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Entry Level Search Engine Marketing Jobs in Chicago, IL

GAF

Digital Marketing Consultant-SEO

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65 - $95/hr

Digital Marketing Consultant-SEO Location: Chicago, IL-Remote/Hybrid About Us: Predictive Sales AI is at the forefront of transforming the home services industry with AI-driven software. We empower ...

Americaneagle.com

SEO Specialist

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Americaneagle.com is a family-owned web design, development, and digital marketing agency with a ... The SEO Specialist's primary function is to facilitate the day-to-day execution of organic search ...

Darwill, Inc.

SEO Specialist

Oakbrook Terrace, IL · On-site

Darwill is a third-generation, family-owned, full-service marketing partner based in the western ... Technical SEO Collaboration: Work closely with developers to troubleshoot indexation, crawlability ...

Perfect Search Media

SEO Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

Stay up to date on the latest SEO + digital marketing trends, tools, and best practices * Contribute to company (and occasionally client) blog(s) and internal marketing strategy What You'll Need ...

Darwill, Inc.

SEO Specialist

Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Darwill is a third-generation, family-owned, full-service marketing partner based in the western ... Technical SEO Collaboration: Work closely with developers to troubleshoot indexation, crawlability ...

Perfect Search Media

SEO Analyst

Chicago, IL

Stay up to date on the latest SEO + digital marketing trends, tools, and best practices * Contribute to company (and occasionally client) blog(s) and internal marketing strategy What You'll Need ...

Darwill, Inc.

SEO Specialist

Oakbrook Terrace, IL · On-site

Darwill is a third-generation, family-owned, full-service marketing partner based in the western ... Monitor and analyze SEO performance using GA4, Google Search Console, Semrush, Ahrefs and Looker ...

tastytrade

SEO Specialist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Marketing Reports To: Organic Growth Manager Employment Type: Full-Time Salary : $75,000-$95,000 About the Role: As a SEO Specialist, you will play a key role in optimizing and maintaining our IG ...

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All JobsSearch Engine Marketing JobsEntry Level Search Engine Marketing JobsEntry Level Search Engine Marketing Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry Level Search Engine Marketing information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$26.3K

$73.2K

$108.2K

How much do entry level search engine marketing jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level search engine marketing in Chicago, IL is $73,200.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,700.00 and $86,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level search engine marketing?

An Entry Level Search Engine Marketing (SEM) job involves assisting with online advertising campaigns, especially those on search engines like Google and Bing. Typical tasks include keyword research, writing ad copy, monitoring campaign performance, and analyzing data to optimize results. Entry-level SEM professionals work closely with senior marketers or account managers to learn the fundamentals of pay-per-click (PPC) advertising and search engine strategies. This role is ideal for individuals looking to start a career in digital marketing and develop technical and analytical skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level search engine marketing professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Search Engine Marketing professional, you need a solid grasp of digital marketing basics, strong analytical skills, and a relevant degree or coursework in marketing or communications. Familiarity with Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, analytics tools like Google Analytics, and basic Excel skills are typically required. Attention to detail, adaptability, and effective communication help you excel in campaign management and client interactions. These skills ensure campaigns are optimized for performance, results are measured accurately, and clients or teams stay informed and engaged.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level search engine marketing professionals, and how can they overcome them?

Entry-level Search Engine Marketing (SEM) professionals often face challenges such as managing multiple campaigns simultaneously, staying updated with frequently changing platform algorithms, and interpreting large sets of performance data. To overcome these challenges, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, actively participate in ongoing training or webinars, and regularly review industry updates from trusted sources. Collaborating closely with more experienced team members and seeking feedback can also accelerate your learning and help you navigate complex campaign optimizations.

What is the difference between Entry Level Search Engine Marketing vs Search Engine Optimization Specialist?

