How Much Does SEO Freelancer Charge In Thailand? [Hourly Rates & Prices]

If you’ve ever tried to look into hiring SEO talent to increase your business revenue, you might’ve encountered plenty of Thais offering the service all over the internet. Thailand has always been the place to go (other than China) to get talented workers or SEO freelancers at pocket-friendly prices, which remains true even in 2024.

But is it safe to hire SEO freelancers from Thailand? At what cost?

In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know about SEO freelancer rates in Thailand. From hourly rates to pricing structures, we’ll provide practical insights to help you budget effectively and find the right SEO professional for your needs.

What Does SEO Work Involve?

Since ‘SEO work’ covers a broad range of tasks that also bleed into other specialized skills, it requires multiple people, specializing in different skills. However, it doesn’t mean that one freelancer can’t possess all the skills needed to get an SEO project off the ground.

But even if they can, are they equally good at all the required tasks?

The answer is obviously a big no. That is why freelancers in the search industry often combine their specialized skills to form groups that offer multiple solutions that an SEO project may require. Industry-speak refers to these groups as agencies, though all of them might not be registered as such.

The cost of hiring SEO freelancers depends on a few factors, including what they specialize in. Compiled from data from Payscale, the table below will give you an idea of the hourly rates for different specialized roles in SEO:

Current SEO Freelancer Rates in Thailand

Based on the latest market data, here’s a comprehensive breakdown of hourly rates for different SEO and digital marketing roles in Thailand:

Market Insights

Average Base Rate

The average hourly rate for SEO work in Thailand ranges from THB 550-650 ($15.50-$18.30 USD), representing a significant increase from previous years and reflecting the growing demand for digital marketing expertise.

Agency vs. Freelancer Rates

Creative agencies in Bangkok typically charge around THB 2,500 per hour for specialized SEO services, while independent freelancers offer more competitive rates ranging from THB 350-1,200 depending on their expertise and specialization.

Experience Level Impact

Mid-level digital marketing specialists in Thailand earn between THB 28,000-39,000 monthly, which translates to approximately THB 175-245 per hour based on a standard 40-hour work week.

Factors Affecting SEO Rates in Thailand

1. Specialization Level

• Basic SEO tasks: THB 200-400/hour
• Technical SEO: THB 500-800/hour
• E-commerce SEO: THB 600-1,000/hour
• Enterprise SEO: THB 800-1,500/hour

2. Geographic Location

• Bangkok: Premium rates (20-30% higher)
• Chiang Mai: Moderate rates
• Other provinces: Lower rates (15-25% below Bangkok)

3. Client Type

• Local SMEs: THB 300-600/hour
• International clients: THB 600-1,200/hour
• Enterprise clients: THB 800-1,500/hour

4. Service Complexity

• Content optimization: THB 250-500/hour
• Technical audits: THB 500-900/hour
• Link building: THB 400-700/hour
• Strategy development: THB 600-1,200/hour

Why Thailand SEO Rates Are Competitive

Thailand offers an attractive balance between cost-effectiveness and quality. The rates are:

• Lower than Western markets (US/EU rates typically 3-5x higher)
• Higher than other Southeast Asian countries like Philippines or Vietnam
• Competitive with regional standards while offering English proficiency and technical expertise

Tips for Hiring SEO Freelancers in Thailand

For Businesses:

1. Budget THB 500-800/hour for experienced SEO specialists
2. Expect monthly retainers of THB 15,000-40,000 for ongoing SEO work
3. Verify portfolios and ask for case studies in your industry
4. Consider time zone advantages for international businesses

For Freelancers:

1. Research your niche rates – specialized skills command premium pricing
2. Factor in your experience level when setting rates
3. Consider offering package deals for better client retention
4. Stay updated with market trends to adjust pricing accordingly

Key Market Insights for Thailand 2025:

• Creative agencies in Bangkok charge around 2,500 THB per hour What Does a Creative Agency in Bangkok, Thailand Charge? – Lexicon for specialized services
• Mid-level digital marketing specialists earn between 28,000-39,000 THB monthly How much do digital marketing jobs pay in Thailand? | Thaiger
• The Thailand market generally offers lower rates compared to Western markets but higher rates than the original Indian data you referenced

Average Base Hourly Rate: THB 550-650 ($15.50-$18.30 USD)

Types of Payment Options For Freelance SEO Work

Another factor that influences the pricing of SEO freelancers is their payment cycle. The most common among these is hourly, where you’re charged based on the number of hours required to work on your project. Of course, since SEO projects require so many things, the timeline may extend (they usually do).

