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Design Intentionally
Build roles that scale with your profitability.
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Finally: Real Numbers
We’ve used this data to help agencies hire with precision, retain top performers, and protect profitability.
Now... it’s yours, so you’re not left asking the same questions your competitors still are:
- “Why does this role suddenly cost so much?”
- “Why can’t we retain senior SEOs anymore?”
- “Why do our margins tighten every time we hire?”
SEO hiring has evolved. Has your strategy?
Retain Top Talent
Improve senior talent buy-in.
Protect Your Margin
Scale, without the risk.
Build the Team of Your Dreams
I’ve seen too many great agencies struggle because salary decisions were made without clear data. This report is here to give you that clarity, so you can hire confidently and build a team you’re proud of.
Built on verified salary data. Trusted by agencies like:
What We'll Unpack
Unlock insights on the hidden data that matters most.
The True Cost of SEO Talent
Why the real median of the market is higher than expected, and how tech outliers distort budgets.
The Management Tax vs. AI Premium
Understand the payroll jumps when moving to management, and where AI strategy creates real value.
The Retention Problem
Why senior SEOs aren’t unmotivated, they’re capped. We unpack significant ways to supplement their growth.
Geography Still Matters
How salary gravity clusters around certain metros and what location arbitrage looks like in 2026.
The Barbell Agency Model
Our hiring framework covering how to pair high-level talent to reap the most profitable path forward.
The SEO Team of 2026
Which technical skills are becoming table stakes and how AI is reshaping roles instead of replacing them.
Built for Leaders
Is This Report for You?
If you make decisions around headcount, pricing, or retention, this report was designed with you in mind.
- Agency owners planning hires in the next 6 to 18 months
- Directors responsible for SEO team structure and career paths
- Leaders tired of reactive hiring and shrinking margins
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Inside the 44-Page Guide:
Median Salaries
National medians explained, not just listed
Role Insights
Role design insights tied to profitability
Pattern Recognition
City-by-city breakdowns and market patterns
Team Building Strategies
Build vs. Buy guidance for SEO planning
Hiring Frameworks
The Barbell Model implementation roadmap
Senior SEO Insight
The salary factors facing Senior SEO talent
AI Skill Premium Effect
How AI skills are changing SEO pay
Manager vs IC Pay
How leadership impacts salaries
44
Pages of hiring insights
30+
Cities and markets benchmarked
100%
Built for agency scalin