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Job outlook for subject matter experts in the United States
Subject matter expert job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected subject matter expert job growth rate is 11% from 2018-2028.
About 108,400 new jobs for subject matter experts are projected over the next decade.
Subject matter expert salaries have increased 8% for subject matter experts in the last 5 years.
There are over 38,252 subject matter experts currently employed in the United States.
There are 58,235 active subject matter expert job openings in the US.
The average subject matter expert salary is $103,749.
Are subject matter expert jobs in demand?
Subject matter expert job and salary trends over time
Subject matter expert jobs over time
Subject matter expert job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 38,252 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 36,538 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 35,330 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 34,538 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 33,306 | 0.01% |
Average subject matter expert salary over time
Subject matter expert salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $103,749 | $49.88 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $100,908 | $48.51 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $98,955 | $47.57 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $97,582 | $46.91 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | $96,257 | $46.28 | +0.0% |
Subject matter expert jobs by state
Most common states for subject matter experts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 515 | 74% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,372 | 16% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 860 | 13% |
| 4 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 187 | 13% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 744 | 12% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 129 | 12% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 119 | 12% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 141 | 11% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 547 | 10% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 309 | 10% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,178 | 9% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 919 | 9% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 791 | 9% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 494 | 9% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 382 | 9% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 69 | 9% |
| 17 | Alaska | 739,795 | 64 | 9% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 577 | 8% |
| 19 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 396 | 8% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 300 | 8% |
Most common cities for subject matter experts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 7 | 25% | $87,730 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 9 | 23% | $119,690 |
| 3 | Juneau | 7 | 22% | $114,492 |
| 4 | Dover | 7 | 19% | $96,913 |
| 5 | Hartford | 7 | 6% | $109,346 |
| 6 | Lansing | 7 | 6% | $100,488 |
| 7 | Washington | 33 | 5% | $117,945 |
| 8 | Arlington | 10 | 5% | $109,093 |
| 9 | Des Moines | 9 | 4% | $105,505 |
| 10 | Little Rock | 8 | 4% | $75,688 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 15 | 3% | $96,397 |
| 12 | Baton Rouge | 7 | 3% | $109,783 |
| 13 | Urban Honolulu | 8 | 2% | $66,817 |
| 14 | Boston | 10 | 1% | $110,056 |
| 15 | Denver | 9 | 1% | $106,911 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 7 | 1% | $90,251 |
Subject Matter Expert job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of subject matter expert experts
UMass Lowell
University of Southern Maine
Western Kentucky University
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Drexel University
Wake Forest University
University of California, Irvine
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Masters of Science in EntrepreneurshipUMass Lowell
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
What Subject Matter Expert skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Obviously we are seeing a tremendous increase in AI and other digital technologies. These will become a more crucial skill set for many careers going forward. But I wouldn't downplay the role of what are traditionally seen as soft skills like empathy, communications, and judgment. Not only can these distinguish you from robots but from your human competitors as well.
What will help Subject Matter Experts increase their earning potential?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: If all you want is the highest potential starting salary, then you should aim for careers that offer them. But that is a shortsighted way to view things. For example, many careers that have tournament-like pay structures (think entertainment) often have very low starting salaries but the so-called winners enjoy outsized financial gains. If you are thinking about a more traditional career, I think it's important to make sure you are more valuable to your employer than they are to you. This means you have to market yourself, both to your current employer as well as to potential ones. Of course, this approach may not be for everyone and maximizing your salary potential is only one thing you should be considering when assessing job and career opportunities.
Tove Rasmussen
LecturerUniversity of Southern Maine
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Subject Matter Expert?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen advises graduates beginning their career in the field to...
What Subject Matter Expert skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Rich PhD: Think about the types of jobs that interest you and the skills necessary for those jobs early. So many students start thinking about post-graduation life spring their senior year, when it should be an incremental process much earlier. Another pieces of advice would be to talk to faculty and alum about your interests, find internship or research opportunities when possible, and try to figure out early your strengths and weaknesses. It's easy for students, especially high performing ones, to not fully consider what their weaknesses are. I encourage students to jot down what they see as their skills too and to share them with others. It helps them to identify what's a common skill versus something that might make them stick out.
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.
ProfessorJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to a Subject Matter Expert?
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.: Being able to negotiate a salary is also a skill that students need to learn and one that is rarely taught in college. Students need to be able to ask for more than they are offered, but also take jobs at entry levels, prove themselves and then ask for an increase in pay six months into the job after they have shown that they are doing the work and achieving their goals.
What Subject Matter Expert skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: I would advise graduates to be open to considering jobs in lots of different fields. The skills acquired through their major- such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing- are ones that transfer well to a variety of situations.
What general advice would you give to a Subject Matter Expert?
Dr. Paige Novak P.E. (Minnesota), BCEE: Ask questions, stay curious and open minded, take opportunities to learn and develop new skills.
What Subject Matter Expert skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mark Stehr PhD: At the start of your career, it's very important to land a role where you learn a lot and find good mentors. The additional skills will pay dividends as your career progresses.
What will help Subject Matter Experts increase their earning potential?
Mary Rodena-Krasan Ph.D.: A degree in German Studies is extraordinarily flexible, giving you a skill set that makes you suitable to a variety of fields. Be open to every opportunity and never underestimate the skill sets learning a new language has afforded you - cross-cultural competence, interlinguistic technological adeptness, problem solving, information analysis, and critical thinking. Employers want someone they don't have to hand-hold. Studying a foreign language requires a lot of self-initiative - apply that to every assignment at the job and don't be afraid to suggest approaches! Your ability to undertake something new and be successful has already been proven by your German studies degree!
What general advice would you give to a Subject Matter Expert?
Dr. Mark Evans: Add value beyond what you are asked to do. Take ownership of your work. Volunteer for the most difficult jobs and clients.
What Subject Matter Expert skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mark Evans: Don't stop learning. Treat your first job like more graduate school. Learn everything you can.
David Feldman Ph.D.
Professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy and Political Science, Director, Water UCI, Director, MPP ProgramUniversity of California, Irvine
Urban Planning and Public Policy
What skills stand out on Subject Matter Expert resumes?
David Feldman Ph.D.: Succinct writing, critical thinking, strong quantitative analytical skills.