AspectEntry Level Search Engine MarketingSearch Engine Optimization Specialist
CredentialsBasic understanding of digital marketing, certifications like Google AdsSEO certifications, analytical skills, familiarity with SEO tools
Work EnvironmentInternships, agency or in-house marketing teams, entry-level tasksMarketing agencies, corporate marketing teams, focus on organic search strategies
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in digital marketing roles across industriesSpecialized in improving website rankings, used in various sectors
Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level digital marketing rolesFocus on organic search optimization techniques

Entry Level Search Engine Marketing typically involves basic paid advertising and digital marketing tasks, while Search Engine Optimization Specialist focuses on improving organic search rankings through SEO strategies. Both roles require familiarity with digital tools, but SEO specialists usually have more specialized knowledge in search algorithms and website optimization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Search Engine Marketing jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Search Engine Marketing jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Entry Level Search Engine Marketing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Search Engine Marketing job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 10% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,200 per year, or $35.2 per hour.

SEM/PPC/Paid Social Specialist

The Plum Tree Group

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

We're a digital commerce agency looking to add a digital marketing specialist to our team! We are open to both intermediate and experienced candidates that are interested in helping our clients acquire more customers through  SEM & paid social.  

Phase 3 Commerce partners with growing brands to support digital acceleration and performance marketing. We are looking for the new breed of digital marketing professionals who have an integrated understanding of digital marketing, analytics, user experience and technology.  

Must Haves

  • A Positive, Can-Do Attitude!
  • Deeply familiar and passionate about online marketing and technology
  • Strong problem solver who knows how to ask the right questions, build hypotheses and prove or disprove with data insights
  • Have an analytical mind, obsess over the details and enjoy solving problems
  • Excellent communication and writing skills
  • Experience with Google Ads, Bing AdCenter, Analytics platforms, etc..
  • Experience with social ad platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn etc..
  • Experience with Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Google certifications preferred!

Role and Responsibilities  

Your role in a nutshell is to help our clients acquire more customers using SEM & Paid Social.

SEM Execution

  • Manage the day-to-day search marketing activities across multiple search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) including the campaign planning, implementation, budget management, performance review, and optimization of paid search campaigns.
  • Understand the hot issues along with new developments, working with cross-functional teams to develop relevant ads and landing page content
  • Demonstrate deep understanding on PLA/AdMax (shopping on google/bing) data feed management from the technical side through ad structure and delivery
  • Demonstrate deep understanding in managing paid social campaigns on top social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, etc) 
  • Demonstrate deep understanding of client goals in order to forecast budgets, create campaign structures and take complete ownership of multiple client accounts
  • Keyword research; discovery and expansion
  • Review and editing of creative copy; titles and descriptions
  • Review and analysis of campaign performance metrics
  • Grow and optimize our keywords portfolio through testing (A/B and Multivariate) with ad copy, landing pages, bidding strategies, negative key-wording, etc.
  • Develop near and long-term PPC account strategies, roadmaps and execute day-to-day tactics that increase revenue, site traffic, conversion and margins.
  • Identify and report on key performance indicators, and opportunities for improvement on a regular basis.
  • Drive continued innovation and best practice implementation, regularly sharing your knowledge with the marketing team
  • Stay current with new advances in search engine marketing, competitive landscape, and keyword research.
  • Partner with internal teams to drive highly integrated, customer acquisition strategies
  • Discover and test new partnerships with cutting edge technology and media companies to expand the current advertising portfolio
  • Managing relationships with search engines, partners and vendors
  • Focus on ROI, using the numbers to tell your story

Team Management

  • Successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to work on multiple projects at once without lowering customer experience
  • Candidate preferably comfortable working and managing teams and contractors

Nice to Have! SEO Experience:

  • Keyword research
  • Link-building 
  • Competitive analysis
  • Site audits
  • Inbound link audits
  • Assist other SEO team members with tasks
  • Ability to learn and retain information!

Why Phase 3?

  • Fast growing company
  • Flexible working environment
  • Exposure to all areas of Digital Commerce & Marketing
  • Access to WeWork ecosystem
  • Lots of opportunities for leadership and advancement
  • Competitive compensation structure including benefits
  • Flexible vacation and time off policy

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