Marketing
SEO Specialist — Career & Salary Intelligence
SEO Specialist careers, salary ranges across the US and Canada, education requirements, and growth outlook.
National median
$68,000
Entry (p10)
$45,000
Top 10% (p90)
$110,000
Career score
64/100
Moderate Career
Career overview
SEO Specialist careers, salary ranges across the US and Canada, education requirements, and growth outlook.
Career stability score 75/100. Automation risk 35/100. Remote-work compatibility 88/100.
Salary by experience
National baseline before location adjustments.
| Level | Years | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0–2 yrs | $51,000 |
| Junior | 3–5 yrs | $60,350 |
| Mid | 6–10 yrs | $68,000 |
| Senior | 11–15 yrs | $88,400 |
| Lead / Principal | 16–20 yrs | $108,800 |
| Executive / Top Performer | 20+ yrs | $128,384 |
Salary by location
Cost-of-living adjusted mid-level compensation.
| City | COL | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 187 | $127,200 | $205,700 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 176 | $119,700 | $193,600 |
| Toronto, ON | 135 | $91,800 | $148,500 |
| Chicago, IL | 107 | $72,800 | $117,700 |
| Houston, TX | 96 | $65,300 | $105,600 |
| Montreal, QC | 98 | $66,600 | $107,800 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 104 | $70,700 | $114,400 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 101 | $68,700 | $111,100 |
| San Antonio, TX | 90 | $61,200 | $99,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 160 | $108,800 | $176,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 103 | $70,000 | $113,300 |
| Calgary, AB | 107 | $72,800 | $117,700 |
Salary by education
Approximate compensation by educational attainment.
| Education level | Estimated salary | vs Bachelor's |
|---|---|---|
| High School | $48,000 | -30% |
| Associate Degree | $56,000 | -18% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $68,000 | — |
| Master's Degree | $85,000 | 25% |
| Doctorate / Professional | $105,000 | 55% |
| Professional Certifications | $76,000 | 12% |
10-year career growth forecast
Projected compensation assuming standard market growth.
Certifications that increase earnings
Google Ads / Analytics Certified
Performance marketing baseline
Approx. uplift: +6%
HubSpot Inbound
Demand-gen roles
Approx. uplift: +4%
Career Opportunity Score breakdown
Overall
64/100
Moderate
Moderate Career
Compensation
42/100
Weak
Growth
80/100
Excellent
Demand
69/100
Strong
Stability
75/100
Strong
Advancement
52/100
Moderate
Remote flexibility
88/100
Excellent
Frequently asked questions about SEO Specialist
Common questions about salary, education, growth, and total compensation.