If you're a Dallas business owner thinking about hiring a social media manager, the first question is obvious: how much is this going to cost me?
The short answer: $38,000-$90,000+ per year in salary alone. But salary is just the beginning. This guide breaks down the real, total cost of hiring a social media manager in Dallas-Fort Worth — from entry-level to senior roles — so you can make an informed decision.
2026 Dallas Social Media Manager Salaries
Based on current DFW market data:
Entry-Level (0-2 Years Experience)
Salary range: $38,000-$48,000/year ($3,167-$4,000/month)
What you typically get: - Basic content creation (mostly static images, simple Reels) - Scheduling and publishing across 2-3 platforms - Caption writing (developing skill level) - Basic community management - Monthly reporting using free analytics tools
What you typically DON'T get: - Strategic planning or content strategy - Professional video production - Paid advertising management - Advanced analytics and optimization - Crisis management experience
Reality check: Entry-level hires need significant direction and management. You're essentially paying to train someone while they learn on your brand. Some work out beautifully. Others don't — and you've invested months before you know.
Mid-Level (3-5 Years Experience)
Salary range: $52,000-$68,000/year ($4,333-$5,667/month)
What you typically get: - Content strategy development - Quality video and photo content - Strong copywriting across platforms - Community engagement and growth tactics - Performance reporting with insights - Some paid ad experience - Platform-specific optimization
What you typically DON'T get: - Multi-channel campaign strategy - Advanced video production (cinema-quality) - Comprehensive paid media management - Team leadership - Industry-specific expertise across verticals
This is the sweet spot for most businesses. A mid-level hire can run your social media presence independently. The challenge: good mid-level social media managers are in high demand in Dallas, and they know it.
Senior / Manager Level (5+ Years Experience)
Salary range: $70,000-$90,000+/year ($5,833-$7,500+/month)
What you typically get: - Full strategic oversight - High-quality content across all formats - Paid advertising strategy and management - Advanced analytics and ROI tracking - Brand voice development - Trend forecasting and proactive strategy - Potential to manage junior team members
At this level, you're paying top dollar for one person's perspective. They may be excellent — but they're still one brain, one creative vision, one skill set.
Before you post that job listing, consider this: For the same cost as a mid-level hire, you could get an entire agency team. Our in-house vs. agency cost comparison breaks down the math side by side. Get a free consultation.
The Costs Beyond Salary
Here's where most business owners get surprised. Salary is typically only 65-75% of the total cost of an employee.
Employer Taxes
- FICA (Social Security + Medicare): 7.65% of salary
- Federal Unemployment (FUTA): $42-$420/year
- Texas Workforce Commission: 0.31%-6.31% of first $9,000
On a $58,000 salary: ~$4,437/year ($370/month)
Benefits
The DFW job market is competitive. To attract quality social media talent, most employers offer:
- Health insurance: Employer contribution averages $400-$800/month per employee
- Dental and vision: $50-$150/month
- 401(k) match: 3-6% of salary ($1,740-$3,480/year at $58K)
- PTO: Average 15-20 days. That's 3-4 weeks of salary you pay while getting zero content produced
Total benefits cost: $800-$1,400/month
Equipment and Software
Your social media manager needs tools. (We break down equipment costs in detail in our video production cost guide.)
Hardware (one-time, replace every 2-3 years): - MacBook Pro or equivalent: $2,000-$3,500 - Camera and lenses: $2,500-$6,000 - Lighting and audio: $500-$1,500 - Gimbal, tripod, accessories: $500-$1,000
Monthly software: - Adobe Creative Suite: $55/month - Scheduling platform: $30-$100/month - Analytics tools: $50-$200/month - Stock assets and music: $30-$50/month - Canva Pro: $13/month
Equipment amortized + software: $350-$650/month
Training and Professional Development
Social media changes fast. Your hire needs to stay current:
- Online courses: $500-$2,000/year
- Conferences (Social Media Marketing World, etc.): $1,000-$3,000/year including travel
- Certifications (Meta Blueprint, Google): $150-$300 each
- Time spent learning vs. producing: 5-10% of work hours
Training cost: $150-$400/month
Management Overhead
Somebody has to manage this person. If that's you:
- Weekly check-ins: 30-60 minutes/week
- Content review and approval: 1-2 hours/week
- Strategy discussions: 1-2 hours/month
- Performance management: 2-4 hours/quarter
- Hiring and onboarding (when they leave): 40-80 hours
At an owner's hourly value of $100-$200, management time costs $400-$1,200/month.
