Find Jobs Control your career. Find the right role for you - remote, hybrid or on-site. Find your next job Search jobs now Find the right job type for you Create a job alert Explore how we help job seekers Hire Talent We're ready to help you hire talent at every level, from office support roles to C-suite. Hire talent Contract talent Full-Time talent Learn how we work with you Executive search Finance and Accounting Technology Marketing and Creative Legal Administrative and Customer Support Explore Consulting Solutions See how our consulting capabilities can help transform your business. Explore consulting solutions Cloud • Cybersecurity • Data & Analytics • Data Privacy • Intelligent Automation • IT Service Desk Technology Internal Audit • Regulatory Compliance • Financial Crimes Compliance • Risk Management • Sarbanes-Oxley Risk, Audit and Compliance Finance Transformation • Process Optimization • Finance Technology & Data • Reporting & Compliance • Cost & Performance Management Finance and Accounting Digital Transformation • Marketing Services • Marketing Technology • Creative and Design Digital, Marketing and Customer Experience Data Privacy • Legal Consulting • Transaction Services Legal Contact Centers • Sustainability • Operational Effectiveness • Supply Chain • Sourcing & Procurement Operations HR Transformation • Employee Experience • Managed Talent • Future of Work • Organizational Transformation Human Resources Discover Insights Make smarter decisions with the latest hiring trends and career insights. Discover Insights 2027 Salary Guide Demand for Skilled Talent Report Job Market Outlook Press Room Tech insights Labor market overview AI in recruiting Navigating the AI era Staffing for small businesses Cost of a bad hire Browse jobs Find your next hire Our locations

Paid Search Specialist in San Francisco, CA

Paid Search Specialist job description

The paid search specialist develops search engine marketing (SEM) strategies and creates and implements pay-per-click (PPC) ad campaigns. This role demands strong research and analytical skills as well as creativity, IT expertise, versatility and adaptability. Paid search specialists must stay attuned to the latest search engine optimization (SEO) trends and strategies and be dedicated to keyword research. Understanding how to implement and manage organic search campaigns, in addition to paid search campaigns, is valued. Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript is typically required for the paid search specialist role, as is the ability to work with leading SEM software and tools for optimizing and managing paid search ads. Some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field.

Typical paid search specialist duties:

Conducting regular keyword research and maintaining a database of keywords to use in SEM/PPC campaigns, which drive web traffic through paid advertisingDeveloping landing pages that engage and retain visitors by working closely with designers, writers and other marketing team members to ensure that all content aligns with SEO strategy and best practicesAnalyzing campaign performance, monitoring competitors’ strategies and adjusting campaigns accordingly to achieve a maximum return on investment

Looking for a SEM/PPC specialist or a SEM/PPC specialist job?

Request candidates now and a specialized recruiter will typically contact you within one business day to discuss your staffing needs and help you hire a specialist.Search paid search specialist openings and apply now or submit your resume to be considered for opportunities that match your experience.
AI marketing tools
Answer engine optimization (AEO) and SEO
Budgeting
Digital marketing strategies
Display media
Marketing analytics
Paid media
Performance optimization
PPC campaigns
Search engine marketing
Web traffic analytics

Salary for Paid Search Specialist in San Francisco, CA

88400 - 119000

Low
88400
The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is still developing core skills.
Mid
104720
The candidate has moderate experience in the role or one similar, meets most requirements and may hold transferable skills or relevant certifications.
High
119000
The candidate has extensive experience in the role, demonstrates advanced skills and often brings specialized certifications or industry experience.

Projected salaries for related positions

Job title Low Mid High Marketing Analytics Manager 145860 164220 191760 Marketing Analytics Specialist 99280 120360 150620 Digital Strategist 129880 153000 180200 Growth Marketing Manager 127500 150960 187680 Demand Generation Manager 124440 146880 176460 E-Commerce Marketing Manager 125120 145520 175780 Performance Marketing Manager 104720 143140 182580 Digital Marketing Manager 112540 141100 160480 Digital Marketing Specialist 81600 95880 114920 Digital Project Manager 106080 136000 158440 Email Marketing Manager 99280 124440 150960 Email Marketing Specialist 73100 91120 105060 Marketing Automation Specialist 99620 116960 140080 SEO Specialist 92140 106760 123760

Explore More Salaries

Newest Paid Search Specialist Jobs

Search all jobs Marketing Operations Specialist
  • San Ramon, CA
  • Temporary to Hire
  • 35 - 45 USD / hour
  • 2026-11-10T00:00:00Z
Payroll Specialist
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Permanent / Full Time
  • 70000 - 75000 USD / year
  • 2026-11-03T00:00:00Z
Certified Payroll Specialist
  • Martinez, CA
  • Temporary / Contract
  • 30 - 40 USD / hour
  • 2026-10-30T00:00:00Z
See more

Looking to Hire? Start Here.

Access the skilled permanent and contract talent you need—from support roles to C-suite—with precision matching powered by Robert Half recruiters leveraging their experience combined together with our industry-leading AI technology. Hire talent

More to Explore

2027 Salary Guide Explore the latest data for roles in 7 professional fields and know what you should pay or earn in local and national markets.
Demand for Skilled Talent Check out our Demand for Skilled Talent report to learn about employers’ hiring plans and needs.
Labor market overview Stay on top of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and job posting data to learn about today’s hiring market.
Pay and Compensation Highlights Dive deeper into salary and total compensation trends across a range of professional roles and industries.
What's inside the Salary Guide Learn how our salary benchmarks reflect accurate marketplace data through a rigorous, multistep verification process.
The salary benchmarks in the Salary Guide From Robert Half are the result of a rigorous, multistep process designed to reflect projected market trends for 2027. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has placed nationwide, along with third-party job posting data from Textkernel that we use for independent validation. Learn more about our methodology.