How much does SEO cost in the US?

The VouchQuote team · 13 October 2026

This guide is for United States. Also available for:United Kingdom India

Most small businesses in the United States pay between $750 and $3,000 a month for SEO. Local SEO for a single location sits at the low end; national campaigns in competitive markets run to $5,000 a month or more.

Typical price ranges in the US

Local SEO for one location: $500 to $1,500 a month
National or e-commerce SEO: $1,500 to $5,000 a month
One-off SEO audit: $500 to $5,000
Google Ads management: $500 to $2,500 a month, or 10% to 20% of ad spend

Figures are typical ranges in US dollars for independent freelancers and small agencies in the United States, before any sales tax. They are our own estimates, not quotes.

What pushes the price up

Keyword competition, the number of locations and pages, whether content and link building are included, and technical problems on your current site.

What matters for search in the US

For local businesses, the Google Business Profile, reviews and consistent listings on sites such as Yelp carry a lot of weight. Businesses with several locations need a page and a profile for each one, which raises the monthly fee.

How to compare quotes fairly

Ask each provider to list the work for the first three months, not just a monthly fee. Be wary of anyone who guarantees a number one ranking: nobody controls the search results. On VouchQuote every quote follows the same structure and at most three professionals reply, so you can compare them side by side. Quotes on VouchQuote are shown in US dollars.

Questions to ask before you hire

What exactly will you do each month?
Which results do you report on, and how often?
Do you write the content, or do I?
Is there a minimum contract?

Quick answers

How much does SEO cost per hour?

US consultants typically charge $75 to $200 an hour. Monthly retainers are more common than hourly work.

How long does SEO take to work?

Three to six months for steady movement, and up to a year in competitive markets.

Are cheap SEO packages worth it?

Packages under $300 a month rarely include real content or outreach. Ask for the list of monthly tasks and judge it on that.

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Prices are typical ranges in United States, in US dollars, for independent freelancers and small agencies, before sales tax. How we work out price ranges.