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Job outlook for social media marketing assistants in the United States
Social media marketing assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected social media marketing assistant job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 150,300 new jobs for social media marketing assistants are projected over the next decade.
Social media marketing assistant salaries have increased 5% for social media marketing assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 284,980 social media marketing assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 103,981 active social media marketing assistant job openings in the US.
The average social media marketing assistant salary is $52,662.
Are social media marketing assistant jobs in demand?
Social media marketing assistant job and salary trends over time
Social media marketing assistant jobs over time
Social media marketing assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 284,980 | 0.08% |
| 2020 | 272,584 | 0.08% |
| 2019 | 268,669 | 0.08% |
| 2018 | 254,097 | 0.08% |
| 2017 | 239,104 | 0.07% |
Average social media marketing assistant salary over time
Social media marketing assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,662 | $25.32 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $51,046 | $24.54 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $50,510 | $24.28 | --0.2% |
| 2022 | $50,598 | $24.33 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | $50,061 | $24.07 | +0.7% |
Social media marketing assistant jobs by state
Most common states for social media marketing assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 240 | 35% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 194 | 31% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 398 | 30% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 291 | 30% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 173 | 30% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 210 | 28% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 852 | 27% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 364 | 27% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 220 | 25% |
| 10 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,717 | 23% |
| 11 | Alaska | 739,795 | 169 | 23% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,157 | 21% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 408 | 21% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 218 | 21% |
| 15 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,356 | 20% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,209 | 20% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 707 | 20% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 339 | 20% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 213 | 20% |
| 20 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,069 | 19% |
Most common cities for social media marketing assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watertown Town | 1 | 3% | $59,529 |
| 2 | Coral Gables | 1 | 2% | $46,981 |
| 3 | La Crosse | 1 | 2% | $41,236 |
| 4 | Urbana | 1 | 2% | $48,650 |
| 5 | Victoria | 1 | 1% | $55,497 |
| 6 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $44,281 |
Social Media Marketing Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of social media marketing assistant experts
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Montana State University - Billings
Arizona State University
University of Connecticut
Northeastern University
The University of Texas at San Antonio
San Jose State University
Webster University
Lasell University
University of North Texas
University of North Georgia
University of Redlands
University of Houston - Downtown
Duquesne University
Dominican University of California
University of Central Oklahoma
Southeast Missouri State University
Baylor University
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Marketing Assistant?
Zachary Moore Ph.D., M.B.A.: Marketing is a very diverse field, and salaries can vary considerably depending on the types of jobs young marketers pursue. But generally, taking a bet on oneself by pursuing jobs with a commission-based compensation plan can lead to higher earnings in the long term. In marketing, these positions tend to be in sales. Being willing to take risks and betting on yourself to succeed are important determinants of your career earnings potential.
What will help Social Media Marketing Assistants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Sarah Keller: Digital strategies of persuasion; finding out what works to build engagement and action online; research evaluating social media strategies.
What Social Media Marketing Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ms. Katie Malles: The author is Katie Malles, marketing career consultant at the W. P. Carey Career Services Center.
What will help Social Media Marketing Assistants increase their earning potential?
Ms. Katie Malles: The author is Katie Malles, marketing career consultant at the W. P. Carey Career Services Center.
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Marketing Assistant?
Scott Wallace: Young people entering the field like the excitement, the variety and the fast pace that comes with this work. You get to meet all sorts of people, hear their stories and use your skills to turn them into stories for the broader community. It’s a lot of fun! The biggest drawback for some is that the job usually requires working long hours and an unpredictable schedule.
What Social Media Marketing Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Scott Wallace: The media market is in a state of flux right now, with many new companies stepping in to the fill the void left by the disappearance of local newspapers. Technology has evolved to the point where a resourceful Digital Media Specialist can perform tasks that once required at least 3-4 people, from writing articles to shooting, editing and posting videos and photos on news sites or social media. It’s an exciting time to be entering the field!
What will help Social Media Marketing Assistants increase their earning potential?
Scott Wallace: One of the beauties of this career is that every day is different. A Digital Media Specialist might be sent out to cover an outdoor concert one day or flooding in a local community the next. A Digital Media Specialist needs to develop a range of skills that include recognizing a good story and being able to tell it with crisp, clear writing and strong visuals. It’s a wonderful way to connect with people from all walks of life. A successful professional will keep up on the news and be keeping a watchful eye on event calendars to seek out opportunities for great storytelling!
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Marketing Assistant?
Rob Durant: To truly maximize the value you derive from your career, start by clearly defining what 'value' means to you - whether it's salary, job satisfaction, work-life balance, or professional growth. Understand your priorities and align your career trajectory to meet these goals. Specific steps you can take include developing a consistent habit of enhancing your skills, actively seeking opportunities that resonate with your personal definition of success, and building a strategic network within your industry and beyond.
