As more businesses turn to digital and social media marketing strategies, demand (and salaries) for professionals who specialize in these areas has increased significantly, according to a recent report from ReThink Recruitment.

As more businesses turn to digital and social media marketing strategies, demand (and salaries) for professionals who specialize in these areas has increased significantly, according to a recent report from ReThink Recruitment.

ReThink, a U.K.-based hiring firm, found that the salaries of senior SEO and social media specialists have increased by an average of 70 percent in the last three years. As businesses continue to recognize the advantages of such marketing strategies, it is evident they are willing to pay more to ensure their needs are met.

“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,” said Mark Geraghty, head of ReThink Executive.

As Brafton has reported, a new study from MarketingSherpa found SEO will account for 11 percent of overall marketing budgets this year. Additionally, a study from Hoscox USA found 53 percent of businesses are utilizing social media as a marketing tool. At the same time, not all marketers will be hiring in-house executives to handle these projects. Brafton has reported that 14 percent of marketers are spending up to 100 percent of their SEO budgets with agencies this year.

This trend, ReThink noted, has reshaped the digital marketing landscape. Not only are businesses competing for talent in the area, they are also afforded new channels through which they can connect with customers – a development that is likely to benefit both business and consumers.