As a consultant who assists small and medium businesses with their digital presence, I often get asked about careers in social media. My clients, many of whom are entrepreneurs or solopreneurs managing their own social accounts, are curious to learn what options exist to turn their passion into a profession.
The good news I share is that demand for social media experts shows no signs of slowing down. By 2029, jobs in social media are projected to grow over 10% according to recent data.
Whether you‘re analytical, creative, a great communicator or all of the above, the diverse range of social media jobs means there‘s likely one that matches your skills and interests.
In this article, we‘ll explore 19 of the most popular and promising social media jobs for 2024 and beyond.
The Big 3 Social Media Roles
For those looking to dive deep into social strategy and community building, three key roles provide that opportunity:
1. Social Media Manager
The Social Media Manager is the brand‘s voice across all social channels. Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing social strategies
- Creating, curating and publishing daily content
- Monitoring conversations and responding to audience questions/concerns
- Analyzing performance data and providing optimization recommendations
Median Salary: $54,650 [Source: PayScale]
Essential Skills:
- Superb written and verbal communication
- Creativity and analytical thinking
- Time management and multitasking
- Expert knowledge of major platforms 2. Social Media Analyst
Social Media Analysts focus on crunching numbers and translating data into insights. Their key tasks involve:
- Tracking and reporting on social KPIs
- Identifying trends, opportunities and performance gaps
- Making data-backed recommendations on content, engagement and spend
Median Salary: $63,500 [Source: ZipRecruiter]
Essential Skills:
- Excel, SQL and analytics tools
- Statistical analysis and modeling
- Data visualization (charts, graphs)
- Critical thinking and attention to detail3. Community Manager
Community Managers build relationships between brands and their audiences. Their responsibilities include:
- Monitoring discussions across community channels
- Responding promptly to questions, concerns and feedback
- Promoting positive interactions and managing conflicts
- Informing marketing and product decisions based on community needs
Median Salary: $55,117 [Source: Indeed]
Essential Skills:
- Patient, empathetic and level-headed
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Ability to explain complex topics simply and clearly
- Conflict resolutionWhile the foundation is similar across these three critical functions, day-to-day duties and essential abilities differ significantly. Make sure to evaluate your own strengths and passions before deciding on a focus area.
Specialized Social Media Jobs
Beyond the big three roles highlighted above, a growing number of specialized social media jobs leverage transferable skills while letting you apply your unique interests or experiences:
Social Media Designer/Animator
Median Salary: $59,824 [Source: ZipRecruiter]
Bring brands aesthetically to life by creating visually appealing graphics, animation and video content tailored to reinforce messaging on social platforms.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist
Median Salary: $62,500 [Source: ZipRecruiter]
Boost brand discoverability by optimizing website content and metadata to drive organic traffic from search engines.
Social Advertising Specialist
Median Salary: $66,297 [Source: Indeed]
Get hands-on experience running and optimizing paid ad campaigns across every major social network.
Influencer Marketing Specialist
Median Salary: $65,698 [Source: ZipRecruiter]
Strategically identify and activate partnerships with influencers to expand brand awareness and credibility.
Social Media Public Relations Specialist
Median Salary: $61,808 [Source: ZipRecruiter]
Manage press communications and brand reputation by building strategic relationships with media outlets and journalists.
And over a dozen more in demand roles to match diverse talents and interests…
Additional Growing Social Media Jobs
- Social Media Recruiter
- Social Customer Care Representative
- User Experience (UX) Researcher
- Social Media Sales Representative
- Social Media Event Coordinator
- Social Ecommerce Manager
- Travel Social Media Manager
- Social Media Editorial Lead
- Social Listening Specialist
Choosing Your Path
When evaluating social media jobs, ask yourself the following questions:
Do you enjoy
- Communicating or conversing with others? ⇾ Community Facing
- Analyzing data and finding patterns? ⇾ Analytics
- Creating visuals and writing stories? ⇾ Content Production
Do you want to
- Manage projects, people and brands ? ⇾ Leadership & Strategy
- Execute tactically day-to-day? ⇾ Specialist
Are you more
- Introverted or extroverted?
- Creative or analytical?
- A generalist or a specialist?
Once you have an understanding of your own aptitudes and interests, matching them to the right social media job becomes much easier!
Turning Passion into a Profession
The world of social media offers something for just about everyone, whether you geek out over geeky stats or dream up innovative campaigns.
By identifying and developing niche skills that set you apart, the possibilities are truly endless in this fast-paced, always evolving industry.
