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The differences between social media content managers and freelancers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a social media content manager, becoming a freelancer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a freelancer has an average salary of $59,367, which is higher than the $54,354 average annual salary of a social media content manager.
The top three skills for a social media content manager include social media marketing, digital marketing and instagram. The most important skills for a freelancer are customer service, web content, and video production.
| Social Media Content Manager | Freelancer | |
| Yearly salary | $54,354 | $59,367 |
| Hourly rate | $26.13 | $28.54 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 69,077 | 2,088 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 39 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 12 |
A social media content manager oversees a company or individual's social media platforms, aiming to enhance its online presence and raise brand awareness. They typically manage a group of content specialists and graphic designers, and together they conceptualize plans and campaigns that align with the brand's purpose and vision. It is also their responsibility to establish guidelines and timelines, monitor every online campaign, research opportunities and trends, and resolve issues promptly and efficiently. Moreover, as a manager, they must lead and encourage teams to reach goals, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
A freelancer is a self-employed individual that provides services for multiple clients at one time and usually earns money on a per-job basis. Often known as independent contractors, freelancers usually set their schedules while running their own business and have a flexible lifestyle. They have the liberty to choose their clients that may be less confined to specific markets or sectors. Freelancers usually find work within the creative industries such as graphic design, copywriting, or photography.
Social media content managers and freelancers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Social Media Content Manager | Freelancer | |
| Average salary | $54,354 | $59,367 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $92,000 | Between $40,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a social media content manager and a freelancer in terms of educational background:
| Social Media Content Manager | Freelancer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Communication | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between social media content managers' and freelancers' demographics:
| Social Media Content Manager | Freelancer | |
| Average age | 39 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.1% Female, 60.9% | Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 13% |