and early 2000s). It was because they couldn’t, really.
At the beginning of their educational journey, marketing or digital marketers very rarely – if ever – declared, “I want to optimize websites and chase the Google algorithm for brands to revolutionize the way people and businesses connect forever.”
The last part of that dubious statement was probably similar to something many marketers-in-training have said.
But getting there through website and brand optimization to get organic search engine visibility wasn’t likely the vehicle they had in mind at the time to achieve that.
It’s also rare to meet multiple SEO professionals who have forged the same path to becoming one.
But there are certainly overlaps of travel, profession and experience.
Some common prior areas of expertise for SEO professionals that often overlap include teaching, journalism, various math-focused professions, and the obvious traditional marketing focuses.
But as the World Wide Web has evolved the way it has over the past 30 years, opportunities have emerged in the marketing realm to help brands and people in new ways. And some have become more specialized – and more lucrative – than ever.
Organic search, paid media and social media are suitable channels for successful marketing strategies. And they are indirectly or directly created (or adapted for use) for the growth, prominence and usefulness of websites.
Today, as a result, high school and college students can set their sights on a digital marketing gig specializing in SEO. This will continue to become more common as secondary schools evolve to meet global needs, job demands and technology.
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Possible SEO career routes
Like most careers, there are multiple directions an SEO professional can take.
They will most likely start at an agency, which is a great place to start almost any career in marketing (or design, account management, video production, or sales).
There are usually tons of talented people with tons of knowledge and guidance to share, so it’s like getting an education for a paycheck.
You also get the chance to really find your niche in whatever aspect of digital marketing you end up in, whether it’s SEO itself or a more specific component within SEO.
Your first few years in SEO will likely shape your long-term future, at least to some degree.
You can also strengthen and/or stand out by demonstrating strengths with the above critical soft skills and your ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
A life at an agency allows those skills to shine, and at the same time you discover if a life at an agency is for you.
You must be able to constantly juggle multiple deliverables and multiple deadlines, often jumping between different projects during the same day and throughout the week.
Another direction you can go is directly in a company within a company.
But if you want to strengthen your SEO skills as a beginner, it could prove difficult without a good in-house SEO to guide you and teach you many of the basics needed for success.
Larger companies are more likely to have multiple qualified SEO professionals on the team at once. Entering such an opportunity is difficult for someone with little or no experience.
Another potential direction an SEO career could go is exclusively freelance or as an independent consultant.
This was probably the most common way to get into SEO when Google and the search engine were still in their teens. Today it has become more difficult as the search has become more complex and the choices for suppliers have increased significantly worldwide.
These are three different potential career routes an SEO could follow. They usually overlap at one or more points based on what the SEO wants to do which drives them in that direction.
All three majors also offer the opportunity to work in a variety of settings (ie, working in a traditional office environment, working from home, or a hybrid setting).
SEO, like most careers in digital marketing, offers flexibility when it comes to where you work and what time of day you do that work.
SEO job levels and salary ranges
SEO careers are likely to shift from entry-level to experienced roles. And when it comes to salary, like all things in SEO, it depends.
Many variables affect compensation, including your location, work environment, whether you work in-house or on the agency side, and experience level, among others. (We’ve done our best to put a general range at these levels.)
Entry-level
Salary range: $49K–$72K per year
So many jobs start with an entry-level, entry-level position, but it’s just as if you’re getting paid to continue your hands-on education in your specific field.
Landing that first entry-level position is usually a more difficult task. Once you take over, you’ll want to learn as much as you can as quickly as possible. Make sure you absorb as much as you can.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, for the lucky ones) having a great or terrible leader to guide and train you at this critical stage of your early career could make or break you. Make the most of it.
Junior SEO (SEO analyst, SEO specialist, etc.)
Salary range: $62K–$101K per year
Once you’ve mastered the basics and are running day-to-day tasks with limited help, your entry-level position should move up to something a little more senior, like an SEO analyst or expert (not really a senior position, though).
These junior SEO positions typically do a lot of data crunching and living in Excel building solid, effective SEO. These are time-consuming tasks that build SEO professionals at their core and cannot be replaced or shortened.
You will likely work closely with the SEO Manager and their Senior SEO Leader on:
SEO strategist
Salary range: $69K–$110K per year
After your time as a junior SEO, be prepared for a little more sanity, a little more account ownership, and even some chances to start training other new hires (regardless of experience levels).
Some of the “training” you do will probably not be very complicated SEO tasks, but internal tasks related to the SEO process in the company. This may include:
SEO manager
Salary range: $80K–$120K per year
SEO managers are usually the first management-oriented SEO roles within agencies. New SEO managers usually supervise one or two SEO professionals to get a feel for their style, effectiveness, strengths, and weaknesses.
These managers also typically manage several client accounts and their own workload.
This period in an SEO career can also allow people to see what their next role might look like by identifying the things they do and don’t like.
Senior manager (head of SEO, director of SEO, etc.)
Salary range: $109K–$192K per year
Successful SEO manager posts are usually followed by a higher version of it.