What will help Social Media Marketing Assistants increase their earning potential?
Rob Durant: Congratulations! As you start your career, remember that the 4, 5, 5+ years you spent earning your degree did NOT equip you with all the answers. But hopefully it instilled in you the ability to ask insightful questions. Stay curious, embrace challenges, learn, and grow. Your journey is just beginning, and every experience is a step towards mastering your craft.
Dr. Nicholas Councilor D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Practice—ClarinetThe University of Texas at San Antonio
Fine And Studio Arts
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Marketing Assistant?
Dr. Nicholas Councilor D.M.A.: -Continuously learn and adapt: Keep working to refine your craft. Stay updated with industry trends, technologies, and best practices.
-Build a strong network: Connect with professionals in your field, attend industry events, and engage in networking opportunities.
-Develop soft skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability are crucial for success.
-Seek mentorship: Learn from experienced professionals who can provide guidance and support.
What Social Media Marketing Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Nicholas Councilor D.M.A.: -Digital skills: Proficiency in various digital tools, platforms, and technologies will become increasingly important. This includes being well-versed in audio and video editing.
-Social Media: Learn how to promote yourself on various social media platforms and a professional website by creating content that best serves your career goals and reaches new audiences.
-Emotional intelligence: As workplaces evolve, the ability to understand and manage emotions will be valuable.
What will help Social Media Marketing Assistants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Nicholas Councilor D.M.A.: -Research industry standards: Understand the average salaries for your role and location to negotiate effectively.
-Highlight skills and achievements: Showcase relevant skills, experiences, and achievements during interviews and performance reviews.
-Pursue additional certifications: Obtaining certifications related to your field can increase your market value.
-Consider job offers carefully: Evaluate factors like salary, benefits, growth opportunities, and company culture before accepting a job offer.
-Avoid doing unpaid work: While taking unpaid opportunities is very common in fine arts fields, doing so often undervalues the skills and craft that you worked so hard to develop. Your work always deserves compensation.
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Marketing Assistant?
Dr. Mithila Guha: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in marketing, focus on demonstrating your value to employers. This means showcasing your skills, achievements, and contributions in interviews and negotiations. Research the industry benchmarks for salaries in your desired role and location to ensure you're positioning yourself competitively. Consider pursuing additional certifications or advanced degrees that align with your career goals, as these can often command higher salaries. Lastly, don't hesitate to negotiate your salary offer – employers expect it, and it's an opportunity to advocate for your worth within the organization!
What will help Social Media Marketing Assistants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Mischia Taylor: I recommend they keep their options open. We teach our students negotiation skills in a Conflict and Negotiations course. The tactics they learn in that course prove to be essential for more than just maximizing salary. We also encourage students to consider graduate school to maximize their earning potential!
Julia Griffey
Associate Professor of Interactive Digital Media and Media ProductionWebster University
Radio, Television, And Digital Communication
What will help Social Media Marketing Assistants increase their earning potential?
Julia Griffey: I think the best way to make the most money is to not have someone else define what that salary should be. There are so many new ways to launch online ventures that anyone can take advantage of. And if you graduate with digital media production skills - you are in a great position to create the content needed for this type of endeavor. But if you decide you want to work for a company or organization and maximize your starting salary - it helps to understand the salary landscape. Any data that you have to support your salary requests will help you get the salary you want. You can also consider living and working in an area where salaries are higher. If this could translate into a remote work situation - you could land a higher paying salary and then move somewhere with a lower cost of living.
Meryl Perlson MFA
Professor & Chair, CommunicationLasell University
Communication And Media Studies
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Marketing Assistant?
Meryl Perlson MFA: As technology, including generative AI, makes it easier to produce content, it will become harder for organizations to break through the glut of messages. I anticipate increasing demand for digital storytelling skills - graduates who can harness, words, images and especially video to produce multimedia content for different platforms. Social media expertise - understanding how to track trends, engage audiences and measure the impact of messages to inform strategy - will also be increasingly valuable. Perennial list toppers like interpersonal communication (both virtual and in-person), problem solving and teamwork skills will continue to be important.
Brittany McElroy
Senior LecturerUniversity of North Texas
Mayborn School of Journalism
What soft skills should all Social Media Marketing Assistants 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.
What skills stand out on Social Media Marketing Assistant resumes?
Mary Norman: As a Marketing Assistant often provides important support to the broader marketing department staff, the following skills and competencies are desired and often prioritized in the hiring process:
-Strong communication skills - written and verbal
-Strong time management and organization skills to meet deadlines
-Attention to detail
-Multi-tasking
-Problem solving and strong motivation to drive positive results
-Being comfortable in an ever-changing environment/adaptable and flexible
-Understanding of key marketing concepts
-Customer-centric attitude (internal and external)
-Social Media content development and analysis
-Listening
What soft skills should all Social Media Marketing Assistants possess?
