SEO Salaries in the UK: What You Can Earn in 2025
If you’ve ever wondered “how much do SEO professionals actually make in the UK?”, you’re not alone. Whether you’re fine-tuning title tags or steering the digital strategy of a global brand, knowing what the market’s paying is key to planning your next move.
At Happy Sunday, we live and breathe marketing recruitment, so we’ve pulled together the latest UK SEO salary insights for 2025. Grab a brew, and let’s break it down.
💡 First Things First: What Impacts SEO Salaries?
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) covers a lot of ground from technical audits and keyword research to content strategy, link building, analytics, and CRO. So naturally, pay varies depending on things like:
-
Experience (how long you’ve been in the game)
-
Specialism (technical SEO vs content SEO vs digital strategy)
-
Location (London still pays the highest, but remote is levelling the field)
-
Agency vs client-side (yep, it matters)
-
Performance and results (ranking in position one for “SEO salary UK” definitely earns bragging rights)
🎯 SEO Salary Breakdown by Level
Let’s get into the numbers. These ranges are based on current 2025 UK market data, job listings, and real placements we’ve seen here at Happy Sunday.
🐣 Entry-Level / Junior SEO Executive
Salary: £22,000 – £28,000
Perfect for those just starting out maybe with an internship, some Google Analytics know-how, and a passion for search. Juniors often cut their teeth in agencies, learning the ropes across multiple clients. Expect fast learning curves and lots of coffee.
⚙️ Mid-Level SEO Specialist / Manager
Salary: £30,000 – £45,000
You’ve got a few years under your belt and can run campaigns end-to-end. You’re confident with analytics, strategy, and talking results. Mid-level SEOs are in high demand right now, especially those who can blend technical and content skills.
🚀 Senior SEO Manager / SEO Lead
Salary: £45,000 – £65,000
You’re managing teams, budgets, and strategies. You’re the one presenting the big picture from site migrations to organic growth forecasts. Senior SEOs often have solid stakeholder management experience and a track record of results that speak for themselves.
🧠 Head of SEO / SEO Director
Salary: £65,000 – £100,000+
At this level, you’re shaping long-term SEO strategy and influencing board-level decisions. Roles often include managing cross-channel performance, overseeing multiple teams, and driving innovation. Larger brands and leading agencies are competing fiercely for talent at this level especially those with proven eCommerce or enterprise experience.
🏢 Agency vs Client-Side SEO Salaries
Here’s where things get interesting.
Agency life
Agencies usually offer:
-
Broader experience (different clients, sectors, tools)
-
Fast-paced environments
-
Quick progression you can climb fast if you perform well
However, salaries tend to start slightly lower. The average SEO Manager agency-side might earn £35k–£45k, compared to £40k–£55k client-side.
The trade-off? You’ll build variety and speed up your learning curve massively which pays off long term.
Client-side
In-house SEO roles often mean:
-
More strategic depth with one brand
-
Slightly higher base pay
-
Better benefits and work-life balance
That said, client-side can be slower to progress, and you might miss that agency buzz. It’s all about what motivates you.
🌍 Location Matters (But Not as Much as It Used To)
London still leads the way with SEO salaries there can be 10–20% higher than elsewhere in the UK. But thanks to remote and hybrid working, regional professionals in places like Manchester, Bristol, and Leeds are catching up fast.
Many SEO pros are now securing London-level pay without the commute. Not bad, right?
💬 Final Thoughts from Happy Sunday
SEO is a field that rewards curiosity, creativity, and persistence. Whether you’re just starting out or leading a team, your skills are in demand and that demand is only growing.
If you’re curious what your next move could look like, or you’d just like a friendly chat about salaries, we’re here to help.
