20 replies to this topic

[mountainbound]

Hey all
On a whim I wondered if there were any SEO positions available in my city (a midsized city in the NE) and found a few. Based on my 2 years experience in SEO, I had almost instant interviews, and was offered a job on the spot at the first interview. (This has NEVER happened before, and I was really unprepared to talk salary). I didn't take the job.

Next week I have a second interview at another company (a services-based small-to-mid sized .com that's 7 years old) and they were already probing me for salary expectations. They told me flat out that this is a new position and they aren't sure what to pay. I played the "negotiable" card but know that I'll need to give a number next week.

What is reasonable to ask for in the search engine marketing arena?

Thank you!
MB

[Betty]

I would check out salary.com and see what range they give.

[SanDiegoMedia]

There isn't enough history in the industry to find accurate salary charts. YOu need to figure out how much you could make on your own, and how much you want to make working for someone else. Come up with a number that you could live comfortably off of and ask for it.

I took a job making the most I have ever made in a salary, and 12 months later got my yearly raise, then found offers for more, and got another raise, then got offered even more, and got another raise (all within a month). In Southern California, 2 years experience SHOULD be making around 50k-60k (based on my previous positions and offers), depending on responsiblities. If you run the department, you would be looking at more.

[Michael Martinez]

Make sure you accept no less than you can afford to live on. If you cannot pay your bills, you don't need the job, unless you're willing to juggle bills for 2-3 years.

But definitely try to find some history in your region for similar jobs.

[BobetteKyle]

The Creative Group has a salary guide that lists salary ranges for various positions. I don't think SEO is in it (I haven't seen the full guide), but there are various Web positions listed, so you may be able to estimate a range. There's a number to call for a free copy here: www.creativegroup.com/TCG/SalaryGuide

[OldWelshGuy]

Think of what you would like to be earning then add 20%

[jehochman]

A. Get them to make the first offer. Say, "I'm flexible, what can you offer?" Then shut up and be patient.
B. They'll say a number.
C. Say, "Thank you, that's a fine offer, but given the responsibilities and my experience, I was hoping for X+20%." (X is the greater of what you need to live on, or their opening offer). SHUT UP again and be patient.
C. They'll probably improve their offer.
D. Say, "You're offering a benefits package too, right. What does that include?"
E. After you get all the pay and benefits you deserve say, "Yes," and be sure to get everything in writing.

When negotiating, silence is your ally. The more you chatter to fill the gaps in conversation, the less you'll get.

[arteworks]

OWG is exactly on target. Add 20% to what you could make on your own for the pain of having to work for someone else.

And I would think in SoCal 50-60K would be bare bones bottom of the barrel. I lived in san diego for three years and am familiar with the area. I'd say, two years experience and assuming you have some work to prove your skills, minimum 80K.

Also, since this is a new position, I would tell them that you fully expect to be in control of your projects and that you will not follow any "in house" procedures which you deem not in the best interest of the client. Of course, you'll be there at the scheduled times and stuff, but regarding actual work product and methodologies, you should demand that you make that call. Also be clear that some percentage of your time, say 10% just pulling a number out of my arse, or maybe an hour a day, will be spent doing research. Research includes participating in forums such as this one, reading articles, and the like. That way you have covered your arse if they see you "playing" on the net. It's not playing, it's professional development, and they should see it that way. SEO is constantly changing and to be effective it is *extremely* important you be kept abreast of recent developments. Forum participation and research each week is the only way to do it.

Also, ask about telecommuting, save on that expensive SoCal gas, and traffic headaches.

[arteworks]

I'm sorry, I see that you are in the NE. I misread the thread. I'd still say 60K would be bottom line. Use OWG's formula regardless. Everything else I said still applies (including telecommuting).

[WeBSeM]

I'm sorry, I see that you are in the NE.  I misread the thread.  I'd still say 60K would be bottom line.  Use OWG's formula regardless.  Everything else I said still applies (including telecommuting).

Hi everyone !

I am new to this forum ! I have been reading this forum for 6months and learning SEO for about 1year now.

It seems that SEO salaries in US are much higher then in Europe. SEM business is starting to grow here in Europe.

WebSeM

[Nueromancer]

A.  Get them to make the first offer.  Say, "I'm flexible, what can you offer?"  Then shut up and be patient. 
B.  They'll say a number.
C.  Say, "Thank you, that's a fine offer, but given the responsibilities and my experience, I was hoping for X+20%."  (X is the greater of what you need to live on, or their opening offer).  SHUT UP again and be patient.
C.  They'll probably improve their offer.
D.  Say, "You're offering a benefits package too, right.  What does that include?"
E.  After you get all the pay and benefits you deserve say, "Yes," and be sure to get everything in writing.

When negotiating, silence is your ally.  The more you chatter to fill the gaps in conversation, the less you'll get.

also don't forget that in Negotiation suituitions everyone overestimates the oppositions hand and under values yours

[mountainbound]

be clear that some percentage of your time, say 10% just pulling a number out of my arse, or maybe an hour a day, will be spent doing research.  Research includes participating in forums such as this one, reading articles, and the like. 

Thanks everyone, for the advice. I agree firmly that time needs to be set aside for research when it comes to keeping up on the business. If it wasn't for time spent researching, I wouldn't be doing SEO at all.

[neo]

Interesting topic. Question, I've done SEO work for about 2 years. I don't do any coding though. I do web analytics, reporting, and analysis primarily. Are most SEOs expected to do their own coding? Does this change the salary range for an SEO?

[SanDiegoMedia]

60k for an experienced SEO that isn't running a team is not bottom ofthe barrel in San Diego. At some of the SEO firms located here in town, you'll be lucky to make $20 an hour with experience. There are a lot of top SEO Firms in the area, and they all pay the same. Ad agencies pay better, and the work load it lighter, but you'll never have full control over projects. Clients always have control, and you do what your allowed to do, it is a services business after all.

[EcoSea]

When you say two years experience is this getting paid by someone or just two yrs experience? I have been doing this for my website(s) for 4 years now. I consider reading Jill and Danny as a required part of the job as well as scanning other stuff like Perry.

If I had a certificate from Google and WebCEO saying that I know the stuff do you think that I would be considered for a PRO SEO job? I used to be a Telecom sales dude during the dotbomb.

Waterlogged in Cambodia!