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The differences between search marketing specialists and social media specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a search marketing specialist, becoming a social media specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a search marketing specialist has an average salary of $66,688, which is higher than the $51,584 average annual salary of a social media specialist.
The top three skills for a search marketing specialist include digital marketing, paid search and b testing. The most important skills for a social media specialist are social media marketing, instagram, and digital marketing.
| Search Marketing Specialist | Social Media Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $66,688 | $51,584 |
| Hourly rate | $32.06 | $24.80 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 81,642 | 47,228 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 37 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A search marketing specialist is responsible for utilizing web search engines for marketing operations. Their responsibilities include developing web platform strategies to attract visitors and potential clients, plan search marketing campaigns, gather and analyze data, and monitor the progress of campaigns, performing corrective measures as needed. There are also instances where they must produce written advertisement materials and come up with particular keywords. Furthermore, as a search marketing specialist, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating every step of the way.
A social media specialist is an individual who is responsible for creating and administering content on all social media platforms to build an audience and ensure customer engagement. By using platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, social media specialists must create content that resonates with the interests of the intended audience. They are required to understand social media metrics so that they can use the information to ensure success in their social media strategy. Social media specialists must also work with industry professionals and influencers via social media to create a strong network.
Search marketing specialists and social media specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Search Marketing Specialist | Social Media Specialist | |
| Average salary | $66,688 | $51,584 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $85,000 | Between $38,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | PayPal | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a search marketing specialist and a social media specialist in terms of educational background:
| Search Marketing Specialist | Social Media Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between search marketing specialists' and social media specialists' demographics:
| Search Marketing Specialist | Social Media Specialist | |
| Average age | 37 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% | Male, 38.6% Female, 61.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 12% |