Social media never takes a day off. Posting, responding, tracking and planning add up fast, and for most leaders, that time comes straight out of running the business.
So what does it cost to hand it off? It depends on how you hire.
How Much Does a Social Media Manager Cost?
A full-time social media manager in the U.S. earns between $62,500 and $95,500 a year, with a midpoint of $80,000, according to the Robert Half 2027 Salary Guide.
That’s salary only. In private industry, wages make up 70% of total compensation. Benefits make up the other 30%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (June 2026).
Apply that to the midpoint salary, and a full-time social media manager costs about $114,300 a year in salary and benefits.
What Drives the Cost
- Experience: a manager who builds strategy costs more than one who schedules posts
- Scope: number of platforms, posting frequency and community management
- Content: whether they create graphics and video or work from approved content
- Paid ads: managing ad campaigns adds cost, and ad spend is separate
- Location: salaries run higher in major metro areas
- How you hire: employee, freelancer, agency or managed service
Social Media Manager Cost Comparison
| Full-time in-house | Freelancer | Agency | Managed U.S.-based (BELAY) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Annual salary plus benefits | Hourly or per project | Monthly retainer | Flat monthly fee scoped to your needs |
| Typical cost | $62,500–$95,500 salary; about $114,300 with benefits at the midpoint | Varies widely by experience and scope | Varies by scope; ad spend usually extra | Based on the hours and support you need |
| Hiring | Your time, job ads, possibly a recruiter | Your time vetting candidates | Proposals and contracts | Done for you; matched in as little as one week |
| Benefits and payroll taxes | You pay | Freelancer covers | Agency covers | Included |
| Dedicated to your brand | Yes | Shared with other clients | Shared across an account team | One dedicated professional |
| If it’s the wrong fit | Start the search over | Start the search over | Renegotiate or switch agencies | Rematched at no additional cost |
What Does a Social Media Manager Do?
A social media manager keeps your brand consistent, active and responsive online. Here’s what’s usually in scope:
| What social media managers typically do | What’s typically outside the role |
|---|---|
| Maintain a content calendar | Build your website |
| Schedule and publish posts | Handle complex customer service issues |
| Respond to comments and messages | Close sales |
| Moderate groups and communities | Manage legal or compliance questions |
| Share curated content | Set your marketing budget |
| Track performance and report trends | Make major brand decisions |
Social Media Manager vs. Social Media Strategist
The two roles overlap, but they solve different problems.
A strategist decides what to do: goals, platforms, audience, KPIs, competitor analysis and campaign plans.
A manager makes it happen: scheduling, posting, engagement and reporting.
Many small businesses need a manager first. If you already know your brand and your audience, consistent execution is usually what’s missing.
What the Work Looks Like
- Daily: post content, respond to comments and DMs, monitor mentions
- Weekly: schedule upcoming posts, curate content, engage in communities
- Monthly: report performance, update the content calendar
- Quarterly: review what’s working and adjust the plan
The Hidden Costs of Doing It Yourself
Managing social media yourself looks free. It isn’t.
- Time: hours every week that don’t go to sales, clients or your team
- Inconsistency: posting drops off when you get busy, and engagement drops with it
- Missed responses: unanswered comments and messages cost you goodwill
- No data: without tracking, you can’t tell what’s working
- Brand drift: content made in a rush doesn’t always sound like you
- Burnout: one more thing on a list that’s already too long
How to Hire a Social Media Manager
- Define the work: platforms, posting frequency, engagement and reporting.
- Decide what you’ll provide: approved content, brand guidelines or strategy.
- Choose how you’ll hire: employee, freelancer, agency or managed service.
- Ask the right questions: what tools they use, how they report results and how they keep up with platform changes.
- Start with clear goals, so you can measure progress after 90 days.
For a deeper look at what hiring in-house really costs, read How Much Does an Executive Assistant Cost? The same hidden costs apply. Comparing hourly options? Read BELAY vs. Hourly VA Services: What You’re Actually Paying For.
How BELAY Social Media Managers Work
BELAY Social Media Managers are U.S.-based and drawn from the top 3% of vetted talent. They keep your brand consistent and responsive:
- Schedule pre-approved content and maintain your posting calendar
- Share curated blogs, quotes and articles
- Respond to comments and DMs and support reputation management
- Moderate online groups and support audience engagement
- Coordinate email and social campaigns
- Track activity and report performance trends
Need brand strategy, graphic design, paid ads or SEO? A BELAY Marketing Assistant is the better fit.
Most clients are matched in as little as one week. If the match isn’t right, BELAY’s Right-Fit Guarantee rematches you at no additional cost.
Social Media Manager Cost FAQ
How much does a social media manager cost per year?
A full-time social media manager earns $62,500 to $95,500 a year, according to the Robert Half 2027 Salary Guide. With benefits, the midpoint comes to about $114,300 a year.
Is it cheaper to hire a freelancer or an agency?
It depends on scope. Freelancers often cost less but require you to vet and manage them. Agencies offer a team but usually work across many clients, and ad spend is extra.
What’s the difference between a social media manager and a social media strategist?
A strategist sets goals, audiences and campaign plans. A manager carries out the plan through scheduling, posting, engagement and reporting.
How much does a BELAY Social Media Manager cost?
BELAY uses a flat monthly fee based on the hours and support you need. The fastest way to get a number for your situation is a short fit call.
Are BELAY Social Media Managers based in the U.S.?
Yes. Every BELAY professional is U.S.-based.
Keep Your Brand Active Without Doing It Yourself
Get matched with a U.S.-based Social Media Manager in as little as one week.
