Curious about the social media manager salary in 2025? This role covers everything from creating campaigns to tracking results, and pay ranges reflect that mix of skills.
With social platforms driving brand growth faster than ever, the average salary social media managers earn keeps climbing. From agencies to small businesses, hiring a dedicated social media manager is now a standard step for sustainable marketing growth.
Social Media Manager Salary Value?
In today’s digital economy, the role of a social media manager is critical for agencies and small businesses. But what does this responsibility mean when it comes to pay, and what is the real social media manager salary professionals can expect?
The average social media manager salary in the United States is approximately $92,885, with an additional cash package of around $19,338. Using a social media manager salary calculator helps estimate earnings by factoring in experience, location, and industry, as shown in the latest compensation survey.
[Builtin]
Factors Influencing the Social Media Manager’s Salary
The social media manager salary is shaped by several factors: the industry sector, the region where a manager works, and pay equity differences. Employers and professionals both weigh these points when setting compensation.
These factors are:
1. Industry Sector(basic pay by field)
Social media manager salaries vary across different industries:
- Tech Companies: The average salary for a social media manager in tech is about $76,786.
- Manufacturing: Social media managers earn an average salary of $71,841.
- Finance: Average salary is $68,394 for managers in this sector.
- Retail: The average salary social media managers earn in retail is $68,247.
- Small Business: The small business marketing manager’s salary averages $58,500, though pay depends on revenue and company stage.
2. Geographic Location
Social media manager salaries also shift depending on the city or region.
A. Major Cities:
- New York City, NY: Average salary is $76,908.
- Los Angeles, CA: Average salary is $71,380.
- Chicago, IL: Average salary is $66,974.
B. Regions:
- Central Region (e.g., Central Region Cloudflare Austin): Average salary is $85,563.
- Eastern Region (e.g., Baltimore, MD): Average salary is $65,625.
- Western Region (e.g., Phoenix, AZ): Average salary is $76,571.
- Northern Region (e.g., Kansas City, MO): Average salary is $75,875.
- Southern Region (e.g., Albuquerque, NM): Average salary is $69,500.
3. Gender Pay Disparity
Gender also plays a role in salary differences:
- Men: Average salary is $88,557.
- Women: Average salary is $967,987. [Sources Builtin]
How Much Does a Social Media Manager Earn?
The social media manager salary range shifts by experience level, role, and industry. Senior positions in digital marketing carry higher pay, reflecting responsibility and market demand.
1. Senior Marketing Director
They plan long-term campaigns designed to grow the brand and strengthen market presence. They connect brands with the right audiences through creative marketing efforts. They set clear marketing goals and make sure execution matches company priorities.
The average salary for a Senior Marketing Director is about $194K total pay, including roughly $94K in bonuses, placing them in the 90th percentile.
2. Senior Marketing Manager
They run campaigns across multiple channels, ensuring smooth delivery and consistent messaging. They connect team members with stakeholders while managing resources effectively to hit goals. They handle campaign planning, team leadership, and market research.
The average salary for a Senior Marketing Manager is about $152K total pay, including around $52K in bonuses. Those handling social media content management often earn at the higher end of this range.
3. Senior Influencer Manager
The average salary for a Senior Influencer Specialist reflects their role in shaping brand visibility through influencer partnerships. They build lasting connections with influencers to strengthen brand presence and reach. They also safeguard the brand by making sure collaborations align with ethical and professional standards.
For example, an influencer manager’s salary at HomeTap in Boston averages around $135K.
The average social media manager salary for influencer roles is about $154K total pay, including roughly $54K in bonuses.
Social Media Manager Salary according to Job Skills and Roles
Paid social media manager salaries vary by employment type and daily responsibilities. These differences shape potential earnings and career paths in social media management.
Below is an overview of average salaries for different roles:
1. Freelancers
Freelance social media managers usually work remotely, handling communities for multiple clients. According to Built In, the average freelance social media manager salary for remote roles is about $89,221 in 2025, making remote social media manager jobs a strong career choice.
[Source- Builtin]
2. Hourly Rates
The social media manager salary per hour averages $50, though location and experience shift this number.
3. Project-Based Rates
Project-based social media manager salaries average $96,377, based on project size and scope.
[Source– Builtin]
4. Full-Time Positions
Full-time social media managers usually receive a steady salary with benefits such as health coverage, vacation pay, and retirement contributions.
The average social media manager salary United States is about $73,547 base pay, with total compensation averaging $92,885 once bonuses and perks are included.
The base rate for social media manager roles reflects fixed annual pay before bonuses. Total compensation often includes performance bonuses, stock options, and other financial benefits. [Source- Buitin]
5. Part-Time Positions
Part-time social media managers work fewer hours and often don’t receive benefits. The part-time social media manager salary usually falls between $20–$35 per hour, which equals $3,200–$5,600 per month, depending on workload and client budgets.
6. Assistant Social Media Manager
Entry-level professionals support senior managers with posting, community engagement, and analytics reporting. Assistant social media managers focus on daily tasks while building skills in content planning and campaign execution.
The average assistant social media manager salary is about $45,000 total pay, including roughly $5K in bonuses. Pay usually ranges from $38,000–$52,000 per year, depending on company size and location.
7. Small Business Marketing Managers
The small business marketing manager’s salary ranges from $45,000–$65,000 per year. Pay depends on company size and whether the role includes duties beyond social media management.
Related: A guide to social media internships to help you get started on your career path.
Final Words
As businesses put more focus on online presence, demand for skilled professionals continues to rise, making the social media manager role vital. From freelance to senior positions, the social media manager salary varies by experience, industry, and location.
Employers look for specialists who manage engagement, build strong connections, and adapt quickly. Knowing how a social media team is structured helps set clear roles and fair pay. Staying updated on social media manager salary trends ensures both businesses and professionals maintain competitive compensation in this fast-growing field.
FAQs on Social Media Manager Salary
1. How can social media managers enhance their earning potential?
Social media managers raise their pay by gaining advanced skills in areas like analytics, content planning, and digital marketing. Certifications, experience in high-demand industries, and moving into leadership roles boost earning power. Staying current with Social media management tools also supports higher social media manager salary offers.
2. What are the pay structures for social media managers in startup jobs?
Startup managers often receive lower base pay than corporate roles but gain equity as part of compensation. While risk is higher, equity can raise the long-term social media manager’s salary value.
3. What is the impact of remote work or outsourcing work on social media manager salaries?
Remote and outsourced work expands the talent pool, often lowering costs for startups. However, experienced professionals with proven results still command higher social media manager salaries, regardless of location.
4. What is the difference between working as a freelancer and as a full-time marketing manager in terms of salary?
Debbie Moran is a Digital marketing strategist with 5+ years of experience producing advertising for brands and helping leaders showcase their brand to the correct audience. She has been a part of RecurPost since 2019 and handles all the activities required to grow our brand’s online presence.
