Social Media Manager Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - January 8, 2018
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Reading Time: 9 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Social Media Manager. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Social Media Managers.

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Social Media Manager Job Duties

Social media managers are specialists who are able to communicate with the public by using platforms through which online content can be created and shared. They hold overarching responsibility for the social media accounts of their employers and ensure these accounts are used to increase the reputation of a brand.

A social media manager posts regular pieces of content, including video, text, and images, in order to encourage others to have conversations and get to know the brand. They also encourage customers to share images, texts, and other forms of media about their experiences with the brand.

A social media manager also interacts with the public and follows conversations on the internet. This makes it a very interesting job, as it is impossible to predict what others will say, particularly in relation to online content. They must monitor trending topics and hashtags, for instance, and find ways to use them as part of the brand.

Sometimes, a social media manager will also work with other staff to further promote their brand. For instance, they may bring in marketing consultants if they want to publicize an event. They must also track whether their efforts have been successful, for which they must set goals and then measure success. This means they also work with various online analytics tools.

Other job duties a social media manager include:

  • Developing a corporate social media strategy and implementing it
  • Monitoring all online activities across geographical areas and departments, ensuring those who use the tools follow best practice rules and guidelines
  • Encouraging greater participation in social media
  • Spotting opportunities where public perception can be influenced, engaging with an audience and speaking publicly about the social media strategy

Where Social Media Manager’s Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a social media manager is grouped under the category of public relations specialists. There were 218,910 of these specialists in May 2015.

How to Become a Social Media Manager

A social media manager must have an in-depth understanding of the various social media platforms. They must also be comfortable in using those platforms, as well as in using tools that allow for the same post to be made available across different platforms. They must also be able to understand the interests the audience, finding out what fans are currently discussing.

Social Media Manager Education Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is usually required for someone to become a social media manager. Areas such as communications, public relations, business, and journalism are particularly important. Some also complete master’s degrees in internet marketing.

Companies often look for those who have proven experience in the workplace. Hence, completing an internship is generally recommended. Those who have previous experience in public affairs or social media are in the highest demand.

Certifications are available but not mandatory. They do, however, show a willingness to keep learning and improving yourself.

Social Media Manager Traits & Qualities

The most effective have the following traits to some degree or other:

  • Excellent creative skills
  • Great communication skills, not just standard verbal and written, but also in line with online forms of communication. This includes using acronyms and not exceeding certain numbers of words or characters.
  • Strong and fast decision making skills
  • Excellent computer skills, particularly in relation to presentations, spreadsheets, email management, and Microsoft Office applications
  • Leadership skills
  • Being a team player but at the same time someone who can work under minimum levels of supervision
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Managerial skills
  • Marketing skills
  • Being creative

Minimum Social Media Manager Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Social Media Manager Salary

The national average salary estimate for Social Media Manager was $50,861. This number is estimated from over 397,424 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $26.49 and monthly of $4,238.

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$14,000

$116,000

Salary Distribution

Social Media Manager Salary by State

The following section lists Social Media Manager salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Alaska had the largest quoted salary of $163,932 while Idaho had the smallest quoted salary of $20,064.

AlaskaIllinoisNorth CarolinaSouth Carolina
ArizonaIndianaNebraskaTennessee
CaliforniaKentuckyNew JerseyTexas
ColoradoLouisianaNevadaUtah
ConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkVirginia
DCMarylandOhioWashington
FloridaMichiganOklahomaWisconsin
GeorgiaMinnesotaOregon
IdahoMissouriPennsylvania
Alaska$163,932Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ConocoPhillips.

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$6,300

$24,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona$49,054Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Staffing Strong, Career Evolutions, and Knockout Gaming.

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$20,000

$90,000

Salary Distribution
California$54,963Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Beyondsoft, 80Twenty, Talent Avenue, and Tandem Recruiting Group.

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$15,000

$120,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado$49,148Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Creative Circle and The Creative Group.

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$14,000

$113,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut$45,675Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fogarty Knapp & Associates, Inc and Soxxy.

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$14,000

$116,000

Salary Distribution
DC$65,355Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half The Creative Group, The Creative Group, Creative Circle, and New Media Company.

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$23,000

$128,000

Salary Distribution
Florida$46,858Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Headhunter Services LLC, Digital Advertising Agency, The Creative Group, and Lamark Media.

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$14,000

$98,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia$53,500Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half The Creative Group, The Creative Group, Creative Circle, and NorthPoint Search Group Inc..

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$20,000

$102,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho$20,064Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Julie Rigby Realty.

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$7.25

$15.85

Salary Distribution
Illinois$57,887Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Hirewell, Creative Circle, and WunderLand Group.

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$18,000

$118,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana$39,002Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Firebelly.

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$14,000

$97,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky$54,575Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders.

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$25,000

$95,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana$21,177Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Advantage Staffing.

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$7.25

$18.90

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts$50,148Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Creative Circle, Educational Services Company, and JSM Consulting.

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$14,000

$117,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland$59,513Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aerotek, The Creative Group, and The Midtown Group.

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$16,000

$129,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan$67,828Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Creative Circle, Avalon Building Concepts, Real Peoples Ratings LLC, and Skyline Recruiting Solutions, Inc.

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$14,000

$164,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota$51,469Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Creative Circle, The Creative Group, Robert Half The Creative Group, and Concept Group.

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$18,000

$100,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri$34,118Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Creative Circle, Robert Half The Creative Group, and The Creative Group.

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$7.25

$38.90

Salary Distribution
North Carolina$46,771Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half The Creative Group, 2HotRadio.com, The Creative Group, and Brazwells Premium Pub – Ballantyne.

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$7.25

$57.70

Salary Distribution
Nebraska$26,425Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like DKA Design Group.

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$14,000

$58,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey$53,179Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, The Creative Group, Automotive avenues NJ, and Robert Half.

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$14,000

$124,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada$46,227Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AppleOne and CyberCoders.

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$14,000

$113,000

Salary Distribution
New York$53,593Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Access Staffing LLC, Financial Asset Management Systems, and Creative Circle.

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$14,000

$121,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio$51,653Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ohio State University, Day Star Staffing, Real Estate U, and Real Peoples Ratings LLC.

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$14,000

$123,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma$38,924Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Massive Engineering / Mammoth Electronics / 4Site Industries.

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$18,000

$68,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon$32,140Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Creative Circle.

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$7.25

$40.30

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania$39,010Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like New Media Company, Power Home Remodeling, Social Vantage, and JSM Consulting.

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$14,000

$80,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina$38,927Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kingdom Connected Investments, LLC.

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$14,000

$86,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee$43,086Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, JSM Consulting, and Hwy 31 Exchange, Inc..

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$14,000

$100,000

Salary Distribution
Texas$44,113Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Merchandising Consultants Associates (MCA), CyberCoders, Creative Circle, and TAOTIE LLC.

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$14,000

$115,000

Salary Distribution
Utah$38,928Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Corporate Graphics.

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$14,000

$102,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia$44,118Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Creative Group.

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$14,000

$105,000

Salary Distribution
Washington$55,010Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Creative Circle, Seattle Southside, CardTapp, and AT&T Mobility.

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$14,000

$122,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin$41,535Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cadre Services and Clever Dog Creative.

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$14,000

$84,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Social Media Manager Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Social Media Manager. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary

Social Media Manager Learn More

Related Social Media Manager Careers

Career NameAverage Salary

Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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