A SEO of Opportunity - 7 Career Paths for Today's SEO Specialist (2024)

Search engine optimization or SEO is a concept that has existed for less than two decades, but it is one that has driven a huge influx of jobs which marketers and men and women from nearly every industry have created careers in. Today, there are over 1 billion websites and each of these must jockey for attention in the search engine results pages of Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other lesser known search tools. SEO is still the king for organic and Content discover, after all.

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An SEO professional is a person who specializes in learning and mastering the algorithms behind search engine results so that they can help their clients and companies appear in search.

At first, most search professionals were individuals experienced in marketing their own companies or pages. Today, however, SEO is taught as part of digital marketing, and many SEO professionals learn skills from classes and certifications, and then go on to earn salaries commensurate with their level, job role, and the size of the company they work for. Most modern SEO professionals are expected to have skills in data analytics, writing, marketing, research, web content, HTML, link building, competitor analysis, and keyword research. Expertise in using SEO tools like Raven, Moz, and others is also essential.

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SEO professionals are in high demand, as companies need search optimization in order to compete in most niches. SEO specialists are hired as part of digital and content marketing programs, by web developers, as content marketers, and in many other roles, simply because companies need web traffic in order to make digital campaigns successful. Whether you're currently a search engine optimization professional or are working on building your way into the field, an SEO career promises excitement and tremendous potential for growth.

But how do you advance in your SEO career? Once you’ve mastered the black art of search engine optimization, what do you focus on to add the most value to your career?

In my experience, most SEO professionals stay within marketing, using their analytical skills and deep learning experience in digital marketing to carve out successful careers in the field.

Here are 7 popular roles and career paths for new and experienced SEO professionals looking to take the next step in their career.

  1. Search Engine Marketer

    Search engine optimization and search engine marketing (SEM) are often lumped together, but in practice they are very different. SEM is much broader and incorporates SEO. SEM requires that you learn new skills including Pay Per Click marketing (PPC), advertising, and some customer relationship management, as you will have to work to market to consumers as well as to search engines. While many SEM professionals specialize solely in paid search, you can branch into SEM and SEO to handle both aspects. Search Engine Marketers earn a median salary of $45,255 according to Payscale, or an average of $2,300 more per year than a standard SEO specialist. Mastering Google AdWords, Bing AdWords, and various web analytics is a must for this position.
  2. Business Marketing Consultant

    Some search engine optimization specialists go on to become public speakers, professional business consultants, and marketing consultants. While this position typically requires that you have demonstrated success with your own business or someone else's, it does afford the ability to work with companies almost everywhere, become a public speaker, and work with businesses on a client basis to improve their marketing and strategic planning. In most cases, working as a consultant will require you to work with clients to provide solutions to their specific needs, plan and assist in implementing search and other marketing initiatives, measure the effectiveness of existing strategies as well as ones that you put into place, and provide long-term support and strategization to those companies. In short, consultation is an ideal job if you are idea and strategy driven. The median salary for a business marketing consultant is $57,610 per year.

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    A SEO of Opportunity - 7 Career Paths for Today's SEO Specialist (3)

  3. Digital Marketer

    Moving into digital marketing is an easy way to utilize your existing SEO experience while broadening your range of skills and increasing your salary. Digital marketers typically handle all types of online marketing including SEO, SEM, PPC, and social media. This means that you must be able to create and implement marketing strategies, utilize SEO, work with content planning, understand and utilize social media as part of long-term strategies, use analytics and data management, and work with advertising platforms to drive paid traffic. A digital marketer earns a median salary of about $46,919 per year, but relevant qualifications in web marketing, communications, and strategic marketing can boost your salary.
  4. Marketing Analyst

    Data analytics is a large part of search optimization and as an SEO specialist you are likely very familiar with it. As a marketing analyst, your key responsibilities are using numbers to track the performance of existing initiatives, identify opportunities for new ones, and generate forecasts and reports based on data. Marketing analysts earn an average of $52,176 per year, and can benefit from qualifications in business analysis, strategy, market research, and SQL.
  5. Content Marketer

    Content marketing is a natural step for SEOs who prefer working with content rather than links and numbers. Content marketers require SEO skills as they work with the direct creation of web content, blogs, outreach material, videos, graphics, reports, and other content. While your exact role will vary depending on the company, most content marketing professionals fit into a marketing team to act on the content decisions in a marketing plan. With a median salary of $56,414 for newcomers to the field, content marketing also pays significantly higher than SEO on its own.
  6. SEO Manager

    Search engine optimization often requires a team of analysts, data managers, SEO specialists, content strategists, technology experts, and so on. The larger a company, the larger their SEO team will be, and the more they will benefit from an SEO manager. Managers must understand search engine optimization and potentially search engine marketing, but directly oversee a team and marketing strategies rather than directly working with the mundane elements of data and link analysis. If you are people oriented, this can be more exciting than SEO itself. SEO managers earn a median income of $64,358 but may have a diverse array of responsibilities depending on the company and the size of the team.
  7. Entrepreneur

    Starting your own business allows you to bring your skills as a Search Engine Optimization specialist and offer them to businesses on your own terms. Unfortunately, your salary can greatly vary depending on your business, your launch, and the services you offer, so there is no one set general salary for those who choose to start a business in SEO or in digital marketing. However, if you do have something to offer to businesses, prefer to work on a contract basis, or have another reason to launch your own company, starting your own business can be rewarding and profitable in the long term.

