90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Raleigh, NC
Updated April 28, 2026

Social Media Manager Salary in Raleigh: $76K Median

Social Media Managers in Raleigh, NC earn between $49K and $125K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $72,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Social Media Manager salary in Raleigh, NC is $75,600 per year — +5% above the US national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $49,140 (entry, 25th percentile) to $124,740 (90th percentile). Social Media Managers in Raleigh earned approximately $15,120 in 2025, representing 400.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$75,600
+400.0% YoY · $6,300/mo
Entry
$58,968
0–2 years
Experienced
$99,792
5+ years
Top 10%
$124,740
Senior/lead
Social Media Manager Salary — Raleigh vs Nearby
Raleigh
$76K
Charlotte
$73K
+3% vs Raleigh
Dallas
$76K
+0% vs Raleigh
Virginia Beach
$71K
+7% vs Raleigh

Free ATS scan · Raleigh employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Social Media Managers in Raleigh

Social media managers plan, create, and publish content across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X. They build communities, drive engagement, and grow brand presence.

Core Responsibilities

  • Plan and publish social content
  • Manage community and respond to comments
  • Run paid social campaigns
  • Track engagement metrics and ROI
  • Partner with influencers and creators

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree in marketing or communications

In-demand certifications

Meta BlueprintHootsuite Social MarketingTikTok Marketing ProSprout Social Certified

Raleigh Job Market

Research Triangle anchor with major tech and pharmaceutical presence.

Population
469K
Cost of Living
101
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.5%
Median Home
$445K

Top Industries in Raleigh

Tech (Research Triangle)HealthcareEducationPharmaceuticals

Top Employers Hiring Social Media Managers

Major employers active in Raleigh or hiring remotely from this metro.

Nike
Glossier
Duolingo
Wendy's
Sephora
Gymshark
agencies (Edelman, Ogilvy)
in-house brand teams

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Social Media Manager listings.

short-form videoTikTok strategycommunity buildingAI content toolspaid socialcreator partnerships

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

social media strategyInstagramTikTokLinkedIncommunity managementpaid socialHootsuiteanalyticsinfluencer marketingcontent calendar
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Social media manager roles projected to grow 6% through 2034. TikTok and short-form video driving demand for creative-savvy managers.

Social Media Manager Salary Breakdown — Raleigh

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$49,140$75,600$124,740
Monthly$4,095$6,300$10,395
Weekly$945$1,454$2,399
Hourly$24$36$60

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($72,000) adjusted for Raleigh's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Social Media Manager Take-Home Pay in Raleigh

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$58,080.6
Per month$4,840
Biweekly paycheck$2,234
Effective tax rate23.2%

Tax Breakdown on $75,600

Gross salary$75,600
Federal income tax−$8,334
North Carolina state tax−$3,402
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$5,783.4
Take-home (net)$58,080.6

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Social Media Manager Salary by Experience — Raleigh

Career-stage progression for Social Media Managers in Raleigh.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$54,251
2–3 yr$58,968
4–6 yr$79,380
7–10 yr$99,792
11–15 yr$117,755
15+ yr$112,266

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Raleigh's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+400.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,120
2026 median:$75,600
Change:+$60,480

Marketing sector growth driven by demand for short-form video and TikTok strategy.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$74,851
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Social Media Manager Salary in Raleigh

Walk-away anchor: $67,500 (offers below this are below market for Raleigh).

Leverage Points

  • Direct revenue or pipeline impact - bring CAC, LTV, MQL-to-SQL conversion numbers
  • Performance marketing P&L ownership (paid social, paid search budget managed)
  • Brand work that moved the needle (search demand, NPS, organic traffic)
  • AI / GenAI proficiency commands a 15-20% premium in 2026

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Annual performance bonus tied to pipeline / revenueConference budget (Cannes, INBOUND, MAU)Tool stack ownership and martech budget authorityEquity at startups, RSUs at public cosRemote/hybrid flexibility

What To Say

"I drove $X in pipeline at my last role at a CAC of $Y. To make the move I'd need $X base, a clear path to head-of marketing, and budget authority for paid channels."

Anchor on $100K–$125K for experienced roles, citing Raleigh market data and your specific short-form video/TikTok strategy expertise.

