Is SEO a high-paying job?

SEO can definitely be a high-paying job, especially if you gain extensive experience and expertise in the field. Entry-level SEO roles may start around $30,000 - $50,000 per year, but seasoned SEO professionals with 5-10 years under their belt can commonly earn between $60,000 - $100,000 annually or even more.

A lot depends on your specific skills, track record of driving successful SEO results, the industry you work in, and your location. In competitive industries like e-commerce, tech, and finance, top SEO talent gets paid a premium. And in major tech hubs like San Francisco, New York and Seattle, salaries tend to be on the higher end due to the increased cost of living.

Many SEO experts also choose to go the freelance consultant or agency owner route, where your earning potential is even greater. Freelance SEO consultants can charge anywhere from $75-$200+ per hour or take a percentage of the client's revenue they help drive.

So in short - SEO salaries can vary quite a bit, but it's definitely a field where you can make a very comfortable living, especially if you develop strong technical skills, strategic thinking, and a proven ability to increase search visibility and organic traffic for businesses. The more success metrics you can point to, the more you can command in compensation.