As an SEO, you will earn a median of $42,931, and you will work in a career that is growing quickly with multiple areas for you to branch your career out into. This gives you a unique opportunity to build your career and then branch it into something that is more interesting, or that offers a higher paygrade so that you can continue to grow and improve.

To get an in-depth understanding of Search Engine Optimization, enroll for the SEO Certification and prepare yourself for SEO Interview questions to land at your dream job!

A SEO of Opportunity - 7 Career Paths for Today's SEO Specialist (2024)

FAQs

Is SEO Specialist 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, hiring SEO professionals to generate better content and hence produce more business leads.

How can I become SEO Expert in 2022? ›

Steps to Become an SEO Expert
  1. Learn the basics of how search engines work.
  2. Understand SEO strategies and concepts.
  3. Participate in SEO training.
  4. Keep up with industry trends and news.
  5. Get familiar with SEO tools.
  6. Experiment with SEO tactics on your website or blog.
  7. Show employers your efforts and results.
24 Aug 2022

What is the minimum salary of SEO? ›

Average starting Salary for SEO in India is around ₹1.0 Lakhs per year (₹8.3k per month). 1 year of minimum experience is required to be a SEO. What is the highest salary for a SEO in India? Highest salary that a SEO can earn is ₹11.3 Lakhs per year (₹94.2k per month).

Is SEO job stressful? ›

Any job can be stressful based on the type of performance required by your company. It is the same with SEO-related jobs. However, it is not as stressful as IT or other programming-related jobs.

Is SEO a high paying job? ›

The highest salary for SEO jobs in India with 5-10 years of experience is 15-30 lakh per annum or more.

Can I teach myself SEO? ›

It is possible to learn how to do SEO on your own, you don't have to be an SEO specialist or expert. The first thing to do is convince yourself that SEO is not hard. If others can do it, so can you. All it takes is the willingness to learn and time.

How long does it take to learn SEO? ›

If you can learn SEO for a couple of hours every day, then you can master the basics of SEO within 4-8 weeks and land your first SEO job in 3-6 months. If you can learn SEO full-time, then you can master the basics even within 1-2 weeks.

Is SEO a skill? ›

While it might not sound as obvious as tech skills like coding languages or web design, search engine optimization is a crucial skill for almost any web-related role.

How can I learn SEO for free? ›

  1. Reliablesoft Digital Marketing Academy.
  2. Yoast Free SEO Course.
  3. Udemy Free SEO Course.
  4. Clickminded Free SEO Course.
  5. HubSpot Free SEO Course.
  6. SEMRUSH Free SEO Course.
  7. Coursera Free SEO Course.
  8. Moz Free SEO Course.
6 Jul 2022

Does SEO require coding? ›

The short answer is: no, SEO typically doesn't require much (or any) hands-on coding. You can absolutely do a fine job of SEO without touching code. But the longer answer is that yes, a good sense of how programming works, or even an ability to do a bit of coding yourself, is always a useful skill to have.

What skills do you need for SEO? ›

Here are the top eight skills I look for when hiring an SEO.
  • Critical Thinking. ...
  • Speaking & Writing Ability. ...
  • Technical & Programming Skills. ...
  • Social Skills. ...
  • Analytics Skills. ...
  • Data Skills. ...
  • Drive, Motivation & Adaptability. ...
  • A Sense of Humor.
13 Jul 2021

How much do freelance SEO make? ›

How much does a Freelance SEO make? As of Oct 17, 2022, the average annual pay for a Freelance SEO in the United States is $63,490 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $30.52 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,220/week or $5,290/month.

How much do SEO specialists make? ›

People falling under the catch-all title SEO Specialist can earn between $55,000 to $80,000. For more junior positions, like SEO Researchers, the salary ranges from $30,000 to $60,000 and $35,000 to $75,000 for Content Writers.

How do I start a career in SEO? ›

How to become an SEO Specialist in five steps:
  1. Learn SEO fundamentals.
  2. Get to know key SEO tools.
  3. Keep growing and practicing your SEO skills.
  4. Develop a portfolio of projects to showcase your SEO work.
  5. Optimize your own website to develop your SEO skills.