Social Media Manager Salary FAQ — Raleigh

What is the average Social Media Manager salary in Raleigh, NC?
The average Social Media Manager salary in Raleigh is $75,600 per year as of April 2026 — $6,300/month, $1,454/week, or about $36/hour. Salaries range from $49,140 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $124,740 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Raleigh's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $75,600 a good Social Media Manager salary in Raleigh?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Raleigh's cost-of-living index is 101 (vs 100 nationally), giving $75,600 a real purchasing power of approximately $74,851 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $75,600 in Raleigh?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Raleigh specifically (median home price $445,000), a $75,600 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $75,600 enough for a single person in Raleigh?
A single adult in Raleigh typically needs ~$45,450 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $75,600 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $75,600 enough for a couple in Raleigh?
A couple (one earner) in Raleigh typically needs ~$72,720 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $75,600 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $75,600 each ($151,200 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $75,600 enough for a family of 4 in Raleigh?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Raleigh typically needs ~$111,100 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $75,600 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Raleigh. Childcare costs in Raleigh typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Social Media Manager in Raleigh?
On a $75,600 Social Media Manager salary in Raleigh, NC, you take home approximately $58,080.6 per year ($4,840/month, $2,234 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $8,334, state $3,402, FICA $5,783.4. Effective tax rate: 23.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Social Media Managers in Raleigh earn compared to the US average?
Social Media Managers in Raleigh earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($72,000 nationally vs $75,600 in Raleigh). However, Raleigh's cost-of-living index of 101 means real purchasing power is approximately $74,851 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Social Media Manager earn in Raleigh?
Entry-level Social Media Managers in Raleigh typically start at around $58,968 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Social Media Managers earn $99,792 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $124,740+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Social Media Manager salaries in Raleigh increase in 2026?
Yes — Social Media Manager salaries in Raleigh grew approximately 400.0% year-over-year, from $15,120 in 2025 to $75,600 in 2026 (+$60,480). This reflects the broader Marketing sector's compensation trend, driven by short-form video and TikTok strategy demand.
What's the job outlook for Social Media Managers in Raleigh?
Social media manager roles projected to grow 6% through 2034. TikTok and short-form video driving demand for creative-savvy managers. Raleigh's top industries include Tech (Research Triangle), Healthcare, Education, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.5% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Social Media Managers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Social Media Managers are: short-form video, TikTok strategy, community building, AI content tools, paid social, creator partnerships. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Raleigh.
Who are the top employers hiring Social Media Managers in Raleigh?
Top employers hiring Social Media Managers in or near Raleigh include: Nike, Glossier, Duolingo, Wendy's, Sephora, Gymshark. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Social Media Manager salary in Raleigh?
I drove $X in pipeline at my last role at a CAC of $Y. To make the move I'd need $X base, a clear path to head-of marketing, and budget authority for paid channels. Key leverage points for Marketing negotiations: Direct revenue or pipeline impact - bring CAC, LTV, MQL-to-SQL conversion numbers; Performance marketing P&L ownership (paid social, paid search budget managed); Brand work that moved the needle (search demand, NPS, organic traffic). Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Annual performance bonus tied to pipeline / revenue, Conference budget (Cannes, INBOUND, MAU), Tool stack ownership and martech budget authority, Equity at startups, RSUs at public cos.
How can I increase my Social Media Manager salary in Raleigh?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (short-form video, TikTok strategy, community building) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Meta Blueprint or Hootsuite Social Marketing). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Social Media Manager in Raleigh?
Bachelor's degree in marketing or communications is the typical path. However, Raleigh's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Marketing roles.

Methodology & Sources

Social Media Manager salary figures for Raleigh are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($72,000) by Raleigh's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (400.0%) reflects the Marketing sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Raleigh

Marketing Manager →Content Marketing Manager →Graphic Designer →Copywriter →

Social Media Manager Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$76KHouston, TX$76KPhiladelphia, PA$75KDallas, TX$76KFort Worth, TX$73KCharlotte, NC$73KSacramento, CA$78KAtlanta, GA$76K

Land a $76K+ Social Media Manager Role in Raleigh

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Marketing roles