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Job outlook for social media editors in the United States
Social media editor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected social media editor job growth rate is -5% from 2018-2028.
About -5,500 new jobs for social media editors are projected over the next decade.
Social media editor salaries have increased 11% for social media editors in the last 5 years.
There are over 40,836 social media editors currently employed in the United States.
There are 37,769 active social media editor job openings in the US.
The average social media editor salary is $53,943.
Are social media editor jobs in demand?
Social media editor job and salary trends over time
Social media editor jobs over time
Social media editor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 40,836 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 40,969 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 40,963 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 39,906 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 38,914 | 0.01% |
Average social media editor salary over time
Social media editor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $53,943 | $25.93 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $52,216 | $25.10 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $50,608 | $24.33 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $50,004 | $24.04 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $48,677 | $23.40 | +2.1% |
Social media editor jobs by state
Most common states for social media editors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 220 | 32% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 815 | 12% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 75 | 12% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 147 | 11% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 110 | 11% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 130 | 10% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 646 | 9% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 274 | 9% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 78 | 9% |
| 10 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 68 | 9% |
| 11 | Alaska | 739,795 | 63 | 9% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 50 | 9% |
| 13 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,613 | 8% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 509 | 8% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 270 | 8% |
| 16 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 137 | 8% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 89 | 8% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 86 | 8% |
| 19 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 406 | 7% |
| 20 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 298 | 7% |
Most common cities for social media editors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burbank | 1 | 1% | $54,767 |
| 2 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $47,237 |
| 3 | New York | 2 | 0% | $62,507 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $47,871 |
| 5 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $54,758 |
| 6 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $51,380 |
Social Media Editor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of social media editor experts
California State University - Sacramento
Cabrini University
Texas Woman's University
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Furman University
Huntington University
Midland College
University of North Texas
Dominican University of California
Longwood University
California State University, Fresno
Adelphi University
University of Minnesota
Davis & Elkins College
Fort Hays State University
Elizabethtown College
Carson-Newman University
University of Northern Colorado
American University
Viola Ardeni
Assistant Professor & Italian Language Area HeadCalifornia State University - Sacramento
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Editor?
Viola Ardeni: To recent graduates in any field, I would recommend making sure they are doing two things: 'Ask questions' and 'Show up.' In the Romance languages, literatures, and linguistics field, asking questions may mean asking for a long of informational interviews, even in places where there are no current jobs openings. You never know what you will learn from talking to someone who is working and has your same degree. Asking questions also means to be present, aware, and critical. Showing up may instead mean trying different things. Besides teaching, there is no clear job following degrees in Romance languages etc. (and even 'teaching' includes a variety of jobs), so taking advantage of different opportunities may come in handy.
What Social Media Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Viola Ardeni: The editing of texts produced by others, above all. Being good editors will be crucial. In addition, to the ability to summarize in short, easy bit very large and complex amounts of information, possibly coming from different linguistic sources. Diplomacy seems also increasingly useful, however you interpret it and wherever you stand politically. Because of the world's areas where Romance languages are mainly used, the political issues associated with those areas, and the lack of institutional support for studies in Romance languages, literatures, and linguistics in the United States, the ability of being diplomatic in navigating people, committees, donors, stakeholders, speakers, etc. is and will be important.
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Viola Ardeni: Negotiate your job offer, even where your position is represented by a labor union (you may negotiate other perks and benefits). I would also recommend considering extremely carefully whether a higher degree in the field (master's or PhD) would enhance your options for a higher salary. The mental, emotional, and financial cost of graduate studies may not make it worth it, if the primary objective is earning more money.
Professor Cheryl Pilchik
Marketing at Cabrini U.Cabrini University
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Editor?
Professor Cheryl Pilchik: Dress to impress for interviews. Consider the benefits offered by the company, not just the compensation. Use the position as a steppingstone in your field to a second job in the future.
What Social Media Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Cheryl Pilchik: Look at all the benefits offered by the company, such as medical, holidays, 401K, etc. Also, consider using the position as a steppingstone in your field to a second job in the near future.
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Professor Cheryl Pilchik: Within Marketing, social media is still huge. There are many types of jobs within social media, including being an expert social media guru at an ad agency. I advise all students to be prepared and sign up for online courses if needed.
