Social Media Manager Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$64,000
national median salary
$48,000 to $84,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$91,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$67,000
Los Angeles, CA
Lowest Paying
$50,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Social Media Manager salary in the United States is $64,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $48,000 at the 25th percentile to $84,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $91,000, while Los Angeles offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Paid social advertising expertise, analytics proficiency, and experience managing large community platforms create the biggest salary differences.
Social Media Manager salary by city
What you should know
Paid social advertising expertise, analytics proficiency, and experience managing large community platforms create the biggest salary differences. Managers at B2B SaaS companies or direct-to-consumer brands with measurable revenue attribution earn more than those in general brand awareness roles.
Junior Social Media Coordinators start at $48,000 to $55,000. Mid-level managers owning full channel strategy earn $60,000 to $74,000. Senior Social Media Managers and Directors of Social reach $78,000 to $100,000, with VP-level roles at major brands exceeding $120,000.
Performance bonuses tied to follower growth or engagement metrics add 5 to 15% at results-driven companies. Some roles include content creation budgets and conference attendance. Remote work is standard in this field.