Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (occupation group), with detailed role definition from O*NET, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
Typical entry preparation: Bachelor's Degree and up to 2 years of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
Manage tracking and reporting of search-related activities and provide analyses to marketing executives.
Optimize digital assets, such as text, graphics, or multimedia assets, for search engine optimization (SEO) or for display and usability on internet-connected devices.
Collect and analyze Web metrics, such as visits, time on site, page views per visit, transaction volume and revenue, traffic mix, click-through rates, conversion rates, cost per acquisition, or cost per click.
Participate in the development or implementation of online marketing strategy.
Optimize Web site exposure by analyzing search engine patterns to direct online placement of keywords or other content.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningActive Learning
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Search Marketing Strategist pay by experience level
Entry level$45,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$60,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$81,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$112,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$161,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+6.7%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
87,200
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Search Marketing Strategist salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
248,820 workers
$94,500
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
104,250 workers
$90,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
74,470 workers
$108,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
74,470 workers
$108,000
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
46,310 workers
$111,500
Administrative and Support Services
45,260 workers
$83,500
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
41,070 workers
$85,500
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
36,260 workers
$95,000
Insurance Carriers and Related Activities
35,760 workers
$94,000
Publishing Industries
35,010 workers
$119,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Pay trend
National median annual wage, 2020 to 2025: $65,810 to $78,760.
+19.7% over this period
Medians as published each May in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national estimates. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS.
Pay by experience level
How annual pay for this occupation spreads from newcomers to the highest paid, aged to 2026.
Entry10th percentile
$45,000
Early career25th percentile
$60,500
Median50th percentile
$81,500
Experienced75th percentile
$112,000
Top earners90th percentile
$161,000
Bands are the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages for this occupation nationally. Percentiles reflect the full mix of tenure, employer, and location, so they approximate but do not equal years of experience. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS national estimates.
Where this job pays most
Top-paying states for this occupation, average annual wage aged to 2026.
State averages for this occupation from the BLS OEWS state estimates. Cost of living differs by state; a higher wage does not always mean more buying power.
The abilities employers and analysts most associate with this occupation.
Reading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningActive Learning
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET occupational database.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Manage tracking and reporting of search-related activities and provide analyses to marketing executives.
Optimize digital assets, such as text, graphics, or multimedia assets, for search engine optimization (SEO) or for display and usability on internet-connected devices.
Collect and analyze Web metrics, such as visits, time on site, page views per visit, transaction volume and revenue, traffic mix, click-through rates, conversion rates, cost per acquisition, or cost per click.
Participate in the development or implementation of online marketing strategy.
Optimize Web site exposure by analyzing search engine patterns to direct online placement of keywords or other content.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
Pay outlook
Five-year pay outlook for this title
2026$92,500
2027$95,500
2028$99,000
2029$102,500
2030$106,000
2031$110,000
Projection assumes market wages keep rising about 3.5% a year, consistent with recent wage growth measured by the BLS Employment Cost Index. It reflects market movement for the title, not individual raises or promotions, which vary.
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Sources and assumptions
Modeled market estimate, aged to 2026. Underlying source families are BLS OEWS May 2025 for BLS-mapped occupations and the 2018–19 collection for corporate titles. Annual aging is compounded at approximately 3–4%; geographic, industry and company-size repricing are modeled. See the role details and methodology for the applicable source and assumptions.
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The median market pay for a Search Marketing Strategist in the United States is about $92,500 per year in 2026, based on WePayFairly's market model.
What is the salary range for a Search Marketing Strategist?
Most Search Marketing Strategist pay falls between about $60,500 (25th percentile) and $112,000 (75th percentile), with top earners above $161,000.
What does a Search Marketing Strategist do?
Core responsibilities include: manage tracking and reporting of search-related activities and provide analyses to marketing executives; and optimize digital assets, such as text, graphics, or multimedia assets, for search engine optimization (SEO) or for display and usability on internet-connected devices.
Is pay for Search Marketing Strategist roles growing?
Yes. The national median wage for this occupation moved from $65,810 in 2020 to $78,760 in 2025, a change of +19.7% in nominal dollars.
How this role compares
Search Marketing Strategist pays 2% below the average across 47 roles in the Business and Financial Operations job family (family average $94,500).
Similar-paying roles in Business and Financial Operations
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Search Marketing Strategist make?
The average base salary for a Search Marketing Strategist in the United States is $92,500 per year, or about $44.47 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $60,500 and $112,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Business and Financial Operations roles?
The Business and Financial Operations job family averages $94,500 across 47 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Search Marketing Strategist pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
