Figuring out your social media management pricing is a headache. It’s probably the biggest question everyone asks when they start out. Or even when they’ve been doing it for a while.
You’re trying to find that sweet spot. Not so high you scare everyone away. But not so low you end up working for pennies. It’s a real balancing act, for sure.
This guide is for 2025. We’ll break down the numbers, the models, and all the stuff you need to think about. So you can finally give a confident answer when a potential client asks that big question.
What Actually Goes Into Social Media Management? (Breaking It Down)
Before you can put a price on something, you have to know what you’re selling. And it’s so much more than just posting a few pictures here and there. Which a lot of clients don’t get, normally.
It’s a whole package of tasks. Some things you do every day, and some are more about the bigger plan. It is these activities that determine the real work involved.
The Day-to-Day Stuff
This is the work everyone sees. It’s the front-facing part of the job. Typically, this includes things like:
Making the actual content (graphics, writing captions, shooting short videos)
Putting posts on a schedule so they go out at the right time
Answering comments and DMs from the audience
Checking in on what other people are saying about the brand
The ‘Bigger Picture’ Things
This is the behind-the-scenes work. It’s what makes the day-to-day stuff actually work. This is considered to be the strategy part.
Building a real strategy (who are we talking to, what’s our goal)
Looking at the numbers to see what’s working and what isn’t
Making reports for the client so they know what’s happening
Maybe running paid ads to get more eyes on the content
The Big Three: Common Pricing Models You’ll See
Okay so how do you actually charge for all that? Generally, people use one of three main ways to set up their pricing. Each one has its good and bad sides.
The Hourly Rate: Good for Starters?
This is the simplest way to start. You work an hour, you get paid for an hour. It’s easy for clients to understand.
But it can punish you for being fast. If a task takes you one hour instead of two because you’re good, you make less money. That doesn’t feel right.
Beginner (0-1 year): $25 – $50 per hour
Intermediate (2-4 years): $50 – $100 per hour
Advanced (5+ years): $100 – $250+ per hour
The Monthly Retainer: The Standard Go-To
This is the most common model. The client pays you a flat fee every month for a set amount of work. It’s predictable income for you and a set budget for them.
You usually sell these as packages or tiers. Which makes it easy for clients to choose what they need.
Basic Tier (“The Essentials”)
This is for the client who just needs a presence. Not a lot of bells and whistles.
1-2 social platforms
Around 3 posts per week
Basic community replies
2025 Price Range: $500 – $1,500 per monthMid-Range Tier (“Growth Package”)
This is for businesses that want to grow. You’re doing more active work here.
2-3 social platforms
4-5 posts per week, maybe some video
More active community management
A simple monthly report
2025 Price Range: $1,500 – $3,500 per monthPremium Tier (“Full Domination”)
This is the whole shebang. For clients who see social media as a main way they get business.
3-5 social platforms
Daily posting, lots of video, maybe stories
Full-on community building
Detailed reports and strategy calls
Paid ad management (the fee, not the ad money)
2025 Price Range: $3,500 – $7,000+ per month
Project-Based or Per-Package Fees
Sometimes a client doesn’t need you forever. They just need one thing done. This is where project fees come in.
Social Media Audit: A deep look at their current accounts with a list of fixes. ($400 – $1,200)
Initial Strategy Build: Creating a full content strategy for them to follow. ($800 – $2,500)
Campaign Launch: Managing a specific campaign for a new product for 4-6 weeks. ($1,500 – $5,000)
Factors That Change Your Price Tag
Your price isn’t set in stone. You can and should change it based on a bunch of different things. The situation is always different from client to client.
Your Experience: Are you brand new or have you been doing this for a decade? Your track record matters and you should charge for it. Don’t sell yourself short.
The Client’s Size: A small local coffee shop has a different budget and needs than a national tech company. It’s just common sense. Adjust your pricing for their scale.
Scope of Work: This is a big one. How many platforms are you managing? How much video content do they want? Video takes way more time than a graphic. Price that in.
Industry: Managing socials for a dentist is different than for a fashion brand. Some industries need more attention or have stricter rules. That can mean more work.
Ad Management: If you are also managing their paid advertising campaigns, that is a whole separate skill. You should charge extra for that. Usually a percentage of the ad spend or a flat fee.
Don’t Forget the ‘Hidden’ Costs and How to Talk About Money
There’s more to the cost than just your time. You have to think about the tools you use. The client doesn’t always see these things.
Scheduling tools like Buffer or Later cost money. Design tools like Canva Pro or Adobe cost money. Reporting software costs money. You need to build these business expenses into your prices.
Also, make it clear that your management fee does not include the client’s ad spend. That’s the money they pay directly to Facebook or TikTok. You are charging to manage that money for them. It’s a point of confusion that needs to be made clear right away.
When you talk about price, be confident. Present your packages clearly. Explain what they get for their money. The reason why clients push back is because they don’t see what they’re paying for. Show them the work.
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Answering Your Burning Questions
How much should I charge for social media management for a small business?
For a small local business, a good starting point in 2025 is a monthly retainer between $750 and $2,000. This normally covers one or two platforms with consistent posting and engagement.
With no experience, how much should I charge for social media management?
If you’re just starting, aim for the lower end. An hourly rate of $25-$40 is fair, or a very basic monthly package around $400-$600. The goal is to get experience and results you can show to future clients.
How much should I charge for social media management per hour in 2025?
The hourly rate for social media management varies a lot by experience. A beginner might charge $25-$50, an intermediate manager $50-$100, and a seasoned expert can charge well over $100-$250 per hour.
For just one platform like Instagram, how much should I charge for social media management?
Managing a single platform intensely can still be a lot of work. For just Instagram, a monthly package could be anywhere from $600 to $2,500+, depending on if you’re doing Reels, stories, DMs, and influencer outreach.
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Key Takeaways
There’s no single magic number. Your price depends on your experience, the client’s needs, and the scope of the job.
Monthly retainers are the most common and provide stable income. Create tiered packages to make it easy for clients to choose.
Don’t forget to factor in the cost of your software and tools.
Be clear about what’s included. Separate your management fee from the client’s ad budget.
Charge what you’re worth. Your work provides real business results, and your price should reflect that.
