How much do social media managers earn? A comprehensive guide to social media manager salaries in the UK

As social media continues to dominate the digital landscape, more and more businesses are turning to social media managers to help them build their online presence. But how much do these professionals really earn? In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide to social media manager salaries in the UK, including factors that can impact pay and average salary ranges in different industries and regions.

Factors that can impact social media manager salaries

Before we dive into salary ranges, it's important to understand that there are a number of factors that can impact social media manager pay. These include:

1. Industry: Social media managers may work in a variety of industries, each with their own pay scales. For example, social media managers in the healthcare industry may earn different salaries than those in the retail or hospitality sectors.

2. Company size: The size of the company can also play a role in social media manager pay. Larger companies may have larger budgets for marketing and social media, which can translate to higher salaries for social media managers.

3. Experience: As with any profession, experience can impact social media manager salaries. Those with more years of experience in the field may command higher salaries than those just starting out.

4. Location: Finally, geographic location can also impact social media manager pay. Salaries in London, for example, may be higher than those in other parts of the UK due to the higher cost of living.

Average social media manager salaries in the UK

According to data from Payscale, the average social media manager salary in the UK is £30,853 per year. However, this figure can vary widely depending on the factors listed above. Let's take a closer look at average salaries in different industries and regions:

Social media manager salaries by industry

• Marketing and advertising: £29,524 per year
• Media and publishing: £31,287 per year
• Non-profit and charity: £26,427 per year
• Healthcare: £29,038 per year
• Retail: £27,358 per year
• Hospitality and tourism: £24,923 per year

Social media manager salaries by region

• London: £35,677 per year
• Manchester: £28,805 per year
• Birmingham: £27,620 per year
• Bristol: £28,575 per year
• Glasgow: £26,303 per year
• Cardiff: £27,648 per year

As you can see, salaries can vary significantly depending on industry and location. However, it's worth noting that these figures are just averages, and social media manager salaries can vary widely even within the same industry and region.

How to increase your social media manager salary

If you're a social media manager looking to increase your earning potential, there are a few steps you can take:

1. Gain more experience: As mentioned earlier, experience can be a key factor in social media manager salaries. The more experience you have, the more you may be able to command in terms of pay.

2. Develop your skills: Social media is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques. This can help you stand out as a skilled social media manager and potentially command higher salaries.

3. Specialise: Some social media managers may choose to specialise in a particular area, such as paid advertising or content creation. Specialising in a high-demand area can make you a more valuable asset to your employer and potentially increase your earning potential.

4. Negotiate your salary: Finally, don't be afraid to negotiate your salary when starting a new job or during annual performance reviews.