How Much Does a Social Media Specialist Make? (2025)
A social media specialist is responsible for creating and managing content across all social media platforms to grow an audience and build brand awareness. They also plan campaigns, research trends, and analyze performance to improve engagement and results.
With the ongoing popularity of social media in businesses and everyday life, this role has become increasingly important. According to Salary.com, a social media specialist earns a national average of $68,211 per year or $33 per hour in the United States.
Use this salary guide to learn more about social media specialist salary expectations, the highest-paying cities, and common questions about the role.
What is the Social Media Specialist's Salary?
As of August 28, 2025, the average social media specialist salary in the United States is $68,211 per year or $33 per hour. The salary range for social media specialists is between $54,171 and $79,966, with most earnings of $60,862 to $74,364 per year.
2025 Average Salary for Social Media Specialist: $68,211 per year ($33 per hour)
A social media specialist reported an average monthly salary of $5,684, while the average weekly pay is $1,312. Moreover, the average social media specialist salary per hour is $33, according to the recent Salary.com report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $26 | $1,042 | $4,514 | $54,171 |
| 25th Percentile | $29 | $1,170 | $5,072 | $60,862 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $33 | $1,312 | $5,684 | $68,211 |
| 75th Percentile | $36 | $1,430 | $6,197 | $74,364 |
| 90th Percentile | $38 | $1,538 | $6,664 | $79,966 |
Apart from the base pay, social media specialists receive additional pay. The average total compensation in the United States is $113,510 per year.
Social Media Specialist Average Salaries State by State
Social media specialist salaries differ across U.S. states and territories due to factors such as job demand, geographic location, cost of living, and local wage standards.
The table below shows the states and territories with the highest average pay for social media specialists: the District of Columbia ($75,523), California ($75,237), and Massachusetts ($74,234).
On the other hand, the states and territories with the lowest average salaries include Mississippi ($60,831), Arkansas ($61,622), and West Virginia ($61,424).
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $73,838 |
| Alabama | $62,665 |
| Arkansas | $61,622 |
| Arizona | $66,465 |
| California | $75,237 |
| Colorado | $69,596 |
| Connecticut | $72,897 |
| District of Columbia | $75,523 |
| Delaware | $69,077 |
| Florida | $64,541 |
| Georgia | $65,790 |
| Hawaii | $71,294 |
| Iowa | $65,278 |
| Idaho | $63,675 |
| Illinois | $69,527 |
| Indiana | $65,476 |
| Kansas | $64,951 |
| Kentucky | $64,187 |
| Louisiana | $64,855 |
| Massachusetts | $74,234 |
| Maryland | $70,332 |
| Maine | $66,506 |
| Michigan | $67,174 |
| Minnesota | $69,800 |
| Missouri | $64,807 |
| Mississippi | $60,831 |
| Montana | $64,398 |
| North Carolina | $64,821 |
| North Dakota | $67,379 |
| Nebraska | $64,262 |
| New Hampshire | $68,957 |
| New Jersey | $73,934 |
| New Mexico | $63,177 |
| Nevada | $67,508 |
| New York | $72,515 |
| Ohio | $66,417 |
| Oklahoma | $63,068 |
| Oregon | $69,268 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,904 |
| Rhode Island | $70,721 |
| South Carolina | $63,914 |
| South Dakota | $61,990 |
| Tennessee | $63,743 |
| Texas | $66,533 |
| Utah | $65,319 |
| Virginia | $68,688 |
| Vermont | $66,949 |
| Washington | $73,961 |
| Wisconsin | $67,099 |
| West Virginia | $61,424 |
| Wyoming | $65,414 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Social Media Specialists?
Social media specialist salaries also vary by city, influenced by the cost of living, local demand, and industry rates in urban areas.
For example, cities in California such as San Jose and San Francisco offer higher average salaries for social media specialists, at $86,035 and $85,189, respectively.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $86,035 |
| San Francisco, CA | $85,189 |
| Oakland, CA | $83,299 |
| New York, NY | $79,050 |
| Queens Village, NY | $78,538 |
| Paramus, NJ | $77,992 |
How Does Experience Affect Social Media Specialist Salaries?
Social media specialist salaries grow with experience. Salary.com reports that entry-level specialists earn about $65,271 per year, while those with over 8 years of experience average $70,473 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Social Media Specialist | $65,271 |
| Intermediate Level Social Media Specialist | $65,837 |
| Senior Level Social Media Specialist | $68,211 |
| Specialist Level Social Media Specialist | $70,021 |
| Expert Level Social Media Specialist | $70,473 |
How to Increase Salary as a Social Media Specialist?
As per Salary.com, most social media specialists in the U.S. need a bachelor's degree and 2 to 4 years of experience to enter the field. Salaries can increase with more experience, advanced skills, or leadership roles.
Social Media Specialist Advancements
- Build a strong portfolio: Many employers value experience in creating successful social media campaigns. A portfolio showcasing your content, analytics, and results adds credibility and can lead to higher pay and better opportunities.
- Promotion: Social media specialists can move up to roles like senior specialist, social media manager, or digital marketing lead, which come with higher pay and more leadership responsibilities.
- Upskilling and education: Gaining expertise in content marketing, video editing, digital advertising, and analytics tools can increase your demand and salary. Earning certifications and pursuing advanced degrees, such as a master's in Internet marketing, can further support your career growth.
Social Media Specialist Skills
Social media specialists with specialized skills can increase their pay. According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, promotion skills can boost salaries by 8.21%, while content marketing skills add 7.81%.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Promotion | 10.60% | +8.21% |
| Content Marketing | 10.50% | +7.81% |
| Content Management System | 10.90% | +7.57% |
| Social Media Monitoring | 10.50% | +7.23% |
| Social Media Management | 10.30% | +7.23% |
| Video Editing | 10.40% | +7.01% |
What are the FAQs About Social Media Specialist Salaries?
Here are some common questions about social media specialist salary:
Is social media a high paying job?
It depends. The average salary for a social media specialist in the U.S. is $68,211, but it can go up to $79,966 based on experience and skills. Pay also varies by location, industry, and job type. Top earners often work in big cities, for example, San Jose, California, where the average salary is $86,035, in the highest paying industries or as freelancers with strong portfolios.
What does the social media specialist do?
As mentioned, a social media specialist creates and manages content on all social media platforms to grow the audience and build brand awareness. Apart from that, here are the key job responsibilities:
- Creates and runs social media campaigns that fit the company's goals and style
- Researches market trends and best practices
- Plans and carries out social media strategies using competitor info and audience targeting
- Checks data like traffic and audience to see how well campaigns work
Can you be a social media specialist without a degree?
Yes, you can become a social media professional or specialist without a degree; however, keep in mind that, based on Salary.com data, the social media specialist job typically requires a bachelor's degree in the United States.
Is social media a good career path?
Yes, social media can be a good career, especially in social marketing and communications. According to the BLS, jobs for public relations specialists, which include social media roles, are expected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than most similar professions.
What skills do you need to be a social media specialist?
The skills that you need to be a social media specialist include familiarity with social media platforms, the ability to use social media management tools, understanding your audience, creativity, strong communication skills, knowledge of content strategies, and the ability to make quick decisions, especially in sensitive situations.