Mary Norman: -Communication - written and verbal
-Teamwork
-Problem solving
-Adaptability
-Creativity
-Positive attitude
-Motivation / Assertiveness
-Honesty
What hard/technical skills are most important for Social Media Marketing Assistants?
Mary Norman: -Project management skills
-Knowledge of key marketing tools and analytics:
-Social media tools like Hootsuite, Google analytics, etc.
-Design tools like Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator
-Email and Survey tools like Mailchimp and Survey Monkey
-SEO Tools like Google Ads
-Digital/Social Media Marketing Skills in the following areas:
-Email marketing
-Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEM/SEO)
-Email marketing
-Content marketing - ability to create content for social media and additional formats like blogs, etc.
-Social Media marketing through top platforms: i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.
-Data Analysis - mining insights into customer behavior based on website and social media analytics
-Trendwatching / Consumer insights
What skills will help Social Media Marketing Assistants earn the most?
Mary Norman: While knowledge of the "hard skills" is very important in getting hired and excelling in a marketing career, soft skills (people skills) often support career progression the most. The following skills are important for career success today:
-Decision making
-Communication
-Adaptablility / Time management
-Teamwork
-Project management / Attention to Detail
-Problem Solving
-Analytical Thinking
-Creativity
-Confidence
-Customer knowledge
Xin Zhao Ph.D.
ProfessorUniversity of Redlands
School of Business
What skills stand out on Social Media Marketing Assistant resumes?
Xin Zhao Ph.D.: The most common responsibilities of a marketing coordinator include the following: conducting research of the industry, competitors, and customers in preparation of marketing campaigns, working with other departments to produce marketing collaterals, tracking campaign and sales data as well as helping with sales forecast. As a result, strong research, analytical, and communication skills would stand out on the resume.
What soft skills should all Social Media Marketing Assistants possess?
Xin Zhao Ph.D.: As mentioned above, a marketing coordinator needs to organize efforts among different departments to successfully design and launch campaigns. Therefore, collaborative, organizational (especially time management) and communication skills are most important for this position to keep things on track.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Social Media Marketing Assistants?
Xin Zhao Ph.D.: Skills in gathering information and generating reports to facilitate decision-making are most important. In addition, employers are looking for experienced people in project management to make sure the marketing plan is executed effectively. Familiarity with data analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, could also help track a campaign's performance. Secondary skills in CRM tools, such as HubSpot, and Content Management Systems, such as WordPress, would be welcome, too, especially for small businesses where marketing coordinators need to wear multiple hats.
What skills will help Social Media Marketing Assistants earn the most?
Xin Zhao Ph.D.: Ever since marketing became a profession, creativity has been considered one of the most important skills for marketing professionals. Being creative used to have a narrow definition and only apply to design work to make your brand unique and stand out in the market. With AI and automation becoming more prevalent in the marketing field, creativity has a broader meaning. Specifically, AI and automation help businesses streamline data collection and analysis, identify patterns, and highlight insights, which could eliminate some traditional marketing coordinator jobs. However, marketers who can think outside the box would apply their business instinct to make meaningful connections between data and action. They can understand analytics and make a decision that transcends machine intelligence. Therefore, in the long run, creative skills would help you stay in demand for your work and earn the most.
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Houston - Downtown
Marilyn Davies College of Business
What general advice would you give to a Social Media Marketing Assistant?
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.: For a graduate just beginning their journey in the marketing field, my main advice would be to remain endlessly curious and always keep learning. The marketing landscape is evolving rapidly, constantly emerging new technologies, platforms, and consumer behaviors. Embrace change with an open mindset and be a perpetual student. At the same time, develop a specialty area that becomes your value proposition - a specific industry vertical, channel expertise like social media or email marketing, or proficiency with analytics, artificial intelligence, and insights mining. Plus, there is a focus on hyper-personalization, which both data and artificial intelligence will perpetuate. That focus will make you more hireable.
What will help Social Media Marketing Assistants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Richard Conde Ph.D.: My recommendation is three-fold to maximize your salary potential early on. First, gain experience through internships and entry-level roles at top marketing companies and agencies - the brand equity on your resume pays dividends. Secondly, attain relevant certifications demonstrating your specialized skills, whether becoming a certified digital marketer, Google Analytics pro, or social media marketing maverick. Thirdly, understand your company's culture and political climate. Knowing how to navigate a company to gain visibility is crucial to identifying and preparing for opportunities. Those combinations of prestigious experience, validated expertise, and the ability to 'sell' your value proposition inside and outside the organization allow you to command higher compensation and, more importantly, build a robust professional network.
