How Much Does A Social Media Manager Make? Average Salary 2026

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A social media manager is a professional responsible for managing and enhancing a company’s presence across various social media platforms. Their role is dynamic, involving the planning, implementation, and maintenance of social media strategies and campaigns. This includes creating engaging content for platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter (X), and more, while actively interacting with the audience to build meaningful connections.

The main goal of a social media manager is to boost brand awareness, increase engagement, and drive traffic to the company’s website. They also keep an eye on trends, analyse performance patterns, and ensure consistent brand messaging across all channels.

Indeed, social media managers are key players in today’s digital marketing landscape, using creativity, strategy, and analytics to make brands stand out online.

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The social media manager salary in India varies based on experience levels. The table given below shows experience-wise social media manager salary: 

Salary Reference: Ambition Box

Bachelor’s Degree:

For a social media manager working with a bachelor’s degree, starting compensation is approximately ₹3 LPA – ₹ 6 LPA. At this phase, the social media manager is typically entry-level and responsible for managing a brand page or pages, developing content calendars, and providing reported engagement stats for the brand(s). The social media manager’s salary may significantly increase with greater experience and development of their own strategy skill set.

Master’s Degree:

A master’s degree can greatly improve the compensation. A candidate with a master’s degree can get a salary of approximately ₹6 LPA – ₹12 LPA. 

A graduate of a master’s program in marketing, digital media or communications is likely to gain mid-level and management positions faster than individuals graduating with a bachelor’s degree. This is due to the master’s level giving greater insight into understanding analytics, branding, and overall audience behaviour, which marketers and managers of social media may value.

Specialised  Online Certifications:

Certifications in social media marketing, SEO, or digital advertising are certifications worth seeking alongside any degree of education. Professionals who hold certifications, such as the Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing for Performance & Growth offered by IIM Kozhikode through Jaro Education, can help hone their social media management skills, ultimately leading to higher-paying jobs.

• Change employers: As with many professions, one of the easiest ways to increase your Social Media Manager salary is to change employers. A quick search on LinkedIn can help you locate organisations willing to pay more money for your skills. 
• Advance your education: Obtaining an advanced degree in things such as digital marketing, communications, or a related field not only helps you build your knowledge but also makes you more attractive as a candidate. 
• Expand your skills: Managing social media profiles is more than posting content; you will need very strong copywriting skills to create clear and engaging content.
• Get certified: Obtaining a professional certification, such as the Social Media Marketing Certificate, will add a credential that distinguishes you from many others in the field.

Indeed, being a Social Media Manager in India offers rewarding career prospects and competitive salaries. As we know, the average Social Media Manager salary can range from INR 3 Lakhs to INR 10 lakhs per annum, depending upon factors such as skills, designation, and location. However, to excel in this field, it is important to upskill yourself and gain relevant expertise by enrolling in social media marketing courses. This is a great opportunity for freshers and professionals to enhance their experience and stay updated with the latest trends and strategies in the industry. 

So, continue building up your digital and social media skills on Jaro Education. For example, you can enroll in our Online MBA – Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Manipal University, Jaipur, and Amity University. Also, fast-track your career as a digital maverick with our Professional Certificate Programme in AI-Powered Digital Marketing for Performance & Growth offered by IIM Kozhikode.