Australia & New Zealand

SEO/SEM Salary Survey

April 2009 – June 2009

Copyright
Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney
2009 SEO SydneyBlog
Blog
Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com
Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com ||www.seosydneyblog.com
www.seosydneyblog.com
Background
Most contemporary SEO/SEM Industry surveys have a strong focus on the Northern American
market. In 2008, SEO Sydney Blog started the survey to gain a better understanding of the
Australian and New Zealand SEO/SEM industry. 2009 is the second edition of the survey.

Methodology
From April 09 until June 09, SEO Sydney Blog surveyed Australian and New Zealand
SEO/SEM professionals. The survey was promoted on the SEO Sydney Blog, in some
Australian forums and directly to leading search marketers.
A total of 64 respondents took the survey. Respondents were directed to a web based survey
(www.surveymonkey.com). The survey was fully anonymous and no incentive was given.

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog
Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com

Key Findings
• The AU & NZ SEO/SEM industry is dominated by Males (83%)
• Under 30’s dominate the Australian and New Zealand SEO/SEM industry (64%)
• 45% of professionals come from a Marketing background & 23% have more than one area
of expertise ( for example: Marketing + IT, or Marketing + Web Design)
• 52% of professionals have more than 3 years experience. 34% of respondents have less
than 2 years experience
• 75 % of professionals have worked for more than one company
• 53% of respondents work In-house and 6% are freelancing
• SEO is the main activity (78%) followed by SEM (67%). 48% of professionals perform more
than one activity on regular basis (for example: SEO+ SEM)
• 50% of professionals earn over $60,000/year. 37.5% of respondents earn less than
$50,000 a year.

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com
Question 1: Are you working in Australia / New Zealand ?

No
22%

Yes
78%

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com
Question 2: What is your gender ?

Female
17%

Male
83%

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com
Question 3: What is your age?

46+ 6%

41-45 6%

36-40 30%

31-35 20%

34%
26-30

20-25
30%

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com
Question 4: What is your educational background?

32.8%
Other

45.3%
MKT

14.1%
WD

34.4%
IT

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com
Question 5: How long have you worked in the industry?

5 years & more 29.7%

4 to 5 years 10.9%

3 to 4 years 10.9%

2 to 3 years 14.1%

1 to 2 years 15.6%

7 to 12 mts 9.4%

0 to 6 mths 9.4%

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com
Question 6: Since you started in the industry, how many companies
have you worked for?

15.6%
4 & more

23.4%
3

35.9%
2

25.0%
1

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com
Question 7: How would you best describe your current position?

Owner/CEO 12.5%

Freelance/Consultant 14.1%

Senior Manager 9.4%

20.3%
Manager

Employee 43.8%

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com
Question 8: Are you working?

Freelance
6%

Agency In-House
41% 53%

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com
Question 9: Which of the following activities do you perform on
regular basis?

14.1%
Display Advertising

18.8%
Email Marketing

67.2%
SEM

78.1%
SEO

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com
Question 10: What is your current salary in AU Dollars (including
super)?

Above $150,000 7.8%

$100 to $150,000 7.8%

4.7%
$91 to $100,000

$81 to $90,000 9.4%

$71 to $80,000 12.5%

$61 to $70,000 7.8%

$51 to $60,000 9.4%

$41 to $50,000 20.3%

$36 to $40,000 1.6%

$35,000 and Less 15.6%

Copyright 2009 SEO Sydney Blog

Contact: alban@seosydneyblog.com | www.seosydneyblog.com