Quick answer
- US: social media management typically costs $500-$5,000 a month, with hourly rates of $35-$150.1 Basic packages run about $500-$2,000, mid-tier retainers $2,000-$5,000.5
- A new social media manager might charge around $75 an hour; one with 10+ years and a strong portfolio around $200.4
- Canada: basic posting packages start at $300-$800 CAD a month and mid-tier runs $1,000-$3,000.7 Mid-level freelancers charge about $45-$78 an hour.8
Monthly package tiers
| Tier | US (USD) | Canada (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic: posting only | About $5004; $500-$2,0005 | $300-$8007 |
| Mid-tier: content plus engagement | $2,000-$5,0005 | $1,000-$3,0007; $900-$5,000 for 2-3 platforms (freelance)8 |
| Full service with ads | $5,000+4 | - |
| Typical range overall | $500-$5,00013; $500-$3,000 average2 | $500-$5,000+1011 |
Agencies charge much more than freelancers for the same channels - one agency publishes $2,000 a month for basic execution up to $25,000+ for senior-led strategy.6 As a solo manager, your advantage is price and personal attention.
Define exactly what's included
"Social media management" means very different things to different clients, so write each package down:
- Which platforms, and how many posts per week on each.
- Whether you create the content (graphics, captions, short video) or only schedule what the client sends.
- Community management: replying to comments and messages, and how fast.
- Reporting: a monthly report and a strategy call, or not.
- Paid ads: management fee separate from the client's ad spend, always.
Adding a platform should add to the price - each one needs its own formats, timing and replies.
Hourly rates and per-post pricing
Hourly rates run $35-$150 in the US,1 from about $75 for a newer manager to around $200 for 10+ years of experience.4 Most managers sell monthly packages instead and use their hourly rate to build them: time how long a post takes from idea to published, multiply, and add community management and reporting hours. That's also how to answer clients who ask for a per-post price.
Starting out: your first clients
New managers often start at the low end of the basic tier to build a portfolio. Keep the scope tight (one or two platforms, a set number of posts) so a low price doesn't become unlimited work, ask for a three-month minimum so results have time to show, and raise prices for new clients once you have case studies.
Social media management in Canada
- Packages: basic posting $300-$800 CAD a month, mid-tier $1,000-$3,000.7
- Freelancers: $45-$78 an hour at mid-level; $900-$5,000 a month for 2-3 platforms.8
- Toronto: from about $800 a month for freelancers to $8,500+ for agencies.9
- Overall: $500-$5,000+ a month, plus ad spend.1011
Quote in CAD before tax and register for GST/HST once your taxable revenue passes $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. For services, the rate you charge generally depends on where your client is located, and work for clients outside Canada is often zero-rated - check CRA's rules for your situation.
Common questions
How much should I charge a client for social media management?
Most packages fall between $500 and $5,000 a month in the US - basic posting around $500-$2,000, mid-tier $2,000-$5,000. In Canada, basic packages start at $300-$800 CAD.
How much should I charge for social media management per hour?
About $35-$150 an hour in the US, from around $75 for newer managers to $200 for very experienced ones. Canadian mid-level freelancers charge about $45-$78 CAD.
How much should I charge per post?
Time how long a post takes you from idea to published and multiply by your hourly rate, then add community management and reporting to the monthly package.
Should ad spend be included in my fee?
No - charge a management fee for running ads and have the client pay the ad spend directly.
How much does social media management cost in Canada?
Basic posting packages start at $300-$800 CAD a month, mid-tier runs $1,000-$3,000, and freelancers charge about $45-$78 an hour.
Sell audits and strategy sessions, quote retainers
On 1MinuteBooking, clients book a discovery call, a social media audit or a strategy session, and monthly retainers come in as quote requests. Free plan, no time limit.
See the social media consulting booking pageSources
- WebFX, Social Media Management Pricing in 2026
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- Cloud Campaign, Social Media Management Pricing Guide
- Fresh Content Society, Social Media Management Pricing 2026 (agency pricing)
- Unalike (Canada), Social Media Management Pricing in Canada
- Freel (Canada), How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Freelance Social Media
- Tangram (Toronto), Social Media Management Cost Toronto 2026
- One Point Solution (Canada), How Much Does Social Media Management Cost in Canada
- AP Digital (Canada), Social Media Marketing Cost in Canada: 2026 Price Guide
Prices are what these sources published as of September-October 2026. Rates vary by city, season and the job itself - use them as a starting point, not a rule.