Career profile · SOC 13-1161.01

Search Marketing Strategists

Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.

Search Marketing Strategists employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. The role reports a median annual salary of $76,950 in the US with the middle 80% earning between $40,020 and $137,550 and is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows high AI exposure (0.73 on a 0-1 scale) — significant portions of core tasks are already being automated. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Writing.

Median salary
$76,950
per year
Growth outlook
Average
BLS 10-yr
Education
Bachelor's degree
AI exposure
7.3/10
automation risk

Salary distribution (US)

Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.

Bottom 10%
$40,020
25th %ile
$53,290
Median
$76,950
75th %ile
$103,080
Top 10%
$137,550

Top skills

Active Listening Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Speaking Writing Complex Problem Solving Judgment and Decision Making Active Learning Social Perceptiveness Mathematics

Knowledge you'll build

  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Administration and Management
  • Communications and Media
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Economics and Accounting

Frequently asked questions

What does Search Marketing Strategists do?

Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.

How much does Search Marketing Strategists earn?

The median annual salary for Search Marketing Strategists in the US is $76,950. The middle 80% of workers earn between $40,020 and $137,550 annually. Entry-to-mid-career earners typically fall between $53,290 and $103,080.

What is the job outlook for Search Marketing Strategists?

The role is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 941,700 workers.

How do I become search marketing strategists?

The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.

What skills does Search Marketing Strategists need?

The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Writing, Complex Problem Solving. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.

Will AI replace Search Marketing Strategists?

Our AI-durability model gives Search Marketing Strategists a score of 0.73 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at high AI risk — many core tasks are already being automated by generative AI and workflow tools. Focus on AI-adjacent skills or plan a pivot to an AI-durable adjacent role.

How hard is it to enter this field?

Search Marketing Strategists has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.

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