Senior digital and social media specialists enjoyed pay hikes of almost 70% over the last three years, according research from business and technology staffing specialist ReThink Recruitment (ReThink).

ReThink’s research shows heads of search professionals, who oversee search engine optimisation (SEO) and pay per click (PPC) strategies, are being offered average base salaries of roughly £75k per year, up from an average of £45k three years ago.

ReThink adds that search staff at a more junior manager level have also experienced bumper pay rises, now earning on average £45k per year, up from an average of £30k three years ago.

Mark Geraghty, head of ReThink Executive, says: “As businesses put ever bigger budgets into their online marketing efforts this role has gone from being a relatively junior to a high status role — in some web and digital media companies this is a director’s job.

“If you are spending several million pounds a year just on pay per click then it makes perfect sense to invest in someone senior to manage that process and ensure you are getting the best return on investment.”