Home > Salary > South Africa > Search Engine Marketing Specialist
A search engine marketing specialist is responsible for optimizing websites and online advertisements to improve their visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). They employ various strategies such as keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and paid advertising to increase website traffic and generate leads or sales. The specialist analyzes data and metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement, and continuously monitors and adjusts campaigns to maximize performance. They stay updated with industry trends and algorithm changes to ensure adherence to best practices and deliver optimal results.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 174,218 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 14,518 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,350 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 84 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 14,042 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,240 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 81 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-09
Estimated Yearly Salary: 8,694 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 725 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 167 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 4 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 174,218 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 14,518 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,350 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 84 ZAR per hour
By working as Search Engine Marketing Specialist a person can save up to 453 USD per month or 5,440 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Search Engine Marketing Specialist
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Search Engine Marketing Specialist salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Search Engine Marketing Specialist in South Africa is approximately 174,218 ZAR (8,694 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Search Engine Marketing Specialist do?

Skills: Search engine marketing, SEM specialist, SEO expert, Online advertising, Digital marketing, Keyword optimization
Job industry: Advertising
Job industry: Advertising
How much does Search Engine Marketing Specialist make?
Salary details
How much does Search Engine Marketing Specialist make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 174,218 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 14,518 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,350 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 84 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 168,500 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 14,042 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,240 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 81 ZAR per hour
Search Engine Marketing Specialist estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 8,694 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 725 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 167 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 4 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Search Engine Marketing Specialist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Search Engine Marketing Specialist in South Africa earns on average:
1.37 times the average salary (or 137% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Search Engine Marketing Specialist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Search Engine Marketing Specialist in South Africa earns on average:
1.37 times the average salary (or 137% of average salary).
Is Search Engine Marketing Specialist a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Search Engine Marketing Specialist is a well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Search Engine Marketing Specialist?
High salary for Search Engine Marketing Specialist would be somewhere between 191,640 ZAR and 252,616 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Search Engine Marketing Specialist in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 174,218 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 14,518 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,350 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 84 ZAR per hour
By working as Search Engine Marketing Specialist a person can save up to 453 USD per month or 5,440 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Search Engine Marketing Specialist
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
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Random salary:
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Telesales agent (71,927 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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