What is the average salary for an Email Deliverability Specialist with 2+ years of experience in the USA or EU?
Matthew Whittaker
Co-founder & CTO, Suped
Published 25 May 2025
Updated 19 Aug 2025
6 min read
Understanding the compensation for an Email Deliverability Specialist with 2+ years of experience in the USA or EU can be quite complex. The role itself is multifaceted, and the data available online often varies significantly based on the source, specific job title, and region. I've seen figures that range widely, reflecting the diverse responsibilities this position can entail.
Many factors influence what someone in this critical role can expect to earn, including the exact duties, the size and type of the employing company, and geographical location. This article aims to provide a clearer picture based on available data and insights from the industry.
The salary picture: USA versus EU
When I look at salary data for Email Deliverability Specialists in the USA, I find quite a range. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for this role in the US is around $64,246, with a significant portion of jobs falling between $63,000 and $68,999. Other sources, like Glassdoor, report a higher average of $101,558 per year for a broader 'Email Deliverability' role, or even $118,950 for an 'Email Deliverability Consultant'.
In Europe, the figures tend to be lower, which is generally consistent with salary trends across many industries. For instance, RemoteRocketship indicates an average of €33,010 per year for remote email marketing specialists in Europe. While this isn't exclusively for deliverability, it provides a general benchmark. Payscale suggests an average of €41,000 per year for email marketing skills in Germany, further emphasizing the regional differences.
It is clear that defining an average salary for an Email Deliverability Specialist is challenging due to the varying definitions of the role and the significant geographical differences. It is crucial to consider these factors when evaluating compensation expectations.
Defining the Email Deliverability Specialist role
The Email Deliverability Specialist role is not monolithic; it encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities. With 2+ years of experience, a specialist is typically expected to have a solid understanding of the core principles, but the depth of involvement in different areas can vary greatly. This often explains the wide range in reported salaries.
The scope of work can range from highly technical tasks to more strategic and communicative functions. Some roles might be heavily focused on the technical infrastructure of email sending, while others might lean more towards policy adherence or client communication. I believe a comprehensive understanding of the job titles for deliverability specialists can shed more light on salary expectations.
Enforcement work: Identifying and resolving issues such as blocklist (or blacklist) listings, spam trap hits, and ensuring email lands in the inbox.
Policy work: Developing and implementing internal and external email sending policies, understanding industry benchmarks, and adapting to new regulations.
Communication work: Educating internal teams and external stakeholders about the importance of deliverability and best practices.
Database management: Focus on list hygiene, segmentation, and managing recipient data to ensure optimal sending performance and avoid spam traps.
Key factors influencing compensation
Location significantly impacts salary. Major tech hubs and cities with a high cost of living, such as New York, San Francisco, or London, typically offer higher salaries than smaller cities or rural areas. This is a common trend across many professions, and email deliverability is no exception. Also, a company's size and sector play a role: large enterprises or Email Service Providers (ESPs) often have more structured compensation plans and may offer higher salaries compared to smaller businesses or agencies.
While 2+ years of experience is a good foundation, becoming a true expert in deliverability often takes more time. Professionals with 5+ or 10+ years of experience, particularly those who have navigated complex challenges like recovering domain reputation from a blocklist, can command significantly higher salaries. Their deep understanding of how email blacklists (or blocklists) work and how to recover domain reputation makes them highly valuable.
Technical proficiency
Demonstrating expertise in DNS, email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC), and IP warming is crucial. Understanding DNSBLs (DNS blacklists) and their impact on deliverability is also highly valued.
Strategic and communication skills
The ability to communicate complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders, develop clear policies, and understand the broader business implications of deliverability is often sought after in higher-paying roles.
Advancing your career and compensation
To increase your earning potential as an Email Deliverability Specialist, continuous learning is paramount. The email landscape is constantly evolving, with new challenges from mailbox providers and new authentication standards emerging regularly. Staying current with industry best practices and emerging technologies is essential. Consider pursuing online deliverability training or advanced certifications to boost your value.
The journey of an Email Deliverability Specialist with 2+ years of experience is dynamic, with compensation being influenced by a mix of technical skills, strategic acumen, geographic location, and years of hands-on experience. While general salary figures offer a starting point, it is the specific blend of your capabilities and the demands of the role that truly define your earning potential.
I encourage anyone in this field to continuously invest in their knowledge and skills, especially given the rapid evolution of email security and deliverability best practices. The value you bring to a company by ensuring emails reach the inbox is immeasurable, and with the right expertise, your compensation will reflect that.
By focusing on deepening your technical understanding, honing your problem-solving abilities for deliverability issues, and effectively communicating the impact of your work, you can significantly enhance your career trajectory and earning power in this specialized field.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Actively participate in email deliverability forums and communities to stay updated on emerging trends.
Specialize in specific email sending platforms or industries to become a go-to expert.
Develop strong analytical skills to interpret email performance data effectively.
Focus on both technical configuration and strategic sender reputation management.
Common pitfalls
Underestimating the impact of non-technical skills like communication and policy development.
Relying solely on outdated salary surveys, as the field evolves rapidly.
Failing to quantify the direct business impact of deliverability improvements in monetary terms.
Not accounting for geographical cost-of-living differences when comparing salaries.
Expert tips
Seek out roles that offer diverse exposure to different aspects of email deliverability.
Negotiate for compensation based on the unique value you bring, not just generic averages.
Build a network with other deliverability professionals to share insights and opportunities.
Consider a
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says that while $80k might seem high, deliverability jobs often require a deep understanding of DNS systems, blacklists (or blocklists), engagement metrics, reputation management, and IP warming.
2019-10-03 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks notes that two years of experience may not be enough to be considered an expert, suggesting that ten or more years of experience can truly make a difference in expertise.