Is Learning SEO worth it in 2022? ›

Yes, SEO is worth it—in 2022, in the future, in the past, and always. As long as websites and search engines exist, SEO is necessary. SEO 10 years from now will likely be very different from SEO today, but you'll always have to make sure your website is sending search engines the right signals so you can be found.

Is it worth to learn SEO? ›

SEO is worthwhile if you have the right strategy in place and work with a partner that knows how to get results. About 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine, and the close rate of SEO leads is much higher than that of traditional marketing. So, SEO provides an impressive return on investment (ROI).

Is SEO a tech job? ›

As mentioned earlier, SEO is one of the IT-related jobs that don't require coding. You can be great at SEO without coding a single line. However, some SEO functions may require technical skills. Technical SEO includes the technical features that need optimization to improve its visibility and ranking on SERP.

What is the first step to start SEO? ›

Defining the relevant keywords is the first step in creating a search engine optimized website content. By using the keywords and building your themes around them will create content that gives answers to Google searches.

How much does SEO training cost? ›

This certification course will teach you everything you need to know about SEO, including website optimization, link building, keyword research, and much more. The cost of pursuing a paid course ranges from INR 385 - 80,000. Complete an SEO course may take up to 5-6 months.

Can I learn SEO in a week? ›

How Quickly Can I Learn SEO? You can learn SEO as quickly as 2-4 weeks if you study search engine optimization for several hours per day. The speed at which you can learn the fundamentals of SEO is not bound by time, but by how quickly you understand the concepts that apply to SEO campaigns.

How much is SEO per month? ›

Average SEO costs are $100-$250 an hour for US SEO agencies. SEO costs often range from $2,500 – $10,000 per month for US agencies. The average SEO plan costs $2819 per month (per Ahrefs) Overseas SEO companies may charge $10-$50 an hour.

Can You learn SEO in a month? ›

While it's a career-long journey, you can indeed learn SEO in about a month — enough to make a huge impact on your website and thus your business as a whole.

Why is SEO hard? ›

To sum it up, SEO is difficult because search engines are always changing and updating. It could be anything from Google changing the way it looks at a certain type of link, including a new major update to their algorithm, or even recognizing something new as a ranking factor.

How can I be good at SEO? ›

Follow these suggestions to improve your search engine optimization (SEO) and watch your website rise the ranks to the top of search-engine results.
  • Publish Relevant, Authoritative Content. ...
  • Update Your Content Regularly. ...
  • Metadata. ...
  • Have a link-worthy site. ...
  • Use alt tags.

What is basic SEO knowledge? ›

SEO involves keyword research, content creation, on-page SEO, link building, and technical SEO. Doing SEO is much easier when your website is properly set up for SEO success. Google will usually find and index your website on its own, but you can sometimes speed the process up by submitting your sitemap.

How can I practice SEO at home? ›

6 Steps to Learn SEO for Free – Learn SEO at Home
  1. Understand the goal of SEO. ...
  2. Master keyword research. ...
  3. Know the difference between on-page and off-page SEO. ...
  4. Learn to identify UX signals. ...
  5. Embrace SEO-friendly content creation. ...
  6. Start link building.

What is the best SEO online course? ›

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular seo courses
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO) with Squarespace: Coursera Project Network.
  • Google SEO Fundamentals: University of California, Davis.
  • Getting Started in Google Analytics: Coursera Project Network.
  • Brand Marketing and SEO Tools using Wix: Coursera Project Network.

Where can I learn SEO from scratch? ›

Websites to Learn SEO Online
  • Web-Savvy-Marketing.
  • SEO 101.
  • Google.
  • Moz.com.
  • Search Engine Watch.
  • Webmaster World.
  • Search Engine Journal.
  • Search Engine Land.
19 Aug 2021

What language should I learn for SEO? ›

SEO professionals are being encouraged to learn coding languages that can help them automate many of the tasks that are typically done manually. In particular, search marketers are being encouraged to spend time learning Python and JavaScript, among other coding languages.

Does SEO have a future? ›

Some of the prominent ways in which AI tools have proven their effectiveness are SEO keyword research, content creation, traffic and site growth analysis, voice search, and SEO workflows. These applications have made it evident that the future of SEO is in Artificial Intelligence.

What does a SEO specialist do? ›

As an SEO specialist you'll identify strategies, techniques and tactics to increase the number of visitors to a website and obtain a high-ranking placement in the results page of search engines. By generating more leads for the business you'll open up new opportunities for driving growth and profit.

Can I do SEO part time? ›

It's totally possible to learn the basic skills needed in order to do SEO freelance work in a weekend, however, if you're really going to be successful with it as a business you'll need to be able to prove you know what you're doing. So think of your personal site as your SEO resume.