As a senior manager, who can also be the head of SEO or even a director, you take on significantly more responsibility, not only as an individual, but also as a representative of the agency or company you work for, as well as the clients you work for. with and represent as leaders of their organic initiatives.
Vice president
Salary range: $124K–$224K per year
VPs tend to be some of the most senior SEO-focused positions on the rise to the top.
While VPs of SEO/Organic are still highly integrated with SEO efforts and typically oversee entire teams or more in that area, they are still highly responsible for:
C-suite (CMO, CEO, etc.)
Salary range: $192K–$550K per year
This is probably the ultimate goal of many digital marketers, not just SEO professionals.
Some start their own companies, others join companies as veteran thought leaders and try to take those companies to the next level, and still others are just so right for the job that they don’t belong anywhere else.
Good, effective marketers will always be in demand, and the better ones will lead the best companies and their organic growth initiatives.
By the time SEO reaches the C-suite, it will likely:
Of course, these are not definitive paths through the SEO ranks.
Every company and agency has its own way of working. Sometimes it looks like this, other times it looks a little different, and occasionally it looks extremely different.
It’s important to stay on the path that works for you and take the necessary steps to get where you want to go.
Best ways to advance your SEO career
It is imperative to understand that SEO education never stops. Staying ahead of the game is one great factor that separates the decent from the great SEO pros.
As such, educating yourself on the many aspects of SEO and digital marketing should be a top priority for someone trying to get their feet wet in the profession for the first time.
Stay abreast of changes and developments in the industry through online SEO forums and news. Keep an eye on Google’s search blog.
From there, after the gig ends, the most important aspect of building an SEO career comes to you every day: actual SEO experience with clients, internal stakeholders, vendors, and/or agency partners, among others.
And after that you will continue your education. Almost every day you will read blogs and news from the ever-changing industry.
You will attend top conferences and virtual seminars. Eventually, you might be speaking at these events and mentoring SEO professionals from around the world.
SEO professionals love helping each other as much as they love learning from each other. It’s one of the best parts of SEO, and because of that, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any great SEO who doesn’t love another great SEO. We’re in this together and there’s a lot to look forward to!
The daily trials and tribulations in the field are the best way to find your way as an SEO.
First and foremost, you should know if SEO is right for you early and often. I know I did, and I still do.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily those of Search Engine Land. The employed authors are listed here.
Sam Hollingsworth is a native New Yorker (Upstate) currently living in Saratoga Springs, New York, and helps lead the SEO efforts for Moving Traffic Media as the SEO Director. With experience in general SEO – specializing in local SEO, e-commerce SEO and international SEO – as well as content strategy, social media and client services, when Sam is not investing time in a digital agency, she is likely enjoying one of the many US historic thoroughbred racetracks, enjoying the great outdoors (Adirondack Mountains, Great Sacandaga Lake, and more) and hanging out with my family on whatever adventures they can find.
Can you learn SEO in 3 months?
Experts say it usually takes one to three months to learn the basics of SEO and a year or more to fully master the practice. The length of time it takes to learn the basics of SEO depends on several factors.
Is SEO hard to learn? SEO isn’t that hard to learn, but it can be confusing and overwhelming to begin with. Learning SEO means learning about a long list of individual digital marketing strategies, which can feel like adding new weapons to your arsenal as you learn how to wield them.
Can I learn SEO in month?
Although it’s a career journey, you can really learn SEO in about a month – enough to make a huge impact on your website and therefore your business as a whole.
Does SEO need to be done monthly?
SEO is an ongoing process that needs to be constantly monitored and adjusted to be effective. Search engine algorithms are constantly changing, so you need to regularly adjust your SEO strategies to keep up. If you don’t do SEO every month, your competitors will outrank you in the search engine results pages (SERPs).
Can I learn SEO in 2 months?
It takes 1-3 months to learn SEO at a basic level and even 6-18 months to learn SEO at an advanced level. How much time it takes to learn SEO depends on the number of hours each day you can study search engine optimization.
Can I learn SEO in 2 months?
It takes 1-3 months to learn SEO at a basic level and even 6-18 months to learn SEO at an advanced level. How much time it takes to learn SEO depends on the number of hours each day you can study search engine optimization.
Is SEO difficult to learn?
SEO is not necessarily difficult to learn, but it does take time, effort and persistence. If you’re just starting out and don’t know anything about search engines and how they work, you can expect to feel overwhelmed at first, especially if you’re trying to learn SEO on your own. However, it is important to keep trying.
How long does it take to get Google SEO certified?
On average, students need a week to complete the course and receive the certificate. The cost of this course is $89 (one-time payment) and is offered as part of an SEO course package that includes 3 other courses (Keyword Research Course, eCommerce SEO Course, and Google Analytics Course).
Can I learn SEO in 2 months?
It takes 1-3 months to learn SEO at a basic level and even 6-18 months to learn SEO at an advanced level. How much time it takes to learn SEO depends on the number of hours each day you can study search engine optimization.
