What is a Search Marketing Strategist?

Occupation Description Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.

Life As a Search Marketing Strategist

• Coordinate sales or other promotional strategies with merchandising, operations, or inventory control staff to ensure product catalogs are current, accurate, and organized for best findability against user intent.
• Assist in setting up or optimizing analytics tools for tracking visitors’ behaviors.
• Develop transactional Web applications, using Web programming software and knowledge of programming languages, such as hypertext markup language (HTML) and extensible markup language (XML).
• Collaborate with other marketing staff to integrate and complement marketing strategies across multiple sales channels.
• Optimize Web site exposure by analyzing search engine patterns to direct online placement of keywords or other content.
• Conduct online marketing initiatives, such as paid ad placement, affiliate programs, sponsorship programs, email promotions, or viral marketing campaigns on social media Web sites.

Skills Needed to be a Search Marketing Strategist

These are the skills Search Marketing Strategists say are the most useful in their careers:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Types of Search Marketing Strategist Jobs

• Search Strategist
• Internet E-commerce Specialist
• Director of Audience Generation, Search, & Analytics
• Digital Strategist
• Director, Search Marketing Strategies

Search Marketing Strategist Employment Estimates

There were about 287,200 jobs for Search Marketing Strategist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 26,600 new jobs for Search Marketing Strategist by 2026. There will be an estimated 22,400 positions for Search Marketing Strategist per year.

The states with the most job growth for Search Marketing Strategist are Washington, Utah, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maryland, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Search Marketing Strategist Make?

The typical yearly salary for Search Marketing Strategists is somewhere between $47,350 and $144,820.

Search Marketing Strategists who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Search Marketing Strategists in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$87,060
Alaska	$98,830
Arizona	$85,010
Arkansas	$73,670
California	$103,270
Colorado	$102,470
Connecticut	$100,340
District of Columbia	$117,540
Florida	$78,900
Georgia	$90,140
Hawaii	$89,960
Idaho	$80,610
Indiana	$79,310
Iowa	$78,810
Kansas	$79,300
Kentucky	$79,420
Louisiana	$66,600
Maine	$79,790
Maryland	$113,330
Massachusetts	$92,110
Michigan	$76,400
Minnesota	$81,650
Mississippi	$81,280
Missouri	$82,610
Montana	$68,430
Nebraska	$86,230
Nevada	$72,610
New Hampshire	$112,440
New Jersey	$99,210
New Mexico	$79,540
New York	$90,750
North Carolina	$88,650
North Dakota	$70,730
Ohio	$82,440
Oklahoma	$78,490
Oregon	$79,610
Pennsylvania	$87,040
Rhode Island	$81,290
South Carolina	$92,100
South Dakota	$81,250
Tennessee	$74,000
Texas	$90,290
Utah	$76,890
Vermont	$72,220
Virginia	$105,270
Washington	$91,620
West Virginia	$83,660
Wisconsin	$74,600
Wyoming	$75,780

What Tools do Search Marketing Strategists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Search Marketing Strategists:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Hypertext markup language HTML
• JavaScript
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Web browser software
• Microsoft Access
• MySQL
• Email software
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Visio
• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• Structured query language SQL
• Microsoft Dynamics
• Facebook
• Microsoft SQL Server
• PHP: Hypertext preprocessor
• Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver

How do I Become a Search Marketing Strategist?

What education or degrees do I need to become a Search Marketing Strategist?

What work experience do I need to become a Search Marketing Strategist?

Where Search Marketing Strategists Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Negative Space via CC0 License

More about our data sources and methodologies.