Social media strategist vs search engine optimizer

The differences between social media strategists and search engine optimizers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a social media strategist and a search engine optimizer. Additionally, a search engine optimizer has an average salary of $99,672, which is higher than the $62,339 average annual salary of a social media strategist.

The top three skills for a social media strategist include instagram, digital marketing and twitter. The most important skills for a search engine optimizer are search engine optimization, CSS, and HTML.

Social media strategist vs search engine optimizer overview

	Social Media Strategist	Search Engine Optimizer
Yearly salary	$62,339	$99,672
Hourly rate	$29.97	$47.92
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	43,791	3,599
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 81%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does a social media strategist do?

A social media strategist is primarily in charge of handling a company or an individual's social media platforms, aiming for brand awareness and good public relations through positive online engagement. Their responsibilities revolve around developing and implementing social media strategies and campaigns for marketing, coordinating with content creators and writers, identifying new online marketing opportunities, keeping abreast of the latest trends, and ensuring that all content materials are relevant to the company. Furthermore, as a social media strategist, it is essential to be prepared for any issues by devising damage control plans.

What does a search engine optimizer do?

A search engine optimizer is in charge of developing strategies to enhance a website's content and search ranking, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. Among their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing web traffic data, researching trends, developing content materials, utilizing relevant keywords, and producing progress reports as needed. There are also instances where they must work together with content specialists and even graphic designers. Furthermore, as a search engine optimizer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with other staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Social media strategist vs search engine optimizer salary

Social media strategists and search engine optimizers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Social Media Strategist	Search Engine Optimizer
Average salary	$62,339	$99,672
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $94,000	Between $70,000 And $141,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state	Utah	California
Best paying company	Google	Meta
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between social media strategist and search engine optimizer education

There are a few differences between a social media strategist and a search engine optimizer in terms of educational background:

	Social Media Strategist	Search Engine Optimizer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 81%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Communication	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Northwestern University	University of Pennsylvania

Social media strategist vs search engine optimizer demographics

Here are the differences between social media strategists' and search engine optimizers' demographics:

	Social Media Strategist	Search Engine Optimizer
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 39.1% Female, 60.9%	Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between social media strategist and search engine optimizer duties and responsibilities

Social media strategist example responsibilities.

Manage social media and content creation for Instagram account of 23k+ followers.
Manage all social agency and vendor relationships, including Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube.
Create, curate, and manage all publish content, including blog posts, website copywriting and design social media images.
Perform administrative duties including ordering photography supplies, managing expenses bookkeeping, updating photography inventory and archives.
Develop creative marketing campaigns to engage current and alumni volunteers including photo and video contests on Facebook.
Crowd source using Facebook, Google and LinkedIn ads.

Search engine optimizer example responsibilities.

Manage paid advertising using AdWords, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Create, manage, and analyze YouTube advertising campaigns and brand channels.
Manage a team in order to meet pre-agreed UMTS Pre launch radio network KPIs.
Manage SEO and SEM campaigns, tracking, and split testing strategically and using proprietary tools.
Utilize Godaddy software and systems and any require portal tools to achieve campaign goals, objectives and KPI's.
Code in HTML, Javascript and CSS.

Social media strategist vs search engine optimizer skills

Common social media strategist skills

Instagram, 7%
Digital Marketing, 7%
Twitter, 6%
Social Media Marketing, 6%
Social Platforms, 4%
Linkedin, 4%

Common search engine optimizer skills

Search Engine Optimization, 16%
CSS, 13%
HTML, 12%
Web Development, 11%
Digital Marketing, 7%
Website Content, 4%

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Social Media Strategist vs Search Engine Optimizer

Updated January 8, 2025

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