What Social Media Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Aimée Myers Ph.D.: Digital literacy, multimedia creating/editing, intercultural communication, content curation/management.
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Editor?
Kara Alaimo PhD: The communication landscape is always changing. The social media platforms that are popular right now may not even exist by the time my students graduate, and of course they're always changing their algorithms and the kinds of content they prioritize, so professional communicators can never get too comfortable in their work. Therefore, one of the most important skills to acquire is how to stay on top of all these changes, keep learning how different platforms work, and come up with creative ideas to use on them.
What Social Media Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kara Alaimo PhD: A lot of my former communication students who are commanding the highest salaries are working in social media management. This is because often senior communication executives who have been working in the field for decades feel like they don't know how TikTok and emerging platforms work and think people who grew up as digital natives hold the secrets of the universe, so they empower them at earlier stages in their careers to run organizations' social channels. It's not uncommon for me to see a former student who manages social media accounts on behalf of an organization get multiple promotions and raises within their first few years of graduation.
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Kara Alaimo PhD: I strongly recommend that students consider jobs managing social media accounts on behalf of people and organizations. There's a lot of demand among employers to hire people for these positions right now, and a lot of my students are thrilled to discover that they can make a good living creating social media content - which many of them consider to be more like fun than work. This is why at Fairleigh Dickinson University we just created new academic programs in social media to give students the skills and credentials to go after these kinds of exciting jobs with significant labor market demand that often have particularly attractive starting salaries.
Dr. Leilani Carver-Madalon Ph.D.
Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Communication and Associate Professor of Strategic Communication and LeadershipMaryville University of Saint Louis
Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Editor?
Dr. Leilani Carver-Madalon Ph.D.: People hire people who they know, like, and are competent. So, how do you become known, liked, and competent? Beyond college, some unexpected ways to a successful career are 1) Internships 2) Informational Interviews, and 3) earning certifications.
Internships: Getting an internship is not a new idea but it is a very important one. Some organizations now only hire people who intern for them first. The internship now becomes a trial before hire. For example, Fleishman Hillard, ranked the fourth best PR agency in the World, offers many full-time Internships, 40 hours a week. Recent grads who want to work for Fleishman Hillard should see getting an Internship as the best avenue towards getting a job at Fleishman Hillard. Many organizations use their internship pools as potential hiring pools so do not be afraid to do a paid internship after graduation for a premier organization.
Informational Interviews: This is a wonderful way for people within an organization to get to know you and for you to learn from others with experience. Informational interviews are short interviews where you connect with someone in our field, research them, and their company and prepare questions to ask for advice. These interviews expand your network and also help you learn. These are a wonder source of networking.
Earn Certifications: Besides going to class and doing well, it is also important to be able to show what you know through certifications. For example, Hubspot has free certifications that you can take and link to your LinkedIn account. One I recommend is their Social Media Marketing Certification at https://academy.hubspot.com/courses/social-media?library=true&= This is yet another way to show your knowledge and expertise in our field. Showing through certifications is always preferable to telling someone you have the skillset.
What Social Media Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Leilani Carver-Madalon Ph.D.: Many of my students get hired to do social media for organizations because organizations need help in this area. Knowing how to create engaging and creative content, produce quality videos, manage and understand data analytics, and respond to crises are some of the most important skills. Additionally, utilizing AI to do more with less will also become more and more important.
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Leilani Carver-Madalon Ph.D.: The first thing is to do your research so that you know the market and what the salary range is for your job in your city. This article has a list of free salary calculators.
Then, you wait until an offer is made. Once an offer is made you can negotiate (but never before).
Then, you ask politely. The amount is usually around 5- 10% of the salary. I encourage you to ask for 10% because they will likely try to meet you in the middle.
For a script, you could say something like...
Thank you so much for this offer. I am very excited to work at Company X. I know my internship experiences and degree from X University will help me be able to bring value to this organization.
Regarding salary, I was looking for something closer to $_________. Is this possible?
(Then be quiet).
It is beneficial to ask. The worst thing they can say is no. Also realize that you can negotiate vacation days, working from home, a 4-day work week, and other benefits that may be important to you if they cannot offer you more money. Once when I worked for a non-profit, I maxed out their salary but I negotiated another week of paid vacation because I asked. Asking after research and with respect is always a win.
