How Much to Charge for Social Media Marketing

If you’re offering social media marketing services whether as a freelancer, contractor, or in-house marketer one of the biggest questions you’ll face is: How much should I be getting paid?

The short answer is: it depends.

The longer answer involves your experience level, the type of services you offer, the size of your clients, and even your location. In this guide, we’ll break down what social media marketers earn in Australia (and beyond), what factors affect your rate, and how to confidently price your work.

1. Average Social Media Marketing Rates in Australia

Let’s start with some typical figures based on market data and industry reports in 2025:

Freelancers & Contractors

Entry-level: $25 – $50/hour
Intermediate (2–4 years experience): $50 – $90/hour
Experienced/Highly Skilled: $100 – $200+/hour

Project-based Rates

Basic social media setup (1–2 platforms): $500 – $1,500 one-time
Ongoing monthly management (2–3 platforms): $1,000 – $4,000/month
Full-service with content creation + ads: $3,000 – $10,000+/month

In-house Social Media Marketers

According to Seek and Glassdoor:

Junior Social Media Coordinator: $55,000 – $70,000/year
Mid-level Social Media Manager: $75,000 – $95,000/year
Senior Strategist or Head of Social: $100,000 – $150,000+/year

These are general ranges. The key is to price based on the value you provide rather than just time spent.

2. What Services Are You Offering?

Not all social media marketers do the same thing. Your pay should reflect what you’re bringing to the table. Some common services and how they’re valued:

Service	Typical Rate (Freelance/Per Project)
Social media account setup (branding, bios, highlights)	$300 – $1,000
Content creation (images, carousels, videos)	$50 – $500 per asset
Caption writing & post scheduling	$500 – $2,000/month
Social media strategy & audits	$800 – $3,000
Community management (replying to comments, DMs)	$500 – $1,500/month
Paid ad campaign management	$1,000 – $5,000+/month

The more strategic or results-driven your role (e.g., running Meta ads or developing growth campaigns), the higher your rate should be.

3. Freelance vs. In-House vs. Agency Pay

– Freelancers

Set your own rates and work independently
Can charge more per hour, but you handle your own taxes, admin, and client sourcing
Great for flexible, remote, and project-based work

– In-House Employees

Receive a stable salary and benefits (superannuation, paid leave, etc.)
Less control over client choice or strategy
Good long-term career option with growth opportunities

– Agency Professionals

Paid a salary, sometimes with performance bonuses
Typically work on multiple client accounts
Fast-paced, often ideal for building experience quickly

Your career goals and lifestyle preferences will help determine which route is right for you—and how much you should be paid.

4. How to Determine Your Rate

To set the right price for your services, ask yourself:

➤ What’s your experience level?

If you’re new, start at the lower end of the scale. As you gain confidence and case studies, raise your rates. Your price should grow with your skill.

➤ What’s the value to the client?

If your work helps them drive $10,000/month in revenue, your fee should reflect that value—even if you only spend a few hours creating and managing content.

➤ How much time and effort is required?

Break down the hours per week or per deliverable. Don’t forget admin tasks like planning, reporting, revisions, and communication.

➤ Are you providing strategy or just implementation?

Strategists can charge more. If you’re advising on content pillars, engagement goals, or conversion funnels, that’s more valuable than simply uploading posts.

➤ What are others in your market charging?

Research rates on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Australian marketing groups. Undercharging may seem like a competitive edge, but it can undermine your credibility and income.

5. When to Raise Your Rates

If you’re consistently booked, getting results for clients, or handling more complex tasks, it might be time to increase your rates. Signs you should raise your pricing:

You’re delivering ROI and clients are thrilled
You’ve improved your skills (e.g., video editing, running ads, analytics)
You’re booked out weeks or months in advance
You’re underpaid compared to industry benchmarks

Tip: Always give current clients advance notice and grandfather their rate if you feel it’s fair.

6. Tips for Getting Paid What You’re Worth

Have a portfolio: Case studies and examples of your work help justify your rate.
Know your niche: Specialists (e.g., real estate social media or e-commerce ads) can often charge more than generalists.
Use contracts: Always outline scope, timeline, payment terms, and revisions.
Invoice professionally: Use tools like Xero, QuickBooks, or Wave.
Track your time and performance: It helps with accountability, client communication, and future quoting.

Final Thoughts

So, how much should you get paid for social media marketing? It depends on what you do, how well you do it, and who you do it for. Whether you’re a freelancer managing a few accounts or a full-time employee at an agency, remember: you’re not just “posting on Instagram” you’re delivering real marketing results.

Know your worth, price your services with confidence, and continue to upskill. The demand for skilled social media marketers is only growing and so are the opportunities.