Recruitment firms Robert Half Technology and The Creative Group
have released 2013 Salary Guides this month that identify SEO/SEM
specialists and social media specialists as two of the hottest
technology jobs for 2013.
Both positions offer strong starting salaries in both the U.S. and
Canada, with income ranges that have increased in the past 12 months due
to continual high demand for experienced candidates.
According to The Creative Group, the growth of online, mobile and
social media content has created strong demand for professionals with a
range of interactive skills, including user experience designers, mobile
developers and online community managers. Marketing professionals with
experience using social media measurement and client relationship
management tools, for example, are highly sought after.
Consumers’ appetite for targeted, up-to-date and easy-to-digest news,
information and entertainment seems to grow every day. Organizations
need professionals who can create, curate, manage, distribute and
optimize content using a variety of channels, including social media.
Demand is particularly high for copywriters, proofreaders and content
managers with Web expertise.
However, companies can’t seem to fill these new interactive positions, due to a shortage of available skilled talent.
“Companies seek individuals who can help with key growth initiatives,
such as improving the firm’s Web and social media presence, gathering
and analyzing business data, and optimizing a customer’s online
experience,” said Lara Dodo, regional vice president of Robert Half
Technology and The Creative Group.
“Many of these positions are quite challenging for employers to fill –
and in some cases, the supply of qualified professionals is lower than
the demand.”
Job seekers with the right combination of skills can write their own
ticket, according to The Creative Group: “A growing number of
individuals with in-demand skills, including those just starting their
careers, are receiving multiple employment offers. In addition to
offering competitive salaries and perks such as flexible hours, managers
need to move the hiring process along more quickly to secure and retain
these professionals. ‘Hybrid’ candidates – those with creative and
technical skills – continue to be among the most desirable to
employers.”
Below are descriptions for six of the hot technology and creative
jobs identified for 2013, along with their anticipated average USD
starting salaries:
1. SEO/SEM specialist – These individuals are responsible for
formalizing search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing
(SEM) strategies and tactics. Typical duties include analyzing website
traffic and providing strategies for improvement; developing SEO website
assessments and recommendations and translating them into technical
requirements; and providing SEO guidance in technical areas such as
server infrastructure, website structure and page construction. In-depth
knowledge of SEO and online media advertising is generally required.
SEO/SEM specialists in the U.S. with three or more years of experience
can anticipate average starting salaries ranging from $67,750 to
$91,000, while those with one to three years experience can expect to
receive somewhere in the range of $48,250 to $64,000.
2. Social media specialist – Responsible for defining and
executing a specific social media strategy, as well as cultivating and
managing branded online communities on the company’s behalf. Excellent
writing and editing skills for multiple media channels are required, as
is a strong customer service mindset. Social media specialists in the
U.S. can expect average starting salaries ranging from $51,250 to
$70,500.
3. Mobile applications developer – As companies
strive to reach consumers on Smartphones, tablets and other mobile
devices, they need professionals who can develop for the small screen.
Average starting salaries for mobile applications developers in the U.S.
are expected to range from $92,750 to $133,500, representing an
increase of 5.3 percent over 2012 rates.
4. Web designer – Create concepts, artwork and
layouts for Internet and intranet sites and other online projects based
on creative briefs and client meetings. Must be familiar with Web
protocols and markup languages and have a strong understanding of Web
design issues, including browser usability and cross-platform
compatibility. Requires design and trouble-shooting skills, as well as
an eye for detail. Those with five or more years of experience should
see base compensation ranging from $75,000 to $120,000. Designers with
one to five years experience should receive a base salary ranging from
$52,750 to $76,500,
5. Web content writer – Writes clear and compelling
online content that is optimized for the Web, including articles,
product descriptions, promotional copy, e-newsletters and blogs. Edits
and re-purposes existing print copy for the Web, and plans and crafts
e-mail marketing campaigns. Requires strong writing and editing skills,
as well as experience with markup languages and search engine
optimization. Web content writers with five or more years experience can
expect a salary range of between $60,500 and $90,750, while those with
less than five years experience should receive something in the range of
$45,250 and $66,250.
6. User experience (UX)/usability specialist – Since
so much customer interaction happens online, companies are looking for
workers who can create positive digital experiences for their online
audience. The UX/usability specialist designs, develops and champions
creative and compelling user interfaces for Web or application
architecture that enhance adoption by making it simple to use. The
UX/usability expert investigates requirements, analyzes and diagrams
user profiles and work-flows, develops a UI paradigm, and offers highly
usable interface solutions. These specialists must have a passion for
user-centric design and be a strong communicator. UX/usability
specialists in the U.S. can expect starting salaries between $76,000 and
$110,000.
Salary ranges in California, Washington DC, Massachusetts, New York
and New Jersey can vary up to 33 percent higher than those quoted here.
It’s not just salary levels improving for tech staff either.
Eighty-four percent of advertising professionals surveyed by The
Creative Group said they expect the number of creative team members who
work remotely to increase in the next few years. With interactive talent
hard to find, more employers are sweetening the deal by allowing staff
to telecommute, provided they can get the job done.
More and more companies are bringing in freelancers to access
specialized skills and offer relief to core staff during peak work
periods. They’re finding it’s also an effective way to determine whether
a candidate is a good fit for a full-time role.
If you are thinking about retraining and/or applying for a job in
technology in 2013, this is encouraging news. Given the diversity of
roles available and the shortage of trained candidates, persons taking
college courses, online training or internships to acquire these
in-demand skills should be rewarded with plenty of job opportunities and
good income levels for at least the next two years.
All salaries listed are U.S. national averages based on data published in the 2013 Salary Guides from Robert Half Technology and The Creative Group. Actual salary ranges may vary depending on location.
Article by Kalena Jordan,
Post from: SiteProNews
SEO and Social Media Specialists Identified as Hot Tech Jobs for 2013
