Specially for SEOnews, HeadHunter analyzed vacancies and resumes of SEO specialists for 2020. In the article, you will find out what competition for a place in different regions of Russia, the average salary of a specialist and how the labor market in SEO has changed from 2018 to 2020.
Research plan:
- Vacancies and resumes
- Salaries
- Job seeker portrait
- Basic requirements for candidates
- Research findings
Vacancies and resumes
For SEO specialists, the website hh.ru publishes on average monthly 314 vacancies and 197 resume… In a 2018 joint study by SEOnews and HeadHunter, these numbers were higher at 408 and 272, respectively.
The largest number of vacancies (387) were added in February 2020, and resumes were added in August (224). In the spring, there is a significant decline, which can be explained by the introduction of quarantine and the suspension of the search for new employees by many employers. The number of published vacancies in May decreased by 61% (149), compared with the peak in February (before the quarantine).
Middle hh.index in Russia for the position of an SEO specialist is 3.2 – three specialists for one vacant place. The competition for this position has grown: in 2014 the hh. Index was 2.7, and in 2018 – 2.8.
hh.index – the HeadHunter metric showing the competition among specialists, the ratio of the number of posted resumes to the number of open vacancies.
Highest competition in the Ryazan region – almost one vacancy is applied for 13 applicants (hh. index 12.5). This may be due to the large number of resumes to the small number of open positions.
Salaries
For the I quarter of 2020 it was published 1011 vacancies, of which 798 vacancies indicated the proposed salary. In half of the vacancies, the salary range is from 35,000 rubles. up to 70,000 rubles.
The average proposed salary for an SEO specialist position in Russia is 50,000 rub.
Compared to 2018, the salary increased: then applicants were offered an average of 40,000 rubles.
The table below shows the TOP-30 cities of Russia with salary data from vacancies. The highest salaries are offered in cities Dubna (140,000 rubles) and Dzerzhinsky (100,000 rubles). Least of all are willing to pay specialists in Novorossiysk (25,000 rubles) and Kurgan (20,000 rubles).
In 2018, the highest rates were in Moscow (65,000 rubles), and the lowest in the Altai Territory (27,250 rubles).
Note that out of 30 cities represented, 10 belong to the Moscow region, which indicates the popularity of this profession in this region.
Job seeker portrait
Age and gender
The profession of an SEO specialist is more in demand among males, which is confirmed by data from published resumes: 69% candidates for this position are men, but 31% – women…
However, the number of male applicants is decreasing every year: in 2014, the distribution of men and women was 79% – 21%, respectively, in 2018 72% – 28%, and in 2021 already 69% – 31%.
The majority of job seekers (51%) fall in the 24 to 35 age group.
A fairly large proportion of applicants (21%) fall into the 35-44 age group – a more “experienced” age group.
work experience
26% candidates indicated work experience in the resume from 3 to 6 years old…
Almost equal number of candidates have worked as SEO specialists from 6 to 9 years old and from 9 to 12 years old – eighteen% and sixteen% respectively.
Note that in 2020 four% applicants published their resume no work experience… In previous years, CVs without work experience for the position of an SEO specialist were practically not posted.
Education
73% of candidates have higher education… There are more specialists with secondary specialized (9%) and secondary (6%) education. In 2018, their percentage was 7% and 2%, respectively.
Skills possession
The most common skills listed on candidates’ resumes are:
- SEO optimization (48%),
- knowledge of HTML (37%),
- compilation of a semantic core (35%),
- work with analytics systems Yandex.Metrica (37%) and Google Analytics (31%).
And 26% of candidates have experience with a graphics editor (Adobe Photoshop).
English proficiency
More than 70% SEO specialists indicate on the resume that speak english… 31% know the language at level A (beginner), 36% at level B (intermediate) and only 9% know the language at level C (high).
Schedule
78% candidates indicated in their CVs that they are ready to work full time work, 48% – agree to flexible schedule, i.e. can agree with the employer on the necessary conditions.
BUT 69% prefer to work remotely, which is understandable under quarantine conditions and is convenient for employees, for example, those living in other cities.
Employment type
90% candidates are ready for full employment, 54% ready to work partially, i.e. part-time work. And quite a large number of applicants – 38% – ready to work only on individual projects, which is most likely suitable for students, university graduates or freelancers.
Basic requirements for candidates
Below are the skillsthat employers think SEO candidates should have.
The basic requirements (7 items) coincide with the skills that the candidates indicated in their resumes. This knowledge of SEO-optimization, HTML, CSS, Yandex.Metrica and Google Analytics, compiling a semantic core, website promotion.
It is also important for employers that the candidate knows how to audit a site’s search visibility, has the skills to write SEO texts and have an understanding of online advertising tools.
Research findings
On average in Russia, one SEO specialist is claimed by three candidates… Competition has grown by 16% over the past two years.
Average salary offered to the position of an SEO specialist in Russia has grown by 25% and is RUB 50,000…
Typical job seeker for the position of an SEO specialist is male from 25 to 34 years old with 3 to 6 years of work experience, who has a university degree and is proficient in SEO optimization and HTML, is familiar with analytics systems and can work full time.
Read also:
SEO Industry Job Survey 2018
Researching SEO jobs in the USA
Research of average salaries of IT specialists