SEO vs Social Media vs PPC: Which Career Pays More?
SEO. Social Media. PPC – the three extremely valuable digital marketing strategies. While SEO is less expensive and drives more powerful results, PPC is perfect for driving results quickly and gives you more control over the outcome. Social media, on the other hand, is perfect for creating and promoting content across different platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, among others.
With each of them having its own thrills, challenges and more importantly, different salaries, you might be wondering – which career will pay me more? Well, you are at the right place. This blog will cover SEO, Social Media and PPC, their differences, definitions, salaries prospects, growth trends to help you decide which career would be the right fit for you.
What’s The Difference?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing websites to rank higher on search engines like Google, Bing, Microsoft Edge and Safari. SEO is about bringing in organic clients to your website. From keyword research and improving the non-performing pages to backlinking – everything comes under an SEO expert.
Social Media is a platform for businesses and individuals to create and manage content across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X. Promoting content on social media is about brand building, increasing engagement and even driving direct sales through organic and paid promotions.
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Pay-per Click (PPC) allows you to see advertisements in the sponsored results section. Your rankings with PPC are determined by how much you bid on keywords, ads quality and the landing pages that the ads point to.
Read Also: Google Ads vs. Meta Ads: Which Is Better for Beginners?
Which Career Pays You More?
Here is the golden answer that you have been looking for. Which one pays you more? As of 2024, here are the latest numbers.
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| Career Prospects | Average Salary (INR) |
| SEO Specialist | ₹3.5 LPA – ₹7 LPA |
| Social Media Manager | ₹3 LPA – ₹6.5 LPA |
| PPC Specialist | ₹4 LPA – ₹8.5 LPA |
From the data, it is obvious that the PPC specialist won the race. PPC professionals generally take the lead when it comes to salaries because businesses are willing to pay experts who can help drive profitable results to boost client engagement. Every click matters.
Read Also: 7 Creative Careers That Are Exploding Right Now
Why PPC Pays the Most?
Pay-per Click campaigns can instantly generate leads and sales. Also, businesses are now eager to invest in experts who can help the business drive profitable results. Today, there is a need for a proficient PPC manager who can consistently deliver higher ROAS. Since the number is low, naturally, they command higher salaries.
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What Happens to Social Media and SEO?
Now that we know PPC is the highest paying job, does that mean SEO and Social Media jobs are worthless? Absolutely not, SEO might not start off instantly like PPC, but it builds sustainable and long-term value for brands.
SEO managers are in demand across corporate and consulting sectors. An SEO manager has to be proficient in technical SEO, backlinks and optimization for better engagement with the online audience. On an average, around 10% of SEO managers in India can earn between ₹12 LPA to ₹18 LPA.
Read Also: What is Programmatic Advertising? Automated Ads Explained
On the other hand, social media is booming. With so much audience scrolling on social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X, businesses continue to invest in influencer marketing, UGC campaigns and paid social ads.
Proficient Social Media Managers and Content Creators can typically earn between ₹7 LPA to ₹15 LPA depending on their user content quality, organic audience engagement and popularity on social media. It is also expected that this figure might grow by 10% by 2026.
Skills That You Should Master
Whichever career you choose – your skills will determine how much you earn. Let us break down the skill set you require to master SEO, Social Media and PPC.
SEO requires versatility. For a SEO expert, you need to be proficient in technical skills, HTML and architecture. Moreover, you will also need to learn about content planning skills, keyword research and proficiency in algorithms.
PPC, on the other hand, demands mastery on Google Ads, Meta Ads and LinkedIn Ads. Moreover, a PPC specialist should also be proficient in Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), budget management and bidding strategy.
For a social media specialist, you need a knack for creating UGC content, short form videos (they are in high demand), paid social media advertising and proficiency in analytics for measuring engagement, reach and conversion.
Read Also: What is Influencer Advertising? Trends, Platforms & Campaign Ideas
There you have it, all the important skills that you should master in order to be a PRO in digital marketing. If you are looking for the best digital marketing course, AAFT School of Digital Marketing is your place. Our collaboration with ArtE Mediatech – a digital marketing firm and advertising agency, ushers students into the realm of marketing excellence.
Which Career Should You Choose?
Now that you have learnt about PPC, Social Media and SEO in detail, choosing the right fit for you should not be that difficult. If you love analytics, testing ads, PPC is the right fit for you. On the other hand, if you love writing, technical work and long-term growth strategies, SEO should be your choice. Love creativity, entertaining people and delivering UGC content, a rewarding career in social media can be both fun and financially rewarding.
Conclusion
Digital marketing is booming creating ample opportunities for aspirants looking for a career besides a 9 to 5 job. Be it SEO, PPC, or Social Media, constant learning and upskilling can help you stay ahead of the market curve.
In a nutshell – all you have to do is pick a field that you want to master, learn the nitty-gritty and the money will follow. At AAFT School of Digital Marketing, we invite you to join as we reveal the importance of communication in marketing. Here, students will get hands-on experience by working on live PPC campaigns and conducting SEO research. We have industry-relevant software for Digital Marketing such as Google Analytics, Adword Editor, HubSpot, Semrush, GetResponse and Ahrefs.
Meha Yadav is a skilled content writer with 4 years of experience, specializing in creating impactful content across various niches including journalism, fashion, hospitality, data science and more. Her expertise lies in crafting stories that engage readers and drive results, making her an invaluable asset in the world of digital communication.
