Voices of Search Podcast: SEO Jobs Week - SEO Salaries Release Date: April 18, 2025
Hosts:
- Tyson Stockton – Host from Previsible IO
- Nick Leroy – Founder of SEOjobs.com
1. Introduction to the Episode
In this highly anticipated episode of the Voices of Search podcast, host Tyson Stockton teams up with Nick Leroy to delve into the latest findings from the SEO Jobs Week study, focusing specifically on SEO salaries. Aimed at demystifying salary trends and providing actionable insights, the discussion seeks to shed light on the current state of the SEO job market.
2. The Importance of Discussing SEO Salaries
The conversation kicks off with both hosts emphasizing the often-overlooked topic of salary discussions within the SEO community. Nick Leroy highlights the necessity of making salary conversations less taboo, stating, “I feel like this is probably going to be the most anticipated episode where we dive into salary” (01:14).
3. Key Findings on Job Titles and Median Salaries
Tyson introduces the study's approach, which involved categorizing thousands of SEO job titles into common roles to analyze median salaries accurately. The primary job titles discussed include VP of SEO, Director of SEO, Technical SEO, Content SEO, SEO Manager, and SEO Analyst.
- SEO Analyst: Median salary around $75K.
- SEO Manager: Median salary around $80K.
- Content SEO: Median salary under $70K.
- Technical SEO: Median salary significantly higher at $97.5K.
Nick points out a striking revelation: less than 15% of SEO jobs offer six-figure salaries (03:32). This underscores the reality that many SEO professionals may not achieve six-figure incomes, contrary to popular belief.
4. In-House vs. Agency Roles: Salary Differences
The discussion transitions to the distinction between in-house and agency positions. Tyson reveals that in-house roles generally offer higher salaries compared to agency positions. For instance, median salaries rise progressively with the size of the company:
- 0 to 250 employees: ~$72K
- 250 to 1,000 employees: ~$90K
- 1,000 to 5,000 employees: ~$108K
- 5,000 to 10,000 employees: ~$115K
- Over 100,000 employees: Over $125K
Tyson attributes this disparity to larger businesses having the capacity to offer higher salaries and the structured environments that come with bigger organizations (10:46). Nick adds that in-house roles often require broader skills, including advocacy and strategic planning, which justify higher compensation (14:11).
5. Geographic Analysis: States and Cities with Highest Salaries
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing salary variations across different states and cities:
-
Top Paying States:
- Washington: Median salary $107K
- California: Median salary $102K
- New York: Median salary $100K
- Texas and Illinois: Median salary $90K
- Colorado: Median salary $88K
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Top Paying Cities:
- San Francisco: Often exceeds $175K in median salaries.
- New York City: Highest volume of SEO jobs with a median salary around $100K.
- Chicago: Median salary $93K, benefiting from a lower cost of living compared to NYC.
- Atlanta and Los Angeles: Both offer median salaries around $80K, but Atlanta stands out with a significantly lower cost of living.
Nick emphasizes the importance of considering the cost of living when evaluating salary offers. For instance, while Los Angeles and Atlanta offer similar salaries, Atlanta’s lower living costs make it a more attractive option (26:39).
6. Impact of Business Size on SEO Salaries
Tyson explains that the size of a business directly correlates with SEO salaries. Larger organizations tend to offer higher salaries due to their extensive resources and the complexity of their SEO needs. This trend remains consistent across different business sizes, reinforcing the importance of targeting the right type of company based on salary expectations (10:46).
7. AI’s Influence on SEO Roles and Salaries
The rise of AI and machine learning is reshaping the SEO landscape. While AI tools like ChatGPT are enhancing content creation and technical SEO functions, Tyson and Nick agree that the demand for human expertise remains strong. Technical SEO roles, which require nuanced understanding and problem-solving, continue to command higher salaries as automation struggles to replicate these skills (07:46).
8. Career Path Recommendations for SEO Professionals
When asked about the optimal career path in SEO, Tyson recommends starting in an agency setting. Agencies offer exposure to a diverse range of clients and challenges, facilitating rapid skill development. In contrast, in-house roles allow for deeper strategic involvement and long-term project management. Nick concurs, noting that agency experience provides valuable hard skills, while in-house positions help develop strategic and advocacy skills essential for leadership roles (14:11; 15:53).
9. Final Thoughts and Advice for Job Seekers
Nick offers encouragement to SEO professionals navigating a volatile job market, emphasizing that challenges in the industry do not reflect individual capabilities. He advises continuous skill enhancement and leveraging community networks for better opportunities (28:28). Tyson echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of technical proficiency and human-centric skills like networking and community engagement to remain competitive (29:27).
10. Conclusion
The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to explore the SEO Jobs report available on SEOjobs.com and Previsible IO. Both hosts encourage SEO professionals to stay connected with the community and utilize available resources to navigate their career paths effectively.
Notable Quotes:
- Nick Leroy: “Less than 15% of all the jobs that we came across had a six figure salary.” (03:32)
- Tyson Stockton: “If everyone out there is expecting a six figure salary in it, frankly, that's not the case.” (03:32)
- Nick Leroy: “The human element for technical is still as high as it ever has been.” (07:46)
- Tyson Stockton: “Start agency. Once you get a little bit under your belt, I would pivot into the in house side to establish yourself early.” (15:53)
- Nick Leroy: “Your network is worth infinitely more.” (31:05)
- Tyson Stockton: “Lean into the SEO community.” (31:38)
Resources Mentioned:
- SEOjobs.com: seojobs.com
- Previsible IO: previsible.io
- SEO Jobs Report: Available on SEOjobs.com, Previsible IO, and Search Engine Land
For more insights and detailed analyses, visit voicesofsearch.com and subscribe to their weekly newsletter. Connect with Tyson Stockton and Nick Leroy on LinkedIn for further discussions and networking opportunities.