Hence, SEO freelancers from Thailand usually mention their hourly rates and give you an estimate for the number of hours they’ll need to put in, depending on the scope of your project.

To understand the price advantage in Thailand, consider this: Upwork – the go-to freelancer onboarding platform for companies like Microsoft, Airbnb, and other giants, lists the hourly rates for SEO freelancing at $20 – $35 per hour.

When you compare that with the listed Thai SEO freelancers on competitor platforms like freelancer.com and Truelancer, the average asking price is around $7 per hour – with the lowest being around $3 per hour, and as high as $25 per hour.

Since SEO projects almost always require more time than expected, and highly experienced freelancers can even charge as high as $300 per hour, this model of charging becomes unsustainable quickly for large projects. Which leads us to the other payment options offered by SEO freelancers and agencies in Thailand:

• Monthly: The most common payment cycle option preferred by both freelancers and SEO agencies in Thailand. Monthly rates can vary from INR 16,000 ($200) per month to over $10,000 per month.

• Project-Based: If the freelancer asks for project-based pricing that means they’ll come up with a fixed fee depending on the scope of your SEO project. Flat rates can range anywhere between INR 20,000 – INR 50,000.

• Performance-Based: This is a rare model that is only used by those people who guarantee certain results – you pay only if they reach the results they said they would at the beginning of the campaign. However, as you can imagine, with that kind of claim, the prices would be exorbitant too.

Other Factors Affecting SEO Freelancer Rates in Thailand

There are a few other factors that affect the asking rates of SEO freelancers in Thailand. These include:

Expertise or Track Record

SEO freelancers charge based on their main skills and previous work record. For example, a freelancer with a proven track record on their portfolio with diverse clients will charge more than one without a portfolio. This also applies to skills – for example, a professional may charge more if their specialization or expertise lies in local SEO.

Niche

Certain industries or niches may require specialized knowledge, and as such, SEO freelancers charge more if they have proven expertise and experience in those niches.

Experience

Finally, the most important factor in determining if the asking price of an SEO freelancer is justified or not is experience:

• How much experience do they have?
• In what roles?
• Doing what kind of SEO work?
• Getting what kind of results?

Conclusion

Thailand is a great destination if you want to hire an SEO freelancer at reasonable rates for your business needs. Its ample talent pool along with the low cost of labor is the reason there are so many SEO agencies and freelancers in Thailand. Of course, that doesn’t mean all low-cost options will deliver similar results – hence this conundrum of how to choose a freelancer and at what cost arises.

SEO freelancing involves a lot of work that may differ based on the business and particular project, so pricing rates and systems vary. Other factors that determine the pricing of SEO freelancer rates in Thailand are their specialized skills, experience, expertise and track record, and the particular industry or niche they work in. There are two main systems of pricing – hourly and monthly (though project-based pricing is pretty popular too), and both options cover a wide range ($15 – $25/ hour and $60 – $10,000).

Hence, most freelancers either offer a bunch of services solo or group up with other freelancers with specialized SEO skills as an agency. Whatever option you go with for your business, it’s important to select a freelance SEO professional based on their past work record and experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What factors affect the rates of SEO freelancers in Thailand?

Rates depend on experience, project complexity, goals, and market competition. Experienced freelancers charge more.

2. What are the common payment options for hiring SEO freelancers in Thailand?

The common payment options for hiring SEO freelancers in Thailand include:

1. Hourly rates, based on the number of hours required to work on the project
2. Monthly rates, which can vary from $500 per month to over $10,000 per month
3. Project-based pricing, with flat rates ranging anywhere between INR 5,000 – INR 50,000
4. Performance-based pricing, where payment is based on achieving specific results.

3. What is the typical range for hourly rates of SEO freelancers in Thailand compared to international platforms?

On global platforms like Upwork, the average hourly rates for SEO freelancing are listed at $15 – $35 per hour. In comparison, Thai SEO freelancers on competitor platforms like freelancer.com and Truelancer typically ask for an average of $5 per hour, with the range spanning from $10 to $25 per hour.

4. How to evaluate an SEO freelancer’s skills before hiring in Thailand?

Check their portfolio, client feedback, past work examples, and conduct interviews or trial projects.

5. How long until SEO freelancers in Thailand produce results?

Time varies based on project complexity and competitiveness, often taking months to see significant improvements. Patience is crucial for long-term growth.

6. How should businesses evaluate and choose freelance SEO professionals in Thailand?

When selecting a freelance SEO professional in Thailand, evaluating their past work record, experience, and expertise in the specific SEO tasks required for the business is important. Additionally, considering the freelancer’s specialized skills and track record in their particular industry or niche is important to making an informed decision.