Professor Margaret Oakes
Professor of EnglishFurman University
English Language And Literature
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Editor?
Professor Margaret Oakes: Understand that you should be looking at a salary mid-career, not right now. And look at the possibility for promotion in your place of work - a small family business will not be able to or be interested in promoting you to a leadership position, so think about if you will need to move up or out.
What Social Media Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Margaret Oakes: The ability to read carefully and analytically. This is a skill that has declined in the past couple of decades as people obtain more information visually - but a visual presentation cannot carry the amount of detail that written language can, and carelessness in the use of language causes a world of problems in every area of human life (law, medicine, politics, etc.).
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Professor Margaret Oakes: Our graduates have such a variety of careers with an English major that this is hard to answer. But perhaps this is the answer - English majors have such widely applicable skills that they need to be alert to how they can be applied almost anywhere, and be prepared to sell their skills to a potential employer.
Brock Zehr
Associate Professor of Business & Economics and MBA DirectorHuntington University
Religion/Religious Studies
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Editor?
Brock Zehr: Social media content development, data analytics, and quality video content generation will all be in greater demand. Employers tell me that the "soft skills" of being a team player, excellent communication skills, integrity, and a strong work ethic are still valued skills.
What Social Media Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brock Zehr: Do your homework. Research salaries for the position, geographic location, and your experience level on sites like salary.com and zippia.com to determine the salary range for the position. Know the numbers. Let the employer provide the first salary number and decide how much to negotiate from there. Also, look at the entire compensation package and not the salary alone. Benefit packages vary and can encompass and large portion of compensation.
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Brock Zehr: Become a solution to an employer's problem. During the application and interview process, identify the needs of the employer and propose ways you can fulfill those needs. Every job, person, project, and client can lead to greater opportunities. So even if your first job is not ideal; do it well because it can be the impetus to propel your career forward. A positive, can-do attitude and quality work can take you wherever you want to go.
Stacey Hewitt
Communications CoordinatorMidland College
What skills stand out on Social Media Editor resumes?
Stacey Hewitt: The skill that stands out on Multimedia Journalist's resume is the ability to wear many hats/handle multiple responsibilities. Gone are the days where TV news reporters had photogs that took the video for them, and they just asked the questions. Journalists are doing everything all by themselves. I'm talking - you are responsible for coming up with your own story ideas/pitches, going live on Facebook before news shows, editing a story for news shows, cutting a different version for the web, and maybe even writing a print version for a newspaper partner. Showcase all your experiences, especially web and video editing experience, as everything is becoming more visual on video platforms. Even if you aren't responsible for web or editing in your current job, try to dabble in it so you can put it on your resume. Or go back to school and take a class in video and video editing.
What soft skills should all Social Media Editors possess?
Stacey Hewitt: Communication is obviously a very important soft skill. You will be communicating on various levels with your coworkers, newsmakers, interviewees, and viewers, and each is a slightly nuanced brand of communication. I would brand your communication with viewers as a very different kind of communication. It's more tease-worthy and casual as opposed to a straightforward, formal English essay. But you must know what information you are after and how to write and spell correctly when formally requesting interviews with high-profile newsmakers.
Problem-solving is another important soft skill. As you probably already know, these days, technology malfunctions all the time. You must have workarounds and think on your feet when something happens because deadlines are still deadlines.
Multimedia Journalists also must be creative. These days storytelling has become an art. Sometimes the same old way of telling a story is okay, but sometimes taking a chance and doing something different can really catch on and stand out. For example, if you start a Facebook poll on a story you did about mask-wearing, you could really help take it to new heights. You must be willing to try new things and ultimately, sometimes, fail.
Not everyone will like you or your stories, so multimedia journalists have to have thick skin. Your boss and your viewers will have opinions, and they aren't always going to be nice. Try to incorporate some stuff sometimes and sometimes stick to your guns.
Finally, be a mega-media consumer yourself. You need to know how to repurpose the stuff you do for many different platforms and different things (lengths) work on each. The best way to know what works is to have a healthy diet of media yourself. This soft skill is what intro communications classes like Midland College's COMM 1307 Introduction to mass communications do best. Classes like this can encourage students to become critical media consumers by looking at the development and current trends of print media, broadcasting, advertising, and public relations.
