Search engine optimisation expert
Also known as: search engine optimisation specialist, SEO specialist, search engine marketing specialist, search engine optimisation consultant, SEO expert, growth hacker
About this occupation
Search engine optimisation experts increase the ranking of a company's web pages with regard to target queries in a search engine. They create and launch SEO campaigns and identify areas of improvement. Search engine optimisation experts may conduct pay per click (PPC) campaigns.
Essential skills and knowledge
- use customer relationship management software
- manage content development projects
- sales strategies
- content marketing strategy
- enhance website visibility
- integrate content into output media
- social media marketing techniques
- conduct search engine optimisation
- provide written content
- apply social media marketing
- keywords in digital content
- perform online data analysis
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Search Marketing Strategists (O*NET 13-1161.01). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Manage tracking and reporting of search-related activities and provide analyses to marketing executives.
- Optimize digital assets, such as text, graphics, or multimedia assets, for search engine optimization (SEO) or for display and usability on internet-connected devices.
- Collect and analyze Web metrics, such as visits, time on site, page views per visit, transaction volume and revenue, traffic mix, click-through rates, conversion rates, cost per acquisition, or cost per click.
- Participate in the development or implementation of online marketing strategy.
- Optimize Web site exposure by analyzing search engine patterns to direct online placement of keywords or other content.
- Coordinate with developers to optimize Web site architecture, server configuration, or page construction for search engine consumption and optimal visibility.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Judgment and Decision Making
US median pay: US$78,760 a year (2025), 899,580 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.3)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (3.9)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.5)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Web and Digital Interface Designers
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Marketing Managers
- Advertising and Promotions Managers
- Web Administrators
- Web Developers
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Advertising Sales Agents
- Data Scientists
- Software Developers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.