How Much Does an SEO Analyst Make? (2025)
A search engine optimization analyst, or SEO specialist, evaluates daily site performance and employs SEO technologies to improve traffic, improve user experience, and elevate conversions. The job is usually a remote position, where in they conduct searches for keywords, technical audits, and content assessments, utilizing analytics to generate reports and pinpoint optimization opportunities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that marketing research analysts, including SEO analysts, earned a median of $76,950 in May 2024. Salary.com recorded the salary for SEO analyst as $80,401 per year on July 10, 2025.
Keep reading this salary guide to explore the SEO specialist’s salary expectations, the highest-paying cities, and answers to common questions about the role.
What is the Average SEO Analyst’s Salary?
As of July 10, 2025, the average SEO analyst salary in the United States is $80,401 per year or $39 per hour. The salary range for SEO analysts is between $67,219 and $102,371, with most earnings of $73,501 to $91,901 per year.
2025 Average Salary for SEO Analyst: $80,401 per year ($39 per hour)
An SEO analyst reported an average monthly salary of $6,700, while the average weekly pay was $1,546. Moreover, the average SEO analyst salary per hour is $39 according to the recent Salary.com report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $32 | $1,293 | $5,602 | $67,219 |
| 25th Percentile | $35 | $1,413 | $6,125 | $73,501 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $39 | $1,546 | $6,700 | $80,401 |
| 75th Percentile | $44 | $1,767 | $7,658 | $91,901 |
| 90th Percentile | $49 | $1,969 | $8,531 | $102,371 |
Apart from base pay, SEO analysts may receive additional cash compensation, which contributes to their total compensation package. The average total compensation for an SEO analyst is $117,152 per year.
SEO Analyst Salaries State by State
SEO analyst salaries vary by state in the U.S. due to factors like minimum wage, job demand, location, and cost of living.
The table below shows the states with the highest salary for SEO analysts are the District of Columbia ($89,101), California ($88,701), and Massachusetts ($87,501).
Meanwhile, the lowest average salaries for SEO analysts are found in Arkansas ($72,701), West Virginia ($72,401), and Mississippi ($71,701),
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $87,101 |
| Alabama | $73,901 |
| Arkansas | $72,701 |
| Arizona | $78,401 |
| California | $88,701 |
| Colorado | $82,101 |
| Connecticut | $86,001 |
| District of Columbia | $89,101 |
| Delaware | $81,501 |
| Florida | $76,101 |
| Georgia | $77,601 |
| Hawaii | $84,101 |
| Iowa | $77,001 |
| Idaho | $75,101 |
| Illinois | $82,001 |
| Indiana | $77,201 |
| Kansas | $76,601 |
| Kentucky | $75,701 |
| Louisiana | $76,501 |
| Massachusetts | $87,501 |
| Maryland | $82,901 |
| Maine | $78,401 |
| Michigan | $79,201 |
| Minnesota | $82,301 |
| Missouri | $76,401 |
| Mississippi | $71,701 |
| Montana | $76,001 |
| North Carolina | $76,401 |
| North Dakota | $79,501 |
| Nebraska | $75,801 |
| New Hampshire | $81,301 |
| New Jersey | $87,201 |
| New Mexico | $74,501 |
| Nevada | $79,601 |
| New York | $85,501 |
| Ohio | $78,301 |
| Oklahoma | $74,401 |
| Oregon | $81,701 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,101 |
| Rhode Island | $83,401 |
| South Carolina | $75,401 |
| South Dakota | $73,101 |
| Tennessee | $75,201 |
| Texas | $78,501 |
| Utah | $77,001 |
| Virginia | $81,001 |
| Vermont | $79,001 |
| Washington | $87,201 |
| Wisconsin | $79,101 |
| West Virginia | $72,401 |
| Wyoming | $77,101 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for SEO Analysts?
SEO analyst salaries also vary by city due to variations in the cost of living, local demand, and industry rates in urban areas.
For example, California cities like San Jose and San Francisco offer a high average salary for SEO analyst, with $101,501 and $100,501, respectively.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $101,501 |
| San Francisco, CA | $100,501 |
| Oakland, CA | $98,201 |
| New York, NY | $93,201 |
| Queens Village, NY | $92,601 |
| Paramus, NJ | $92,001 |
How Does Experience Affect SEO Analyst Salaries?
The salary of SEO analysts increases with experience. According to a Salary.com report, entry-level SEO analysts earn an average of $78,235 per year, while experienced SEO analysts with over 8 years of experience earn an average of $86,456 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level SEO Analyst | $78,235 |
| Intermediate Level SEO Analyst | $78,441 |
| Senior Level SEO Analyst | $79,780 |
| Specialist Level SEO Analyst | $84,775 |
| Expert Level SEO Analyst | $86,456 |
How to Increase Salary as a SEO Analyst?
SEO analysts, like market research analysts, often require a bachelor's degree in market research or a related discipline such as economics or social sciences. Courses in statistics, research methodologies, communication, marketing, including consumer behavior are essential. Salaries can increase significantly with career advancement, specialization, and the development of in-demand skills.
SEO Analyst Advancements
- Get certifications: Build your portfolio to show your competence. According to BLS, analysts may seek voluntary certification to exhibit a degree of professional competence. Adding practical experience through internships or real-world projects can also make you stand out to employers.
- Gain experience: Salary.com data shows that entry-level SEO analysts with less than one year of experience can earn a salary of $78,235 annually, while those with over eight years of experience can earn $86,456 per year. This highlights the strong earning potential and career growth opportunities in the field.
- Learn highly in demand skills: Skills like programming languages are in demand by about 23.96%, offering a potential salary increase of 8.41%. HTML skills are also in demand by 30.80%, with a salary increase of 7.54%. Strengthening these technical skills can significantly boost your competitiveness, ensuring a higher earning potential.
SEO Analyst Skills
SEO analysts with certain skills can also increase their salaries. According to a Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, an SEO analyst with programming languages skills can earn a +8.41% salary increase, followed by HTML skills with a +7.54% increase.
| Skill | Demand (%) | Salary Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Programming Languages | 23.96% | +8.41% |
| HTML | 30.80% | +7.54% |
| Java Script | 13.48% | +7.30% |
| Content Strategy | 14.44% | +6.52% |
| Content Management System | 34.12% | +5.71% |
| Digital Marketing | 40.19% | +4.49% |
What are the FAQs About SEO Analyst Salaries?
Here are some common questions about SEO analyst salary:
How much does an SEO analyst get paid?
As of July 1, 2025, the average SEO analyst in the U.S. earns $80,401 per year or $39 per hour, according to Salary.com.
What does an SEO analyst do?
Evaluates daily page performance and employs SEO methods to enhance traffic, user experience, and conversions. SEO specialists are responsible for performing research on keywords, technical audits, and content deficiencies. The job role includes employing data to generate reports and pinpoint optimization opportunities, while remaining informed about SEO trends via competitor analysis.
What are the highest paying cities for SEO analysts do?
Some of the highest paying cities for SEO analyst include California, San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland which the salaries are $101,501, $100,501 and $98,201 per year, respectively. Another city with a high paying salary for SEO analysts is New York which is $93,201 per year.