How long does it take to learn SEO? If you can learn SEO for a few hours every day, then you can master the basics of SEO within 4-8 weeks and get your first SEO job in 3-6 months. If you can learn SEO full time then you can master the basics even in 1-2 weeks.
How long does it take to get Google SEO certified?
On average, students need a week to complete the course and receive the certificate. The cost of this course is $89 (one-time payment) and is offered as part of an SEO course package that includes 3 other courses (Keyword Research Course, eCommerce SEO Course, and Google Analytics Course).
Is Google SEO certificate worth it?
An SEO certification will give you a basic knowledge of all the different types of SEO, but you won’t have the same knowledge as an expert with 10 years of experience. However, it may be worth getting an SEO certification even if you end up hiring an agency.
Is Google SEO difficult to learn?
SEO is not necessarily difficult to learn, but it does take time, effort and persistence. If you’re just starting out and don’t know anything about search engines and how they work, you can expect to feel overwhelmed at first, especially if you’re trying to learn SEO on your own. However, it is important to keep trying.
Is SEO difficult to learn?
SEO is not necessarily difficult to learn, but it does take time, effort and persistence. If you’re just starting out and don’t know anything about search engines and how they work, you can expect to feel overwhelmed at first, especially if you’re trying to learn SEO on your own. However, it is important to keep trying.
Is SEO an easy job?
You will need to be willing to learn new things SEO can be a very good career choice if you are willing to put in the work, but it is also important to remember that the field is constantly changing and you will need to be willing to learn new things.
Can You Learn SEO by yourself?
It is possible to learn how to do SEO on your own, you don’t need to be an SEO specialist or expert. The first thing you need to do is to make sure that SEO is not difficult. If others can do it, so can you. All that is needed is the will to learn and the time.
Can I learn SEO in a month?
Although it’s a career journey, you can really learn SEO in about a month – enough to make a huge impact on your website and therefore your business as a whole.
How much SEO earn monthly?
Average Rs 33,713 per month.
How much money can you make in SEO? So, how much can you earn doing SEO? As of September 2021, most SEO professionals can earn between $113,518 and $131,590. Salaries depend on many factors including education, certifications, work experience and additional skills.
Is SEO is a good career?
‘ Yes. SEO is a good career option as it is among the most sought after careers in the digital marketing field. There are several organizations around the world that employ SEO professionals to generate better content and thus generate more business leads.
Is SEO job in demand?
SEO is a promising career in 2022 as it gives you access to various opportunities. You can work from home, take on clients and even start and develop your own websites. In addition, the three most popular websites, Google.com, YouTube.com, and Amazon.com, are the largest search engines.
Does SEO pay well?
SEO Specialist Salary by Years of Experience The average salary for an SEO specialist with 7 years of experience is $75,067. Average salary for
How much does a Google SEO make?
Salaries for SEO experts at Google can range from $60,000 to $121,000. The marketing department at Google earns an average of $251 more than the design department. Last updated a day ago.
How can I earn from Google SEO?
Creating a popular blog through organic traffic and monetizing through ads and/or affiliate sales. Creating a popular website ranking in search engines and selling related physical or digital eCommerce products. Creating a popular SEO blog and teaching what you’ve learned (and what works) with an SEO course.
Is it worth paying for Google SEO?
SEO is worth the effort if you have the right strategy and work with a partner who knows how to get results. About 93% of online experiences start with a search engine, and the close SEO lead rate is much higher than traditional marketing. Thus, SEO provides an impressive return on investment (ROI).
How much does a SEO beginner make?
According to Edoxi’s Salary Trend Report, which predicts salaries for digital marketing jobs in the coming year, US-based entry-level SEO professionals can expect a starting SEO salary of $35,000, mid-career SEO professionals are likely to earn closer to $47,000 and experienced SEO experts will earn an average of $65,000 in …
Is a career in SEO worth it?
The simple answer is yes, SEO is a good career. SEO professionals can make good money, achieve a comfortable work-life balance, find a position in an industry that matches their natural skill set, and challenge themselves creatively.
How much do SEO freelancers make 2022?
How much does Freelance SEO earn? As of October 25, 2022, the average annual salary for a freelance SEO in the United States is $63,490 per year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, it will be roughly $30.52 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,220 per week or $5,290 per month.
How do I start my SEO career?
How to become an SEO expert in five steps:
- Learn the basics of SEO.
- Learn about key SEO tools.
- Keep growing and practicing your SEO skills.
- Develop a portfolio of projects to showcase your SEO work.
- Optimize your own website to develop your SEO skills.
Is a career in SEO worth it? The simple answer is yes, SEO is a good career. SEO professionals can make good money, achieve a comfortable work-life balance, find a position in an industry that matches their natural skill set, and challenge themselves creatively.
What qualifications do I need to be a SEO?
According to eHow.com, most SEO specialist positions require the following: a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or information technology. From one to three years in online marketing. Knowledge of HTML, CSS and various programming languages.
Is SEO job stressful?
Any job can be stressful given the type of performance your company requires. It’s the same with SEO jobs. However, it is not as stressful as IT or other programming jobs.