Workspace
If they work in your office: - Desk, chair, monitor: $500-$1,500 one-time - Office space allocation: $200-$500/month (depending on your lease) - Utilities, internet: Marginal cost
If they work remote, you save on space but may lose some collaboration efficiency.
The Real Total Monthly Cost
Let's add it up for a mid-level hire ($58,000 salary):
| Cost Category | Monthly | |------|---------| | Salary | $4,833 | | Employer taxes | $370 | | Benefits (health, 401k, etc.) | $800-$1,400 | | Equipment + software | $350-$650 | | Training | $150-$400 | | Management overhead | $400-$1,200 | | Total | $6,900-$8,850/month |
That's $82,800-$106,200 per year for one person.
And if they quit? Industry average tenure for social media managers is 2-3 years. When they leave, you eat the cost of lost productivity, recruiting (typically $3,000-$8,000 in fees or time), and 2-3 months of ramp-up time for the replacement.
How That Compares to Agency Pricing
For context, here's what a Dallas agency charges for a comparable (or greater) scope of work:
| | In-House (Mid-Level) | Agency | |--|------|---------| | Monthly cost | $6,900-$8,850 | $2,500-$5,000 | | Team size | 1 person | 4-6 specialists | | Equipment | You buy | Included | | Software | You buy | Included | | Sick days / PTO | You pay, no content | Never misses a beat | | Turnover risk | High (2-3 year avg) | Continuity guaranteed | | Scalability | Fixed | Flexible |
The math speaks for itself. For a deeper dive into this comparison, see our full in-house vs. agency cost breakdown.
When Hiring In-House Still Wins
In-house makes sense in specific situations:
- You need someone 40+ hours/week dedicated to your brand. If your content volume justifies a full-time role, in-house becomes cost-competitive.
- You need real-time content throughout the day. Restaurants, event venues, and retail often benefit from someone on-site capturing content as it happens.
- You're building a full marketing department. If social media is just one part of a broader marketing team, an in-house hire fits into a larger structure.
- Your budget is $8,000+/month for social alone. At that spend level, you can attract senior talent who rivals agency output.
For most Dallas businesses under $5M in revenue, agency partnership delivers more value per dollar. (Not sure which is right for you? Our agency vs. DIY guide and our signs you should outsource can help you decide.)
Dallas-Specific Hiring Considerations
A few things unique to the DFW market:
Competition for talent is fierce. Dallas is home to dozens of agencies, corporate marketing teams, and startups all hiring social media talent. Quality candidates have options — and they know it.
No state income tax helps. Texas's lack of state income tax means Dallas salaries are slightly lower than coastal equivalents while offering comparable take-home pay. But it also means more businesses can afford to compete for talent.
Cost of living is rising. Dallas COL has increased significantly, pushing salary expectations up. The $45K social media manager of 2022 expects $55K+ in 2026.
Remote work expanded the pool. Some Dallas businesses hire remote social media managers from lower-cost markets. This can save money but creates challenges around local knowledge, in-person content creation, and time zones.
The Decision Framework
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I need more than 40 hours/week of social media work? If yes, consider in-house. If no, agency is more efficient.
- Can I budget $7,000-$9,000/month all-in? If not, an agency at $2,500-$5,000 gives you professional results at a lower cost.
- Am I prepared to manage another employee? Content review, strategy sessions, performance management, career development — it adds up.
- What happens when they leave? If the answer is "our social media dies for 3 months," that's a risk worth pricing in.
Want to know exactly what an agency partnership would cost for your business? We give transparent, no-pressure quotes. Get a free consultation — or explore our social media management and content creation services.