What skills stand out on Social Media Marketing Assistant resumes?
Dr. Mike Dillon: Evidence (courses, internships, other experience) that demonstrates competence in communicating with a wide array of audiences across multiple platforms. Our journalism program, for instance, is multiplatform: students learn to write, edit, shoot video, create podcasts, adapt stories to fit the requirements of multiple platforms, etc. Basically, we want to send students out of here like Swiss Army Knives -- able to work in their area of proficiency, be that writing or videography, but also adept with a wide variety of other competencies.
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 Marketing Assistant 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 Marketing Assistants 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 Marketing Assistants?
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 Marketing Assistants 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!
Stacia Wert-Gray Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing, ChairpersonUniversity of Central Oklahoma
Department of Marketing
What skills stand out on Social Media Marketing Assistant resumes?
Stacia Wert-Gray Ph.D.: Employers are looking for people who are analytical. Much of marketing involved understanding target audiences and marketing. If an applicant can analyze and interpret data, they add value to the employer.
What soft skills should all Social Media Marketing Assistants possess?
Stacia Wert-Gray Ph.D.: Communication is important in any job but especially in marketing. These professionals must be able to communicate with customers/clients about product/service benefits and must be able to listen and represent the needs of customers/clients to their own company.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Social Media Marketing Assistants?
Stacia Wert-Gray Ph.D.: Data analysis is important. Understanding metrics adds value to your employer as you are able to design attractive marketing campaigns
What skills will help Social Media Marketing Assistants earn the most?
Stacia Wert-Gray Ph.D.: Currently, employers are looking for candidates who understand social media and search engine optimization. These forms of marketing communication are red hot in today's world because they are relatively inexpensive when compared to traditional media, and they are easier to measure outcomes. Companies are emphasizing return on marketing investment, and traditional media expenditures are not easy to quantify benefits.
Scott Thorne Ph.D.
InstructorSoutheast Missouri State University
Department of Marketing
What soft skills should all Social Media Marketing Assistants possess?
Scott Thorne Ph.D.: Team building, leadership, co-operation, salesmanship. I always tell my students to show any leadership positions they had while in school on their resumes as businesses value people who can both take the initiative and work well with others.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Social Media Marketing Assistants?
Scott Thorne Ph.D.: In today's market, skills in statistical analysis and market research, as well as working with social media platforms, are desirable. Skill with Office, Publisher, and Python are also highly desirable.
Stephanie Mangus Ph.D.
Sales Faculty and Coach, Center for Professional Selling, Assistant Professor of MarketingBaylor University
Hankamer School of Business
What skills stand out on Social Media Marketing Assistant resumes?
Stephanie Mangus Ph.D.: Recruiters are looking for evidence that applicants are hardworking and have a history of achieving and exceeding goals.
What soft skills should all Social Media Marketing Assistants possess?
Stephanie Mangus Ph.D.: Strong written and verbal communication skills aid employees in serving both constituents inside and outside the organization. Assessing when action is needed, planning a response, and having a positive attitude go a long way in developing a professional reputation.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Social Media Marketing Assistants?
Stephanie Mangus Ph.D.: In any business role, employees that can analyze data and craft strategy are really important. In a coordinator role, those skills may not be as necessary but will certainly make them stand out and gain attention for additional roles and responsibilities.
What skills will help Social Media Marketing Assistants earn the most?
Stephanie Mangus Ph.D.: Analytical skills, business acumen, and knowing when to step up.
Dr. Lacey Fulton
Department ChairClarion University of Pennsylvania
Department of Communication
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Social Media Marketing Assistants?
Dr. Lacey Fulton: A bachelor degree can help to get you in the door. Learning does not stop once you graduate. Finding ways to keep up with the latest trends and technology is imperative for Public Relations professionals. With the number of micro-credentials available at a low cost or for free, professionals at any stage in their career can remain current in their chosen specialty areas. Social media. Live events. Logistics. With the impact of COVID on in-person events, so many conferences and traditionally in-person events are being planned in innovative ways. Public Relations professionals have the perfect skill set to plan these new events and manage the messaging around them.
What will help Social Media Marketing Assistants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Lacey Fulton: Being flexible is key. Enjoying the weird things that are a little out of the ordinary in your field. I've always been the single person who is obsessed with spreadsheets anywhere I have been employed. Be the person who isn't afraid to work within their boundaries but also be able to say no when it's needed or delegate the task if you're in the position to do so. Keeping current, exploring new options for work-flows and remaining on task with limited supervision. Thinking outside the box, innovating and being kind- be the person people want to work with and you'll see your opportunities expand!