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What is a social media assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Marissa Doshi Ph.D.,
Michelle R. Eubanks

A social media assistant's position didn't exist twenty years ago when the internet was still in its early stages. But since businesses have found a way to reach their customers online, social media assistants have become invaluable. Their job is to oversee a company or individual's social media account.

Many large organizations hire social media assistants to maintain their online presence while they focus on other tasks. A social media assistant may create and share posts, like comments, and even reply to DMs on behalf of their employer.

They also work on big picture tasks like developing a social media campaign, doing competitor research, and creating an online voice.

Social media assistants come from a variety of backgrounds. However, employers prefer individuals with a bachelor's degree in mass communication or marketing. Completing courses in digital marketing can be an advantage.

What general advice would you give to a social media assistant?

Dr. Marissa Doshi Ph.D.Dr. Marissa Doshi Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Hope College

Develop a diverse network of mentors. People who share your values but have had different life and work experiences can provide valuable perspectives for navigating career opportunities and transitions. And remember that learning doesn't end with college! Keep looking for opportunities to cultivate new skills and hone existing ones.
ScoreSocial Media AssistantUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $44,134

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.9

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.13%

Asian 11.36%

Black or African American 5.16%

Hispanic or Latino 12.31%

Unknown 5.00%

White 66.04%

Gender

female 71.36%

male 28.64%

Age - 34
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 34
Stress level
4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Social media assistant career paths

Key steps to become a social media assistant

  1. Explore social media assistant education requirements

    Most common social media assistant degrees

    Bachelor's

    78.0 %

    Associate

    8.6 %

    Master's

    7.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific social media assistant skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Facebook17.52%
    Instagram15.74%
    Twitter14.38%
    Photography4.44%
    Graphic Design3.10%
  3. Complete relevant social media assistant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New social media assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a social media assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real social media assistant resumes.
  4. Research social media assistant duties and responsibilities

    • Manage YouTube channel by moderating comments, videos, and messages.
    • Create and manage the company's Instagram account for their cell phone charging bracelet.
    • Manage Facebook account including fielding inquiries and generating overall positive engagement.
    • Create social media content for PFW using Snapchat and Facebook.
  5. Prepare your social media assistant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your social media assistant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a social media assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable social media assistant resume templates

    Build a professional social media assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your social media assistant resume.
    Social Media Assistant Resume
    Social Media Assistant Resume
    Social Media Assistant Resume
    Social Media Assistant Resume
    Social Media Assistant Resume
    Social Media Assistant Resume
    Social Media Assistant Resume
    Social Media Assistant Resume
    Social Media Assistant Resume
  6. Apply for social media assistant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a social media assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first social media assistant job

Zippi

Are you a social media assistant?

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Average social media assistant salary

The average social media assistant salary in the United States is $44,134 per year or $21 per hour. Social media assistant salaries range between $31,000 and $61,000 per year.

Average social media assistant salary
$44,134 Yearly
$21.22 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do social media assistants rate their job?

-/5

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Social media assistant reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

The opportunity to listen to a variety of opinions added to the intrigues.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Content management.

Cons

I love my work. I don't love who I work for. They do not understand the steps involved in social media. And keep asking for analytics. I send them in a thoughtfully presented report. And they just don't get it. Sales thinks I jack around all day on social media. That is my job. Then there's the fact that I have to be paid to monitor the work and campaigns I shoot down the feeds. Ugh. Run for your life unless you work for a corporation.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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