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  1. Home/
  2. Salaries/
  3. Head of SEO/
  4. Charleston

Head of SEO.

Charleston.

$143,000

median salary, 21% below the national average

$111,000 to $186,000. Last updated April 2026.

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Data points to own the conversation.

If you are evaluating a Head of SEO offer in Charleston, WV, here is the reality: $111,000 to $186,000, with $143,000 as the midpoint. 21% below the national average. Do not accept the first number.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$111,000

per year

Median

$143,000

per year

75th Percentile

$186,000

per year

Where do you fall?

$111,000$186,000

Salary by experience

The gap between entry and lead level is typically $129,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$93,000

to $114,000

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$122,000

to $150,000

Senior (6-9 yrs)

$157,000

to $186,000

Lead (10+ yrs)

$179,000

to $222,000

Salary trend

+5% YoY
$118,000
2022
$124,000
2023
$130,000
2024
$136,000
2025
$143,000
2026

Total compensation

Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $36,000 to the total package.

Base

$143,000

Equity

$20,000

Bonus

$13,000

Signing

$3,000

Estimated total: $179,000

How Charleston compares

Charleston, WV

$143,000

Cost of living: 22% below average

National Average

$180,000

Charleston is $37,000 below

Head of SEO salary by city

Head of SEO salary comparison across 10 cities
CityMedianRangeCOLAdjusted
San Jose, CA$253,000$197,000 – $329,0001.38x$183,000
San Francisco, CA$248,000$193,000 – $322,0001.35x$184,000
Honolulu, HI$239,000$186,000 – $310,0001.30x$184,000
New York, NY$237,000$185,000 – $309,0001.28x$185,000
Washington DC, DC$234,000$182,000 – $304,0001.25x$187,000
Seattle, WA$225,000$175,000 – $293,0001.24x$181,000
Arlington, VA$222,000$173,000 – $288,0001.22x$182,000
Los Angeles, CA$221,000$172,000 – $287,0001.18x$187,000
Newark, NJ$219,000$170,000 – $284,0001.18x$186,000
Charleston, WV$143,000$111,000 – $186,0000.78x$183,000

See all 81 cities for Head of SEO →

Salary by role in Charleston

Salary comparison by role in Charleston
RoleMedianRange
Technical Fellow$276,000$215,000 – $358,000
Senior VP of Security$270,000$211,000 – $351,000
Senior VP of Product$270,000$211,000 – $351,000
Head of SEO$143,000$111,000 – $186,000
AI Safety Engineer$143,000$108,000 – $185,000
Senior Data Scientist (AI-Specialized)$143,000$108,000 – $185,000
AI Performance Engineer$143,000$108,000 – $187,000
AI Threat Modeler$143,000$107,000 – $187,000

What you should know

Charleston is West Virginia's capital and largest city, with an economy driven by government, energy, healthcare, and chemical manufacturing. The city offers some of the lowest living costs in the nation. Federal and state government roles provide stable employment anchors. That is the backdrop for every Head of SEO offer you will see here.

One thing people overlook: taxes. West Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.12%. Charleston has no city income tax. The very low cost of living means even moderate salaries deliver strong purchasing power. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.

On negotiation: Benchmark against federal government pay scales. Charleston employers often align with GS grades, and understanding the federal pay system gives you negotiating leverage. The range for Head of SEOs in Charleston runs from $111,000 to $186,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology

Interactive

Is your offer competitive?

Enter your Head of SEO offer to see where you stand in Charleston.

$

25th

$111,000

Median

$143,000

75th

$186,000

Considering a related role?

  • A Computer Vision Engineer in Charleston earns $142,000 (1% less)
  • The highest-paying role in Charleston is Technical Fellow at $276,000

Common questions.

Entry level Head of SEO positions in Charleston typically start near $111,000. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate closer to the median of $143,000.

In Charleston, large enterprises typically pay Head of SEOs 10 to 20% more in base salary than small companies, but startups often compensate with equity that can exceed base salary value. Total compensation at top companies often doubles the base through equity and bonuses. The $111,000 to $186,000 range reflects this entire spectrum.

Experience level, specialization depth, and industry domain are the primary Head of SEO salary drivers. In Charleston, these factors can push compensation from the 25th percentile of $111,000 to the 75th percentile of $186,000 or beyond.

Total compensation for Head of SEOs typically exceeds base salary by 20 to 40% when factoring in bonuses, equity, and benefits. In Charleston's market, the base range of $111,000 to $186,000 is just the starting point for negotiation.

Charleston is West Virginia's capital and largest city, with an economy driven by government, energy, healthcare, and chemical manufacturing. The city offers some of the lowest living costs in the nation. For Head of SEOs specifically, the breadth of hiring across sectors signals sustained demand. The current compensation range of $111,000 to $186,000 reflects a market that is competing for talent.

Compare the offer against the Charleston range: $111,000 (25th percentile) to $186,000 (75th percentile). An offer near $143,000 is market rate. Below $111,000 warrants a conversation unless equity or unusual benefits close the gap. Benchmark against federal government pay scales. Charleston employers often align with GS grades, and understanding the federal pay system gives you negotiating leverage.

Head of SEO salary in other cities

Virginia Beach$180,000
Washington DC$234,000
Wilmington$176,000
Wichita$151,000
Austin$180,000
Atlanta$176,000

Other salaries in Charleston

Chief AI Officer$251,000
Chief Human Resources Officer$197,000
Chief Operating Officer$201,000
Chief Product Officer$202,000

Related

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Cite this data

Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.

"Head of SEO Salary in Charleston, WV." Orbyt Salary Explorer, April 2026. https://www.orbytjobs.ai/salaries/head-of-seo/charleston-wv

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