How do you charge for SEO services? ›

What are the Different Types of Local SEO Services?
  1. Automated Local SEO (cost 3000-5000 per month) Automated Local SEO cost generally runs between 3000 to 5000 per month. ...
  2. Small Scale Local SEO (cost 5000-10000 per month) ...
  3. Comprehensive Local SEO (cost starting at 10,000 per month)

What is your current hourly rate as an SEO professional? ›

The average hourly wage for a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Manager in the United States is $44 as of September 26, 2022, but the salary range typically falls between $38 and $50.

How much do SEO specialists make? ›

People falling under the catch-all title SEO Specialist can earn between $55,000 to $80,000. For more junior positions, like SEO Researchers, the salary ranges from $30,000 to $60,000 and $35,000 to $75,000 for Content Writers.

Does SEO have a future? ›

Some of the prominent ways in which AI tools have proven their effectiveness are SEO keyword research, content creation, traffic and site growth analysis, voice search, and SEO workflows. These applications have made it evident that the future of SEO is in Artificial Intelligence.

Is SEO Worth Learning 2022? ›

Yes, SEO is worth it—in 2022, in the future, in the past, and always. As long as websites and search engines exist, SEO is necessary. SEO 10 years from now will likely be very different from SEO today, but you'll always have to make sure your website is sending search engines the right signals so you can be found.

Is it worth to learn SEO? ›

SEO is worthwhile if you have the right strategy in place and work with a partner that knows how to get results. About 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine, and the close rate of SEO leads is much higher than that of traditional marketing. So, SEO provides an impressive return on investment (ROI).

Is SEO a full time job? ›

SEO involves many areas from content writing to technical optimizations and all that falls in-between. It's a full time gig, not one for just the weekends or as an employee's third responsibility.

How much is SEO per month? ›

Average SEO costs are $100-$250 an hour for US SEO agencies. SEO costs often range from $2,500 – $10,000 per month for US agencies. The average SEO plan costs $2819 per month (per Ahrefs) Overseas SEO companies may charge $10-$50 an hour.

How do I start a career in SEO? ›

How to become an SEO Specialist in five steps:
  1. Learn SEO fundamentals.
  2. Get to know key SEO tools.
  3. Keep growing and practicing your SEO skills.
  4. Develop a portfolio of projects to showcase your SEO work.
  5. Optimize your own website to develop your SEO skills.

What degree teaches SEO? ›

There are no formal higher education programs specifically tailored to teaching SEO. However, SEO managers often hold a bachelor's degree in marketing or a related field. Keep reading to learn the step-by-step instructions for starting your career as an SEO manager. Earn a bachelor's degree in marketing.

How long does it take to become an SEO expert? ›

How Long Does It Take to Become an SEO Specialist? The basis of search engine optimization should take at least three months to master. But when it comes to the advanced concepts, it can take anywhere from six to 12 months. This all depends on the platform you choose for your training.

Will SEO exist in 5 years? ›

SEO will not be eliminated within the next five years because social media and search engines will more than likely merge. Facebook has already begun to do this: they average over 1.5 billion searches every day. Twitter has done the same; they joined in partnership with Google.

Does SEO require coding? ›

The short answer is: no, SEO typically doesn't require much (or any) hands-on coding. You can absolutely do a fine job of SEO without touching code. But the longer answer is that yes, a good sense of how programming works, or even an ability to do a bit of coding yourself, is always a useful skill to have.

Is SEO good for freelancing? ›

If you want to become an SEO freelancer, you're in good company. This is a popular choice for freelancers and an in-demand field. Any place with a website wants its webpages to show up on the top search results. It can make or break their business or income stream.

Can I learn SEO in a week? ›

How Quickly Can I Learn SEO? You can learn SEO as quickly as 2-4 weeks if you study search engine optimization for several hours per day. The speed at which you can learn the fundamentals of SEO is not bound by time, but by how quickly you understand the concepts that apply to SEO campaigns.

Where can I learn SEO for free? ›

  • Reliablesoft Digital Marketing Academy.
  • Yoast Free SEO Course.
  • Udemy Free SEO Course.
  • Clickminded Free SEO Course.
  • HubSpot Free SEO Course.
  • SEMRUSH Free SEO Course.
  • Coursera Free SEO Course.
  • Moz Free SEO Course.
6 Jul 2022

Where can I learn SEO from scratch? ›

Websites to Learn SEO Online
  • Web-Savvy-Marketing.
  • SEO 101.
  • Google.
  • Moz.com.
  • Search Engine Watch.
  • Webmaster World.
  • Search Engine Journal.
  • Search Engine Land.
19 Aug 2021

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