Brittany McElroy
Senior LecturerUniversity of North Texas
Mayborn School of Journalism
What skills stand out on Social Media Editor resumes?
Brittany McElroy: The most important thing is to be able to do everything. The days of super-specialized jobs where you could learn to do just one or two things are gone. A diverse skill set is so important. The second thing I would say students graduating and wanting to work in any kind of media need is a really good understanding of audiences. There is so much competition for people's attention that you will not be successful if you don't identify your niche, understand how to capture its attention, and keep it.
What soft skills should all Social Media Editors possess?
Brittany McElroy: As far as soft skills go, they are the same skills they've always been- good networking and communication skills. Understand that while a lot can get done in a digital space, a face-to-face connection (even if that is on zoom) can go a lot farther than an email. Some of our recent grads hate having to pick up the phone and make an actual call. They are much more comfortable with text or email, but they need to push themselves out of their comfort zone to connect with people. While I think younger generations have a lot of new skills and perspectives that can be so valuable to potential employers, those old-fashioned networking skills still go a long way.
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Communications, Coordinator, Online Learning and Development, Chair of the Communications and Media Studies DepartmentDominican University of California
Communication and Media Studies
What skills stand out on Social Media Editor resumes?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: Experience: internships, co-curricular and extra-curricular projects, and any jobs held while in college. Those jobs may not be directly related to a media coordinator job description but could have other benefits like the team environment at a restaurant.
What soft skills should all Social Media Editors possess?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: Working well with others, time management, and the ability to teach and supervise others.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Social Media Editors?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: Video (shooting and editing), audio applications that allow you to produce and edit sound, and social media literacy.
What skills will help Social Media Editors earn the most?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: The hard skills (audio and video) usually get you the job, but the soft skills allow you to keep it and grow!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Social Media Editor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Ryan Stouffer: I think the job market we've seen a lot of different trends here that kind of happened since the pandemic. On the one hand we've seen a lot more opportunity actually believe it or not, so many more organizations realize they need to. Get into social media and they get into the Internet, and they need to tell their stories online right. That's how we're connecting with customers right now is online platforms, as opposed to the traditional you know foot traffic or you know billboards on roads advertisements on radio things like that so.
On one hand there's a lot more opportunity because so many more organizations realize they need to connect and they need to get in this space and the need to tell her story. And to there's a lot more opportunity because space boundaries have kind of been removed as a barrier for a lot of employment and the communication studies field, because. Now I mean with digital technology is everyone working from home it doesn't really matter if you're working in turning whatever for someone in San Francisco or someone. In Virginia, you can still do that job here through these technologies here, so one example of that I grew up in the middle of nowhere Michigan and my mother works at the Chamber of Commerce right now. And they had some staffing issues and so actually got an intern from Virginia who's now working for my local county. Small county and Michigan so there's been kind of that increase, of course, the pandemics also had some harmful effects on the job field here there's just so much more uncertainty right now organizations i'm think are expanding as much.
Also, a lot of students, want to get into the sports world via either broadcasting camera work technical side of things, social media. So many different aspects of course the sports world is just in a huge state of upheaval, especially the smaller sports world where a lot of our students go, you know smaller baseball teams minor league soccer teams. Things like that so there's been kind of that just upheaval in the lack of ability to plan, so I think of a lot of organizations just aren't hiring right now, just because they're kind of holding steady and waiting for the US to move on here, so I can see those the double edged sword has as many things in the world, here or yes there's been definitely some.
How have salaries changed over time for Social Media Editors?
Dr. Ryan Stouffer: Salaries had changed a little bit did they've increased a little bit over time in our field, I think people are more real and now realizing the importance of having social media marketers social media managers who manage that organizations brand to help tell that organizations story on of course journalism I teach them future journalists to we've seen those tickets, a little bit.
But I think mostly salaries are you know slightly moving up here, but we haven't seen any huge jumps, and that is one of the disadvantages. Of the communication field here is there's there's a lot of opportunities out there, and a lot of different places, can people a lot of places people can go. But those salaries tend to be a little bit lower to start here until you really find your niche and your expertise and work your way up a bit so. Taking up a little bit, but I that is definitely not the selling point I think of my field is the starting salary.
