How Much Do Subject Matter Experts Make?
Having a clear understanding of earnings potential is important, especially if you are researching career paths or considering changing jobs. If you're one of those people, and you're curious what kind of salary subject matter experts make, you've come to the right place.
Using data from Lightcast,™ the Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled rich information about salary for subject matter experts and related jobs, including details about average compensation, salary trends and job growth. We've also gathered advertised salaries from actual job postings to provide insight into what employers of subject matter experts are offering as compensation.
Keep reading to learn more about how much subject matter experts can expect to make in the United States.
At a Glance: Salary & Jobs for Subject Matter Experts
According to data from 2023, there were about 186,139 positions for subject matter experts in the United States. In terms of salary, the national median salary for subject matter experts was reported to be $120,370. Additionally, when examining job demand, employers across the country posted 48,192 job postings related to positions for subject matter experts.
How Much Money Do Subject Matter Experts Make?
Median salary is just one data point. To build a better understanding of how much money subject matter experts and related positions can expect to make in the United States, it can be helpful to look at the full range of compensation for those jobs.
Let's look more deeply at data that was reported to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for detail into the lowest and highest salary earnings for subject matter experts.
Annual Salary for Subject Matter Experts
According to the BLS, the lowest earners for subject matter experts and related professions earned about $69,222 per year in 2023. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, the highest earners made about $182,374 annually.
As mentioned previously, the median salary for subject matter experts in the United States in 2023 was $120,370.
Annual Salary Range For Subject Matter Experts In 2023
Hourly Salary for Subject Matter Experts
The BLS also breaks down compensation for subject matter experts by hourly salary, and the median average hourly pay for subject matter experts in 2023 was $58. Lowest hourly earners took home $33 while the highest reported hourly salaries for subject matter experts was $88.
Hourly Salary Range For Subject Matter Experts In 2023
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Degree Options for Subject Matter Experts
Learn to translate business requirements into robust yet functional software applications and database designs to help businesses not only run but thrive, and jump start your career as a user support specialist, computer system analyst, or software developer.
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Go beyond basic programming and develop the technical skills necessary to apply, design, and implement software systems.
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Prevent costly security breaches by implementing adequate security measures to protect data in any industry or government sector.
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Bridge the gap between business and technology and develop the interpersonal skills to become an IT liaison in your organization.
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Harness the power of data by creating data-driven strategies and communicating data insights with a B.S. Information Systems-Analytics Focus.
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Develop your ability to lead, communicate and make strategic decisions that impact projects and processes with a B.S. Information Systems-Business Analysis & Project Management Focus
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Develop the advanced technical skills needed to turn complex programming specifications into well-designed computer programs.
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Advertised Compensation for Subject Matter Experts
Data from the BLS is one way to dig into compensation for subject matter experts, but another way to build a more real-time understanding of salary is to look at actual job postings and see what compensation organizations are currently providing to fill open positions for subject matter experts.
Keep in mind that salary data is not included in every job posting, so the information compiled here is reflective of the data available through Lightcast.™
Annual Salary from Job Postings for Subject Matter Experts
Advertised Annual Salary
During a review of 54,396 job postings related to subject matter experts, advertised salary was included in 17,869 of them, which was 33%. Based on those postings, the median advertised salary for subject matter experts was $109,952 per year.
Hourly Salary from Job Postings for Subject Matter Experts
Advertised Hourly Salary
A similar analysis of job postings provides insight into advertised hourly salary for subject matter experts. Based on 37% of postings with advertised compensation, the median hourly salary for open positions for subject matter experts in the United States is about $53.
Salary Trend for Subject Matter Experts
If you're thinking about pursuing a career in the field, you may want to understand how compensation has changed over time for subject matter experts. The chart below provides a snapshot of advertised salaries over the past three years.
Based on compensation data that was included in job postings for subject matter experts dating back to September 2020, advertised salaries for subject matter experts have increased 22%.
Advertised Wage Trend For Subject Matter Experts
What's the Job Growth for Subject Matter Experts?
Another data point that someone thinking about a career path should consider is whether or not jobs are expected to see growth in the future. The chart below looks at projected employment for subject matter experts over the next 10 years.
According to the data obtained through Lightcast,™ there were 185,942 jobs for subject matter experts in the United States in 2023. By 2033, it is expected that about 58,368 jobs will be added. That's a 31.4% increase over the next 10-year period.
Employment Projections For Subject Matter Experts
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about subject matter experts? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for subject matter experts.
What do subject matter experts do?
Subject Matter Experts: How do you become one?
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