How to become a Search Marketing Strategist

Official title: Search Marketing Strategists

Also called: Digital Marketing Strategist, Digital Media Planner, Internet Marketing Specialist, Marketing Consultant, Online Marketing Consultant, Paid Search Consultant, Paid Search Strategist, Search Engine Optimization Consultant (SEO Consultant), SEO Strategist (Search Engine Optimization Strategist), Social Media Specialist

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.

Main tasks

• 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.
• Assist in setting up or optimizing analytics tools for tracking visitors' behaviors.
• Identify appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and report key metrics from digital campaigns.

How to become one

Market research analysts typically need a bachelor's degree. Some employers require or prefer that job candidates have a master's degree.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Digital Marketer.
• College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $78,760 a year The middle half earn $58,350 to $108,310.
• About 952,700 people work in this job now, and about 1,019,000 are projected by 2035. (+7%)
• People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Search Marketing Strategist?

Market research analysts typically need a bachelor's degree. Some employers require or prefer that job candidates have a master's degree.

How much does a Search Marketing Strategist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $78,760 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $58,350 to $108,310.

Is a Search Marketing Strategist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 952,700 to about 1,019,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Search Marketing Strategist?

Usually. 81% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Search Marketing Strategist?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

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.