Betsy Hays
ChairCalifornia State University, Fresno
Department of Media, Communications and Journalism
What Social Media Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Betsy Hays: Study the successes and failures of others so you can learn best practices based on real life. And practice being a content creator. Write, take photos, create graphics, produce videos - practice sharing information and telling stories in a myriad of ways. And when you have some good stuff, share it publicly (blog, YouTube channel, social media, podcast, etc.) to learn what people respond to. And monitor trends. There are also a number of free or low-cost certifications that you can obtain as well. And one more - volunteer for a cause you believe in to make the world a better place while learning new skills.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Media Editors?
Mark Grabowski: I'm not going to sugarcoat it: The pandemic could permanently setback the college students who graduated during it. Timing is very important in the job market. Research shows that college graduates who start their working lives during a recession really struggle for many years afterward. So, if you're graduating now, you really need to hustle to succeed.
What's a good job out of college for Social Media Editors?
Mark Grabowski: A good job would be one where you're happy, able to grow professionally and make enough money to get by. Your first job is probably not going to be your dream job. It may not pay great. And there will be boring days, bad days and perhaps all-nighters. But, because you're spending so much time working, you should try to find something you enjoy doing. You want to avoid taking on credit card debt or medical debt, so you may need to turn down opportunities that only provide "experience" or "exposure" over an actual salary and benefits. That said, it's hard to find an entry-level job that is both fun and pays a decent wage. So, you're going to have to strike a balance between doing what you love for peanuts versus making money but being miserable. Finally, you want to work at a place that will enable you to advance in your career or at least acquire skills that will help you in life. Otherwise, you're just wasting your time. And your first few years after college are prime years, so use them wisely.
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Mark Grabowski: In media, it's important to have multimedia skills, so that you can be an effective and compelling digital storyteller. You should know how to record sound, how to shoot video, how to edit sound and video, how to write using search engine optimization, how to create a webpage, etc. That said, being able to write and speak well remain the most important skills - and so few young people do that well because they've been isolated this past year and they primarily communicate through texting.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Media Editors?
Zhirong Zhao Ph.D.: I am the Director of Master of Public Policy Program (MPP). MPP is a professional graduate degree. The Covid condition has interrupted student internships and make it harder for students to navigate the job market in the traditional way, but I expect the market remains good for our students, who are mainly getting into public, nonprofit, or educational institutions.
What's a good job out of college for Social Media Editors?
Zhirong Zhao Ph.D.: Many of our students aim for a career in public or nonprofit organizations to address issues of social inequality and power imbalance. These are great jobs that align well with the skill sets of our students and their future career goals.
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Zhirong Zhao Ph.D.: People in a public or nonprofit career aims not only for the growth of personal earning potential, but also the opportunity to make positive changes to the society.
Bridget Esterhuizen
Theatre Department Head, Assistant Professor of TheatreDavis & Elkins College
Theatre Department
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Bridget Esterhuizen: Flexibility. Versatility. Creativity. Luckily, these are things we are well trained for. BUT, it's very hard to make art when you are trying to survive, which is why I'll circle back to calling on our government to think a bit like Roosevelt's administration did and put funding into governmental arts projects and initiatives.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Media Editors?
Bridget Esterhuizen: I don't think anyone knows the answer to this question. In the Theatre industry, we are doing our best to attend to "the moment," I think--which is what we try to do in our work, too. Right now, we have been given a gift that theatre artists rarely have time to reflect and prioritize. This is a time for us to look at addressing social change (such as responding to the "We See You White American Theatre" statement. This is also a time for taking action to nurture the arts in a financial way. I think MANY people in our industry would say this is a time similar to the Great Depression when programming to support the arts through government funding is essential for the survival of our arts, artists and our society. The impact on graduates will unfold in 'real time'. Graduates will face a need to be more adaptable than ever as they look for work alongside a call for making meaningful work. But, they also have an advantage right now because this is a major social event that is underway--which is a great prompt for creative work. We need art and stories more than ever right now in order to get through this together.
What's a good job out of college for Social Media Editors?
Bridget Esterhuizen: Even in a pre-COVID world, a good job is tricky to find right out of college. Graduates rely on the connections they've made during their time in college and the people in their circle of connection. Right now, there are work-from-home and online opportunities--which is exciting new territory that might strengthen family bonds and will create new avenues of work--that's something to take advantage of.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Social Media Editors?
