How much do social media and digital marketing roles earn?
With such a huge range of jobs from SEO to content creation, your salary in the digital marketing and social media industry really depends on your role, company and location.
Do you work for an agency or in-house? How big is the company? What level are you at? Where are you located in Australia?
Let’s take a look at the numbers:
Average Salary for Marketing Jobs in Australia
Hays Annual Salary Guide for 2021/22 reports on the average salaries (exclusive of superannuation) for a range of marketing roles across locations.
Here’s a snapshot:
- Marketing Manager:
Sydney – $122k
Melbourne – $102k
Brisbane – $97k
- Senior Marketing Manager:
Sydney – $148k
Melbourne – $140k
Brisbane – $122k
- Digital Marketing Coordinator:
Sydney – $71k
Melbourne – $70k
Brisbane – $82k
- SEO Specialist:
Sydney – $87k
Melbourne – $82k
Brisbane – $92k
(Go to the Salary Guide to see the full set of roles and locations)
Based on current job ads, SEEK reports that the average annual salary for Digital Marketing Manager jobs in Australia ranges from $90k to $130k.
Social media marketing salaries
Now let’s take a look at what you get paid in social media roles.
Social media marketing salaries vary from around $55k up to a whopping $220k. Most roles sit between $80k and $110k per year.
Based on current job ads, SEEK reports that the average annual salary for Social Media Manager jobs in Australia ranges from $70k to $100k.
According to the Hays report, you can start out at $68k in a Social Media Coordinator role in Sydney or $56k in Melbourne.
Moving up to a Social Media Executive role will earn you $85k in Sydney or $70k in Melbourne.
When you climb to Social Media Manager, expect to earn an average of $122k in Sydney or $112k in Melbourne.
How do agency salaries compare?
It’s no secret that working at a marketing agency doesn’t pay as highly as working in-house.
An entry-level Account Executive will earn around $55k, with salaries rising to $75k for an Account Manager and $110k for an Account Director.
However, do your research. Some agencies pay more than others and you can rise the ranks more quickly than you might in an in-house role. You simply need to compromise with a smaller salary when you start out in an agency.
Will marketing salaries go up in 2022?
The current jobs market is impacting the marketing industry. In April 2021, SEEK recorded their highest ever number of marketing and communications jobs for the second month running.
Linkedin recorded similar statistics with a 63% growth in marketing job ads since the beginning of 2021.
While we haven’t seen evidence just yet, the high demand for skilled marketers right now means candidates will have the upper hand in salary negotiations.
The bottom line? Know your worth.
Don’t forget the perks
Remember, it’s not all about the salary. Look at other benefits the company offers, such as discounted health insurance, gym membership, bonuses, and flexible working. Then consider this as part of the total salary package.
Final thoughts
We know it’s not all about the money, but salary will always play a part in your decision to transition to a new career. Do your research and understand how your salary will compare, then consider the salary potential as you grow your skills and experience. That’s where social media and digital marketing can really reward you.
If you’re ready to start your career in social media and digital marketing, we’ll show you how. As we explain in our article on the skills you need to work in social media marketing [link to article], the first step involves knowing your skills gaps and building your knowledge. To get started, check out our social media marketing courses.
