SEO Salary US: Here’s What You’ll Make

Thinking about getting into SEO in the US? Smart move. Businesses care a lot about showing up in search results, and they need people who truly understand SEO. If you’re aiming for a job in SEO, or already working in it, it helps to know what kind of money’s on the table and how to boost your value. We’re here to answer: what is an SEO salary in the US (don’t worry we have sources)

We’ve broken it down: what SEO specialists actually do, how much they earn, what affects your salary, and a few tips on negotiating better pay.

What Do SEO Specialists Do?

In short, you help websites rank higher on Google (And LLMs, AI etc. soon if not already) . The job can vary depending on the company or team, but here’s what most SEO specialists handle:

Technical SEO – Audit sites for crawl issues, speed, mobile UX, etc. Fix what’s stopping Google from indexing pages.
Keyword research – Find search terms with volume, low competition. Build content around those.
Content optimization – Work with content teams or write yourself. Make sure content targets the right keywords.
Link building – Reach out to other sites for backlinks. More good links = higher authority = better rankings.
Reporting & strategy – Track rankings, traffic, and conversions. Adjust SEO strategy based on data.

SEO Salary in the US: How Much Can You Make?

Here’s the short version:

Entry-level (0-2 yrs): ~$45K-$60K/year
Mid-level (3-5 yrs): ~$65K-$85K/year
Senior SEO: ~$90K-$120K+
SEO Manager or Director: $110K-$160K+
Freelancers: Depends, some make $50/hr, others $150/hr+

👉 Sources:

What Affects Your Salary as a US SEO?

1. Experience

More time in SEO = higher pay. Entry-level folks are closer to $50K. With a few years under your belt, and wins (CASE STUDIES TOO – tip from our SEO recruitment team) to prove it, you can jump to $75K+. Specialists who can own strategy and show results are the ones who get paid more.

2. Location

Yes, remote work is huge now, but some places still pay more.
Here’s a quick city breakdown (averages):

NYC: $80K-$100K
San Francisco: $90K+
Austin, Seattle, LA: ~$75K-$95K
Midwest, South: $60K-$75K

Cost of living plays a role here too. Remote roles at coastal companies might pay more than local ones.

3. Company Type

Big tech or funded startups? They’ll usually pay more.
Digital marketing agencies? Often a bit lower, but the best place to learn.
Ecom brands and SaaS companies? Solid pay, especially if SEO drives revenue.

4. Freelance vs In-House

Freelancers can earn more per hour, but it’s less stable. You’re also your own biz: you sell, pitch, manage clients, and do the work.

In-house = steady salary, benefits, less chaos, smaller employment market
Freelance = more freedom, more risk, higher potential if you scale, more aggressive strategies.

How to Negotiate Your SEO Salary

Some quick tips:

Show proof – Rankings, traffic growth, links built, revenue impact. Screenshots from GA, GSC, Ahrefs, etc. Numbers speak louder than buzzwords.
Know market rates – Use sites like Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, or Blind to check what others in your area or skill level earn.
Push for total comp – Not just base salary. Ask about:
- Bonuses
- Remote, hybrid options
- Career development budget
- Flexible hours
- PTO

Sometimes benefits make up for a slightly lower salary.

Don’t undersell – If you’re getting results, ask for what you’re worth. Worst case? They say no. Best case? You get it.

Next Steps: Get Hired Faster with SEO.Careers

If you’re job hunting in SEO, check out SEO.Careers, we match SEOs with companies looking for talent. We talk to businesses to understand exactly what kind of SEO they need, then find candidates who fit.

It’s a good way to avoid the endless apply, wait cycle.

Bottom Line

SEO is a growing field, and companies need people who can drive traffic. Whether you’re starting out or going for a manager role, knowing your worth and having the right skills puts you in a strong spot.

Keep learning, get your wins, and don’t settle for low pay.