SEO is a promising career in 2025 because it gives you access to diverse opportunities. You can work in-house, take on clients, and even start and grow your own business (using SEO).
Plus, the three most popular websites, Google.com, YouTube.com, and Amazon.com, are the biggest search engines.
If you'd like to start a good career in the SEO industry, then keep reading.
What is SEO?
SEO is an acronym for Search Engine Optimization. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) optimizes a website, page, content, or application to improve its visibility in a search engine.
SEO is most popular for Google because it's the biggest search engine.
However, there is a growing demand for SEO specialists who understand how to optimize for YouTube and Amazon searches. YouTube is the biggest video search engine in the world. At the same time, Amazon is the biggest e-commerce search engine.
How Big is the SEO Industry
The SEO industry has shown remarkable growth and resilience over the years. According to Acumen Research and Consulting, the global SEO services market was valued at $46.7 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6%, reaching $234.8 billion by 2030.
Similarly, Emergen Research highlights the significant contribution of mobile-first indexing and increased digital adoption as key drivers. The SEO market size was $68.27 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7%, achieving a value of $157.41 billion by 2032.
Additionally, Research and Markets reports that the global SEO services market grew from $75.13 billion in 2023 to $88.91 billion in 2024, at an impressive CAGR of 18.3%, and is forecasted to hit $170 billion by 2028.
These trends underline the expanding role of SEO in digital marketing as businesses continue to prioritize online visibility and adapt to evolving search engine algorithms.
What is Your Income Potential in the SEO Industry?
How much money you make in the SEO industry depends on your chosen path. The safe route is to become an SEO specialist at a growing company or digital marketing agency.
Related: The State of the SEO Job Market
Here's a breakdown of SEO salary data from various sources:
SEO Specialist
- Glassdoor reports an average base salary of $64,939 with total pay (including bonuses) averaging $70,492 annually.
- Indeed lists an average salary of $61,989 per year, with salaries ranging from $33,893 to $113,373, depending on experience and location.
- ZipRecruiter places the average annual pay for an SEO specialist at $67,388, with a typical range between $53,000 and $75,000.
SEO Manager
If you progress into an SEO manager role, responsibilities expand to leading a team and overseeing strategy.
- Built In reports an average salary of $80,585 for SEO managers, with ranges from $35,000 to $200,000, depending on experience and location.
- Ahrefs' survey indicates a median annual salary of $58,107 for SEO managers, with most earning between $50,000 and $120,000.
SEO Director
The highest-paid SEO position within a company is typically an SEO director.
- Ahrefs found that SEO directors earned a median salary of $97,468, with those at large companies or in technical specializations often earning higher amounts.
- Glassdoor lists SEO director total pay ranges from $53,000 to $96,000, though the highest earners at major companies can exceed these figures.
Salaries in SEO vary significantly depending on the source. This is likely due to differences in data collection methods and respondent demographics:
- Glassdoor and Indeed aggregate salaries from user submissions, leading to broader but less specific ranges.
- Ahrefs' survey focuses on industry professionals and often highlights nuances like experience and specialization.
Overall, starting as an SEO specialist can provide a solid foundation, while moving into management or director roles offers greater earning potential. Specializing in technical SEO or working in-house at larger companies typically results in the highest salaries.
The #1 Career Alternative to an In-House SEO Specialist
One way to grow your income in the SEO industry is to take on clients. Many call this "client SEO." In short, small businesses will pay you to help them improve their rankings and grow their organic search traffic.
It is highly lucrative when you can develop a proven process for acquiring new clients.
And the final way to expand your income in the SEO industry is to build websites you own.
Related: How to Start an SEO Business
You can then use your SEO skills to grow organic traffic.
Once the traffic grows, you can monetize the website through ads, affiliate offers, or even creating products.
Now, here's the truth:
People who make the most money in the SEO industry focus on the latter two options: client SEO and building business.
SEO is a GREAT Career in 2025!
The possibilities are endless when you build a career in the SEO industry. SEO as a skill is extremely valuable because A) it's challenging to master, and B) every business can benefit from it.
Here are some resources to get started today:
