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Hourly Wage for Search Engine Optimization Specialist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I make hourly?

As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I in the United States is $39, which translates to an annual salary of about $80,444.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $49 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35 to $44 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $35 10% $32 90% $49 75% $44 $39 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Search Engine Optimization Specialist I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $92,010 $7,668 $1,769 $44
Average $80,444 $6,704 $1,547 $39
25th Percentile $73,520 $6,127 $1,414 $35
Check out Search Engine Optimization Specialist I Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Search Engine Optimization Specialist I Salaries

A Search Engine Optimization Specialist I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Search Engine Optimization Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Search Engine Optimization Specialist I (2-4 years): $80,444
  • Search Engine Optimization Specialist II (4-7 years): $97,256
  • Search Engine Optimization Specialist III (7+ years): $127,207
  • Search Engine Optimization Manager (7+ years): $119,365
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Search Engine Optimization Specialist I2-4 years$80,444
Search Engine Optimization Specialist II4-7 years$97,256
Search Engine Optimization Specialist III7+ years$127,207
Search Engine Optimization Manager7+ years$119,365
$80,444 Search En...
$97,256 Search En...
$127,207 Search En...
$119,365 Search En...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Search Engine Optimization Specialist Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $101,464
  • San Francisco: $100,353
  • Oakland: $98,238

What Skills Can Increase a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • WordPress (Mentioned in 3.72% Job Postings): WordPress is a free and open-source content management system written in PHP and paired with a MySQL or MariaDB database with supported HTTPS.
  • B2B (Mentioned in 1.85% Job Postings): B2B (business-to-business), a type of electronic commerce (e-commerce), is the exchange of products, services or information between businesses, rather than between businesses and consumers (B2C).
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7%
WordPress 3.72%
B2B 1.85%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I's salary.
  • B2B: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Making An Impact: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Web Development: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
B2B
 $84,466
5%
Making An Impact
 $84,466
5%
Web Development
 $82,857
3%
Content Creation
 $82,053
2%
Content Marketing
 $82,053
2%
Collaboration
 $82,053
2%
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Search Engine Optimization Specialist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 01, 2026
$73,520
Average $80,444/year
$92,010
$6,127
Average $6,704/month
$7,668
$1,414
Average $1,547/week
$1,769
$35
Average $39/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $92,010 $7,668 $1,769 $44
Average $80,444 $6,704 $1,547 $39
25th Percentile $73,520 $6,127 $1,414 $35

Salaries of jobs related to Search Engine Optimization Specialist I

Salary Trends for Search Engine Optimization Specialist I

Salaries for a Search Engine Optimization Specialist I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,285 in 2023 to around $80,212 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Search Engine Optimization Specialist I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Search Engine Optimization Specialist I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$81,285
2024
$81,190
2025
$80,212
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $81,285
2024 $81,190
2025 $80,212
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Search Engine Optimization Specialist I

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401(k)
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Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Search Engine Optimization Specialist I

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FAQ about Search Engine Optimization Specialist I

1. What are the responsibilities of Search Engine Optimization Specialist I?

Monitors site-wide daily performance metrics and uses SEO tools and techniques to optimize site traffic, improve user experience, and increase conversions. Conducts keyword research, search behavior analyses, technical audits, and content gap analyses. Utilizes website analytics and a variety of SEO tools to create reports, audits and dashboards to identify areas for optimization. Conducts competitive research and deploys the latest developments in SEO. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Search Engine Optimization Specialist I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.)

WordPress: WordPress is a free and open-source content management system written in PHP and paired with a MySQL or MariaDB database with supported HTTPS.

3.)

B2B: B2B (business-to-business), a type of electronic commerce (e-commerce), is the exchange of products, services or information between businesses, rather than between businesses and consumers (B2C).

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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