What Are Technical SEO Specialist Jobs?
At Vibe Branding, we’ve spent the past decade diving deep into all aspects of SEO, and I can tell you that technical SEO specialist jobs are among the most critical and rewarding roles in digital marketing today. These jobs focus on optimizing the infrastructure of websites so that search engines can better crawl, index, and rank them.Â
A technical SEO specialist ensures that a website is search-engine-friendly from the inside out, dealing with site architecture, page speed, structured data, and mobile responsiveness. Unlike traditional SEO roles, which often deal with keywords and content, technical SEO specialist jobs are all about improving performance from the ground up.Â
Think of it like tuning up an engine before taking a car out on the road. Without a strong technical foundation, no amount of great content or backlinks will help a site rank consistently.Â
That’s why companies are investing more in this role than ever before.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
- Technical SEO specialists are in high demand as websites become more complex.
- These roles focus on the back-end of SEO: speed, structure, code, crawlability, and indexing.
- Essential skills include knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, site audit tools, and mobile optimization.
- You can find these jobs on LinkedIn, Indeed, SEO-specific boards, and digital agency sites.
- The average salary ranges from $60,000 to $120,000 depending on experience and location.
- Remote and freelance technical SEO specialist jobs are becoming more common.
- This article provides the skills, certifications, and steps you need to land one of these roles.
What Do Technical SEO Specialists Do on a Daily Basis?
From my experience running Vibe Branding, I’ve seen firsthand how versatile and detailed these roles can be. A typical day for a technical SEO specialist involves running site audits with tools like Screaming Frog or Sitebulb, checking crawl errors in Google Search Console, and improving Core Web Vitals.Â
They also ensure that robots.txt files and sitemaps are up to date, fix broken links, and manage 301 redirects. More advanced tasks might include collaborating with developers to implement schema markup or debugging JavaScript rendering issues.Â
They also stay in constant communication with content teams to make sure their work aligns with SEO best practices. If a page is not being indexed or rankings are dropping, these are the people who figure out why.Â
It’s a role that requires both a sharp analytical mind and a strong technical foundation.
Skills and Tools Every Technical SEO Needs
When we onboard SEO talent at Vibe Branding, we look for a specific combination of technical skills and strategic thinking. The best technical SEO specialists know how to use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Google Analytics, and Google Tag Manager.Â
They also understand how to analyze crawl logs, write clean code (or at least understand HTML/CSS/JavaScript), and work within a CMS like WordPress or Shopify. You also need to be comfortable interpreting data and turning that into actionable fixes.Â
It’s not enough to know there’s a problem — you need to know how to solve it. Soft skills matter too.Â
Technical SEOs often act as the bridge between marketing teams and developers, so communication is key. And because Google updates its algorithm regularly, adaptability and curiosity are must-haves.
How Is This Role Different from General SEO?
I’ve had many clients ask, “Isn’t all SEO technical?” And the short answer is: not really.Â
General SEO focuses more on content strategy, on-page optimization, and link-building. Technical SEO dives into the backend mechanics that support those efforts.Â
For example, a general SEO might optimize meta descriptions and headers, while a technical SEO ensures that the page loads quickly, renders properly on mobile, and doesn’t return server errors. While content SEOs think about user intent and keywords, technical SEOs worry about crawl depth, canonical tags, and page speed.Â
One isn’t more important than the other — they’re simply two sides of the same coin. But in my experience, technical SEO issues are often the hidden barriers preventing great content from ranking.
Certifications and Courses That Help
If you’re looking to land one of the many technical SEO specialist jobs out there, you don’t necessarily need a degree — but you do need credibility. At Vibe Branding, we often recommend starting with free resources like Google’s Search Central or the Moz Beginner’s Guide to SEO.Â
Then, consider certifications from SEMrush Academy, Yoast SEO, or even HubSpot. For deeper learning, platforms like Coursera offer SEO-focused tracks from institutions like UC Davis.Â
LinkedIn Learning also has great technical SEO walkthroughs. And don’t underestimate the value of hands-on experience.Â
Start your own website, run audits, implement fixes, and measure results. That’s often more valuable than any piece of paper.
Where to Find Technical SEO Specialist Jobs
As someone who hires in this space, I can tell you the demand is real. Some of the best places to find technical SEO specialist jobs include Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, and SEO-focused boards like SEOjobs.com.Â
Many digital marketing agencies (ours included) are frequently hiring technical SEOs because of the growing need to fix performance and infrastructure issues before scaling campaigns. If you’re looking for remote opportunities, platforms like Remote OK, We Work Remotely, and Toptal are great options.Â
Freelancers can also find technical SEO gigs on Upwork or Contra. In fact, more and more companies are comfortable hiring contractors for audits, migrations, and technical projects because it’s cost-effective and efficient.
City | Average Salary (2024) |
Chicago | $80,750 |
NYC | $75,000 |
LA | $70,000 |
SF | $85,000 |
Miami | $60,000 |
Houston | $65,000 |
What to Include on Your Resume or LinkedIn
Over the years, we’ve looked at hundreds of resumes, and the ones that stand out have one thing in common: proof. Don’t just list your skills; back them up with examples.Â
Mention specific tools you’ve used, show metrics (e.g., “Improved site speed by 35%”), and link to audits or portfolio pieces. If you’ve done freelance work, include client testimonials.
Use keywords like “technical SEO specialist jobs,” “site audits,” “structured data,” and “indexation” in your headline and about section on LinkedIn. These help recruiters and ATS tools identify you as a strong match.Â
And if you’re actively looking, make sure your “Open to Work” settings are enabled with detailed descriptions.
How to Stand Out in Interviews
Hiring a technical SEO specialist is not like hiring a general marketer. We often ask applicants to walk us through a site audit, explain their approach to solving complex indexing issues, or talk about how they improved Core Web Vitals.Â
These practical insights help us understand how you think. Interviewers are also looking for a proactive mindset.Â
Have you kept up with Google’s latest algorithm updates? Are you aware of trends like AI-driven SEO audits or programmatic SEO?Â
Can you collaborate with developers or push back on design changes that might hurt SEO? These questions help reveal if you’re just following a checklist or really thinking strategically.
Career Growth and Remote Opportunities
One of the reasons I love this field is because the growth path is so dynamic. You can start in an entry-level position and move into a lead role or SEO manager role within a few years.Â
Many senior technical SEOs go on to become directors of growth or heads of search. The skills you develop can be applied to virtually any industry.
Remote technical SEO specialist jobs are not just available; they’re becoming the norm. With cloud-based tools and asynchronous communication, it’s easier than ever to collaborate from anywhere.Â
At Vibe Branding, we have remote contractors across the country, and some of our best technical audits have come from freelancers.
What Does the Future Look Like?
Looking ahead, technical SEO is only becoming more relevant. With Google leaning heavily into structured data, Core Web Vitals, and mobile-first indexing, businesses that don’t invest in this skill set will fall behind.Â
I also see AI and machine learning playing a greater role in automating audits, identifying anomalies, and even writing basic metadata. That said, the human element is irreplaceable.Â
Tools can highlight problems, but they can’t always understand nuance, prioritize based on business needs, or collaborate with developers. That’s where experienced technical SEOs shine. And as the ecosystem grows more complex, the value of deep technical expertise continues to climb.