Hsin-Yen Yang Ph.D.: Because of the trends we see in the job market, it would be wise for the students to take crisis communication and social media management courses before they graduate.
Earn certificates or at least take online courses (some of them are free) from Google analytics and social media management sites such as the Hootsuite academy.
How have salaries changed over time for Social Media Editors?
Hsin-Yen Yang Ph.D.: I do want to encourage students or newcomers in the field of public relations or strategic communication to build up their resumes in order to stand out in the job market.)
Even if you are graduating this year, check into the internships and scholarships that would accept May 2021 graduates and use these opportunities to strengthen your professional experience on your resume. Sometimes, you may be able to find a long-term job through the internship!
Never stop learning. Join a professional organization to keep up to date with industry developments and the field of study. Actively network with your peers and find mentors to support your personal and professional growth.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Social Media Editor job market given the pandemic?
Hsin-Yen Yang Ph.D.: The PR industry will look for talents who can identify credible information sources, truthfully report it to the stakeholders, and respond quickly to a crisis such as the current pandemic we are in.
The ability of using digital media to communicate and host online events effectively will become more and more important even in the post-pandemic era. For example, many events and conferences were moved to online platforms due to the pandemic in the past year and this trend is not going away anytime soon. Even when it's safe to hold face-to-face events, the demand for a safer and more affordable online option will remain significant.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Social Media Editor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Tara Moore: Due to the pandemic, companies now have greater comfort with remote collaboration. This opens up opportunities for professionals in charge of content creation. Employers are considering remote work from the start in some cases, and this widens the field for writers looking for a job. Some writers might start out with freelancing-another largely remote option-to gain experience and to enjoy that freedom early in their career.
What's a good job out of college for Social Media Editors?
Dr. Tara Moore: Recent graduates often start in content creation and social media marketing, which make for an excellent first job out of college.
Students have a chance to use the creativity they value and apply it to their client's brand language. One alumna told me that she now spends as much time finding the right ten words as she used to spend writing a whole college essay!
Writers' prospects can take many different directions after that first job. Within five to ten years, our graduates move from content creation into a wide variety of management and director positions based on their interests.
What technical skills for a Social Media Editor stand out to employers?
Dr. Tara Moore: A large percentage of job ads list SEO experience as a desirable trait in a candidate. Writers must understand the power of keywords. Students preparing for the workforce can sharpen their skills in a content management system like WordPress and learn to use social media scheduling apps. When I teach writing, I have been able to use the web pieces written by recent graduates to cover the expectations students will face on the job.
First jobs also often include work with maintaining style guides, so becoming familiar with that process and AP Style helps too. For a writer, audience is key. These technical skills are simply the means by which we prepare vibrant writing to reach our target audience. Ads also continue to list expectations for soft skills like being able to collaborate, communicate clearly, take initiative, and meet deadlines. Students who have participated in client-based projects or internships can demonstrate their experience in these areas.
Dr. Tamara Centis
Assistant Professor of Foreign LanguagesCarson-Newman University
World Languages Department
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Tamara Centis: The above questions kind of answer this, but what I can add is take time to reflect on yourself, on what motivates you, challenges you, and what do you do to overcome difficulties. Be able to take these experiences at your advantage and learn about yourself. Think about what you can do to grow personally and professionally. Keep track of your accomplishments, milestones, and volunteer experiences. Explore new opportunities and learn, learn, learn! It is never too late.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Media Editors?
Dr. Tamara Centis: Yes. This pandemic changed the world, how we do things, how we think, what our priorities are...The world will continue, and people will move on, but that does not mean things are going to go back to how they were. However, I like to see the bright side and I believe that enduring impacts on graduates (and everyone else!) are not all negative. Students who work towards their degree during the pandemic can demonstrate a great level of commitment, resilience, and stamina. Those are necessary skills now more than ever.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Social Media Editors?
Dr. Tamara Centis: Travel abroad and embrace diversity! Students tend to focus on technical skills, having certifications, licenses, which are all great, but let us not forget about the soft skills! When learning about people and culture we develop a broad set of skills like communication, adaptability, motivation, teamwork, and creative thinking, just to mention a few. Mastering these skills with any certification, license or course can have a great impact on your job prospects. Get out of the comfort zone, be humble, and be willing to learn. The sky is the limit.
