How Much Does a Social Media Director Make in 2025?

Social media directors oversee an organization’s digital presence, develop social media strategies, manage content creation, and lead teams to enhance brand engagement across platforms. The role requires expertise in marketing trends, analytics, and leadership.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that top executives, including social media directors, will see a growth of 6% over the next 10 years.

According to Salary.com data, the average social media director salary is $171,340 per year, with a base hourly rate of $82, as of June 01, 2025. However, pay varies by experience level, industry, location, and education, which will be discussed later.

What is the Average Social Media Director Salary?

As of June 01, 2025, the average social media director salary in the United States is $171,340 per year (50th percentile), according to Salary.com data. For the hourly wage, social media directors have an average pay of $82 per hour, with rates ranging from $68 to $96 per hour, depending on the employer and location.

2025 Social media director average salary: $171,340 per year ($82 per hour)

The average weekly and monthly salaries for this job title are $3,295 and $14,278, respectively, making it a high-earning career for those skilled in social media and marketing.

What is the Pay Range for a Social Media Director?

The salary range for social media directors starts at $141,556 and can reach as high as $199,901 per year, based on Salary.com data. This pay range reflects variations in experience, location, companies, and industry demand.

Social media director salary range: $141,556 to $199,901 per year ($68 to $96 per hour)

Social Media Director Salary Factors

Several factors influence a social media director's salary, including experience level, location, education, social media director skills, and the companies they work for. Below is a breakdown of these factors and their impact on what you can earn.

Experience Level

The salary for social media directors varies by experience. Entry-level social media directors with less than one year of experience earn about $173,784 annually, while those with over eight years of experience can earn up to $184,940, according to Salary.com.

Place of Work

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that a social media director's salary largely depends on where they work. Those working in high-demand industries such as management of companies and enterprises or professional, scientific, and technical services earn more than those in less digital-focused sectors like government.

Skill Set

Social media directors with in-demand skills can increase their salaries. A search through Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report showed that social media directors with advertising skills can earn 7.73% more than those without.

Also, a social media director with content marketing skills is more likely to experience a salary increase of 6.91%, followed by skills like campaign management and content strategy. To determine salary growth, employers analyze the number of years of experience, certifications, and specialized skills that a social media director brings to the role.

Social Media Director Salary by City and State

Location is an important factor in determining a social media director's salary. Data from Salary.com highlights how pay varies across states and highest-paying cities, which is valuable for social media directors seeking job openings or negotiating salaries.

Highest Paying States for Social Media Director

The District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for social media directors at $209,720 per year, followed by California at $208,930, according to Salary.com data.

• District of Columbia: $209,720 ($100.83 per hour)
• California: $208,930 ($100.45 per hour)
• Washington: $205,380 ($98.74 per hour)
• New Jersey (NJ): $205,310 ($98.71 per hour)
• Massachusetts: $206,140 ($99.11 per hour)

Social Media Director Salary by State

Highest Paying Cities for Social Media Director

Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California, is among the highest-paying cities, offering social media directors $238,910 per year or $114.86 per hour. The top six highest-paying cities for this job title are

• San Jose, CA: $238,910 per year
• San Francisco, CA: $236,560 per year
• Oakland, CA: $231,310 per year
• New York, NY: $219,510 per year
• Queens Village, NY: $218,090 per year
• Paramus, NJ: $216,580 per year

Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Social Media Director

Social media directors can boost their salary by building experience, developing in-demand skills, and advancing their career. Here’s how to earn more:

1. Gain industry experience: Entry-level social media directors earn about $173,784 per year, while those with 8+ years of experience make around $184,940, per Salary.com. Completing jobs in marketing or content creation enhances worth.
2. Develop high-demand skills: Improve skills like advertising, content marketing, and campaign management. For example, advertising skills can increase salaries by 7.73%, and content marketing skills by 6.91%.
3. Negotiate your compensation: Use data on average salaries for your level and location to negotiate with employers. Highlight your impact on sales and engagement. The average social media director salary is $171,340 per year as of June 01, 2025.
4. Work in high-paying cities or industries: Find job openings in the highest-paying cities, like San Jose ($238,910) or New York ($219,510), or in industries like technology and media to maximize pay.

Average National Salaries by Source

As of June 9, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for social media director in the United States is $103,978.6 (unweighted).

SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY

$171,340 / year

ZIPPIA AVG. SALARY

$70,846 / year

GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY

$93,838 / year

PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY

$89,362 / year

ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY

$94,507 / year