Particularly important for budgeting and project-planning is knowing an SEO freelancer hourly rate. It is possible for the price to fluctuate greatly based on a number of factors. This book will guide you through the elements that play a role in these rates, give you global information about how much SEO freelancer services cost, and advise you on how to choose the best freelancer for your needs.
Things That Speak to the SEO Freelancer Hourly Rates

- Level of experience: Experience is one of the main factors that influence SEO freelancer rates. And this is generally how it works out:
- Stage 1 (0–2 years): $20–$50/h
- Mid-Level: $50–$100/hour (3–5 years)
- Lead (10+ years): $150–$350/hr.
- Unless entry-level freelancers have worked on your type of project specifically, they may know only the basics of SEO: They have practical experience with various SEO freelancer, strategies, and client projects. On the other hand, with professionals, you get advanced know-how, such as elaborate data analysis, technical SEO freelancer, and international SEO freelancer.
- Geographic Location: SEO freelancer rates can differ significantly based on where the freelancer is located. The results are often a reflection of the different costs of living and financial situations. For instance:
$75 to $150 hourly in North America and Western Europe
Asia and Eastern Europe: $20–$80 per hour
- Given the cost of living in many countries is generally lower, they would charge less for their SEO freelancer services, though freelancers from high-cost countries can charge much more, but that does not guarantee a better output.
- Many talented SEOs operate from lower-cost-of-living regions and offer competitive rates.
- Scope of Work: The complexity of the task has considerable effect on the charges as well. Some common SEO tasks and their average prices are given below:
About $20 to $50 an hour for basic on-page SEO freelancer (internal linking, meta tag, content changes, keywords, etc)
One of the components of a technical SEO audit, which costs between $75 and $150 an hour, is reviewing a website’s architecture, speed, mobile friendliness, crawl issues ,and more.
- SEO Strategy: $100 to $200 an hour — competitive analysis, keyword mapping, performance tracking, and long-term plan.
- In-depth projects that require thorough examination and strategic planning typically command higher prices because of the time and expertise necessary.
- Industry demand: The more competitive an industry is (such as IT, healthcare, law, or finance) the demand for an SEO freelancer drives up the price. These types of businesses require specialized knowledge, compliance with stringent laws, and advanced content strategy in order to outpace the competition.
- Reputation and Portfolio: Freelancers with robust portfolios, client testimonials, and proven results can justify premium rates. Prominent experts often include completed case studies that showcase their ability to deliver measurable results such as increased conversion rates, organic visitors, and search engine ranking.
SEO Freelancer Rates worldwide

To get you a better idea of SEO freelancer rates around the world, here is a synopsis:
Very much in demand, especially for technical SEO and e-commerce projects, you can expect to pay between $75-$200 per hour in the US and Canada.
- Western Europe and the United Kingdom: $60 to $150 an hour — In western Europe and the U.K. there is a massive demand for multilingual and content-driven SEO.
- Australia and New Zealand: $50 to $120 — an emerging digital economy with a focus on local SEO.
- Asia (Pakistan, India, and the Philippines): $20–80/hour — Fairly priced (in relative terms) with a huge number of skilled resources.
$30 to 90 an hour in Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Poland, Romania) — famous for providing technical experience at low rates.
Bill by the Hour — or by Project
Project-based pricing is favored by some SEO freelancer, while others charge an hourly rate. Each is beneficial depending on your project type.
Hourly Prices: Perfect for:
- Continuous SEO upkeep
- Consultation sessions
- Technical troubleshooting
- Pros: Paying only for hours worked is a cost-effective and easy way to change the scope.
- Cons: Costs can accumulate over time if the project timeline is extended.
Project-based rates: best suited for:
- SEO freelancer audits for websites
- The projects that come under the Keyword research
Full-scale SEO Freelancer initiatives
- Pros: Clearly defined deliverables and scope from the start.
- Cons: A little less adaptable if you change your mind about what the project should do in the middle of the process
How to Choose the Right SEO freelancer Professional
Choosing the right SEO freelancer involves more than the price comparison. Here are some key tips to help you make the right choice:
Review Their Portfolio – Look for something like success stories, case studies, samples of work. A strong portfolio demonstrates they will perform similar work well.
- Look into customer testimonials and reviews: Positive reviews from previous clients provide insight into the freelancer’s reliability, quality of work, and communication skills.
- Clarifying Deliverables: Be explicit on what the fee covers. It ensures you receive what you want and minimizes miscommunication.
conclusion
Much like any other job, hourly rates for SEO freelancer positively vary significantly among a few factors, including project complexity, location, and level of experience. However, you might be tempted to go for the least expensive option, finding yourself a good freelancer to help you can significantly increase the exposure, traffic, and conversions that your website experiences.