Thomas Endres
ProfessorUniversity of Northern Colorado
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
What will help Social Media Editors increase their earning potential?
Thomas Endres: Two words: Experience and Education. Go out of your way to learn or do something that makes you stand out from the pack. Volunteer. Land an internship. Do informational interviews with and/or shadow those who have position titles to which you aspire. Start on a graduate degree. If that's too much, earn a certificate. At least take a class. Enroll in community seminars and workshops on professional presence (especially in the virtual environment) and leadership skills. Take advantage of networking opportunities and meet people. Because many organizations are moving conferences and events online, and therefore have less overhead, they are offering sessions and "cocktail hours" for free. Attend! Finally, brace yourself. These are suggestions for a lifetime, not just a trial period.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Social Media Editor job market given the pandemic?
Thomas Endres: The virtual and mobile workplace is not going away. All those employers who said their job HAD to be done FROM an office DURING workday hours are now realizing none of that is true. Many jobs that moved online from home offices during both synchronous and asynchronous time slots are going to stay that way. What employers are also realizing is that many employees cannot successfully make the transition to the new market. Fatigue and burnout is real, but the Zoom meetings and blurring of workdays is going to continue. The successful employee used to be the one who could keep their shoulder to the wheel and nose to the grindstone from 9-5. Now it is the one who can master the disconnections of virtual reality without being overwhelmed.
What technical skills for a Social Media Editor stand out to employers?
Thomas Endres: Sounds simple, but the ability to present oneself in a virtual environment. I just finished a three-hour Zoom meeting. One of the individuals called in because they couldn't make the link work on their computer, so we spent three hours listening to their voice while looking at a phone icon. Another had the camera set far away and angled back so that they were cut off at the neck. Just a small head resting on the bottom of the screen and lots of white wall and ceiling above. A third person was obviously slouched down on a couch in a darkened room, so they were flattened out and fuzzy. If I was an employer, would I want to hire any of these people and have them represent my organization? Probably not. The "skilled" communicator comes across strong on screen while simultaneously not drawing attention to it. They log-in early and take care of camera and microphone issues before the session begins. They are centered on the screen, the background is appropriate and non-distracting, they have front-lighting, and their head and shoulders fill just enough of the screen so that we can see them without staring up their nostrils. Again, it sounds simple, but it is amazing (and distracting and disheartening) how many have not figured out, or don't care about, the impression they make on camera. If you make it look effortless and natural, employers will notice.
How have salaries changed over time for Social Media Editors?
Erica Bondarev Rapach: One of the biggest changes I have seen with regards to salaries in arts management and the business of entertainment is the call for employers to post vacancies with clear and transparent information about compensation. It has been a standard practice to not have job postings include the salary range. Providing this is critically important to ensure that candidates are paid fairly based on the skills and experience required and the salary that the position commands. Additionally, there has been a movement in the field to eliminate unpaid internships as they create issues of inequity, privileging those that can afford to work a job for free.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Social Media Editor job market given the pandemic?
Erica Bondarev Rapach: As we learn to live alongside COVID-19, I hope the biggest trend we will see in the job market will be a more holistic and human approach to both employers and employees. If we have learned anything from the pandemic, it is that our community is only as strong and as healthy as the individuals who make it up. This means that the job market will need to offer greater flexibility and tolerance around work/life integration. Over the past year, both employers and employees have grown more accustomed to working remotely, adjusting their schedules to accommodate the demands of life, and taking into consideration individuals' strengths, while respecting the challenges they are facing, both in and outside of the job. I think the job market has a lot to gain from acknowledging that we are all humans who are seeking productive, equitable, and thriving relationships in our professions and in our lives.
Another trend I expect to see is an expectation from both employees and employers around competency in being anti-racist. I expect candidates for positions to be inquiring about the presence and authenticity of organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and I believe employers will be assessing candidates based on the training and experience in those practices.
What technical skills for a Social Media Editor stand out to employers?
Erica Bondarev Rapach: Digital, digital, digital. Arts and entertainment organizations have become digital media organizations during the pandemic and so technical skills in social media marketing, website development and maintenance, search engine optimization, video, audio, post-production, and live streaming are standouts. And I am not even certain that's an exhaustive list!