What is a content manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Dr Rick Baldwin
introduction image

A content manager creates, curates, and manages digital content across various platforms. They work with writers, designers, and marketers to align content with the company's goals and appeal to target audiences. A content manager also analyzes data to measure effectiveness and adjusts strategies accordingly. They may oversee social media accounts, editorial calendars, and legal and ethical standards. Overall, a content manager builds the brand's online presence and engages with customers through high-quality content.

What general advice would you give to a Content Manager?

D

Dr Rick BaldwinDr Rick Baldwin LinkedIn Profile

Associate Professor of Practice, Prairie View A&M University

To begin their career, I suggest that the graduate pursue their career as an entrepreneur. Based on the career interest, actually develop a business plan to launch this career as a business. I would use this as a platform in beginning the career as entrepreneur, consultant, or as an employee of a marketing organization.
ScoreContent ManagerUS Average
Salary
5.9

Avg. Salary $75,124

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.5

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 8.15%

Black or African American 3.04%

Hispanic or Latino 8.67%

Unknown 5.32%

White 74.58%

Gender

female 50.94%

male 49.06%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress Level
7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
9.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.5

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Content Manager?

Pros

  • Potential for remote work or flexible schedules

  • Opportunities for career growth and advancement

  • Access to industry events and networking opportunities

  • Potential for competitive salaries and benefits packages

  • Opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Cons

  • Risk of burnout from managing multiple projects and demands simultaneously

  • Difficulty in measuring the success of content initiatives

  • Often required to work long hours or weekends during peak periods

  • Potential for limited growth opportunities in smaller organizations or teams

  • Risk of facing writer's block or creative burnout

Content Manager career paths

Key steps to become a content manager

  1. Explore content manager education requirements

    Most common content manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    77.4 %

    Master's

    11.8 %

    Associate

    7.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific content manager skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Digital Marketing8.55%
    Content Strategy6.90%
    Content Creation5.96%
    Project Management5.72%
    Web Content5.55%
  3. Complete relevant content manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New content managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a content manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real content manager resumes.
  4. Research content manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage social media, blogging, SEO strategy, and outreach.
    • Assign stories to freelancers and manage that editorial process, including optimizing original content for SEO.
    • Manage, coordinate, and confirm all content updates in the content management system including UI messaging and user assistance.
    • Manage social media marketing, including Instagram
  5. Prepare your content manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your content manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a content manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Content Manager Resume templates

    Build a professional Content Manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Content Manager resume.
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  6. Apply for content manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a content manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Content Manager Job

Zippi

Are you a Content Manager?

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Average content manager salary

The average Content Manager salary in the United States is $75,124 per year or $36 per hour. Content manager salaries range between $50,000 and $111,000 per year.

Average Content Manager Salary
$75,124 Yearly
$36.12 hourly

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How do content managers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

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1 Star

Content Manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I love hearing stories from other sources.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Content management.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

I love content and marketing overall. As a former journalist turned marketer, I love connecting with audiences and catering to what their interests may be, whether they know it or not yet. As a content director, I get involved in various departments like business development, finance, presidental level and others. Normally, most expect to only be involved in marketing efforts, but that simply isn't true.

Cons

I do think that depending on where you are employed some companies are not accustomed as to how involved a content department should be. Oftentimes it's either completely dead or pure chaos with workload. I think content director should be given larger authorities, teams and say regarding strategy. Oftentimes, they are overlooked due to old-school employees assuming they're glorified proofreaders or the grammar people.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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