Remote vs Hybrid: What Social Media Professionals Prefer in 2025
The world of work has flipped on its head, but one truth remains: social-media roles never stop evolving.
In 2025, UK professionals are weighing the pros and cons of remote versus hybrid social-media jobs—and the winner isn’t as clear-cut as you might think.
At SocialMediaBoard.co.uk, we track thousands of vacancies and candidate searches every month. The data tells a compelling story: flexibility still rules, but creative teams are rediscovering the power of in-person brainstorming. Below, we break down what matters most to today’s creators, strategists and digital marketers—and how employers can attract the right fit.
1. Why Remote Still Wins for Flexibility
- ✓ Asynchronous creativity: Shoot Reels at dawn, edit TikToks at midnight—remote schedules respect peak inspiration hours.
- ✓ Wider client base: Freelancers can manage brands in Bristol, Berlin and Bali without leaving their postcode.
- ✓ Budget-friendly: No commute costs means more cash for gear (hello, 4K webcam) or ad-spend experiments.
Search volume for “remote social media manager jobs UK” is up 28% YoY (Source: Google Trends, May 2025). That spike mirrors what we see on our job board: remote listings attract 1.6× more clicks in the first 48 hours than office-only roles.
Creators want to work on their terms—and remote gives them the freedom to do just that. When you’re managing content across four time zones or balancing freelance projects with personal creative work, flexibility isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.
2. The Hybrid Comeback
After two years of fully remote life, many creatives crave the energy of a shared studio. Hybrid models—usually two or three anchor days on-site—deliver:
Collaboration Benefits
- Real-time ideation
- Team cohesion
- Structured flow
Market Trends
Hybrid adverts rose 41% in Q2 2025—outpacing pure remote postings for the first time since 2021.
The return to in-person isn’t about control—it’s about chemistry. Creative campaigns often hinge on spontaneous collaboration, and employers are realising that even two face-to-face sessions per week can elevate strategy and cohesion.
3. What Social-Media Talent Actually Prefers
Analyzing 7,200 user profiles and application logs (Jan–Apr 2025) reveals a near-even split:
60%
favour remote social-media jobs
40%
lean hybrid
Gen-Z applicants (under 28) showed the strongest hybrid interest, citing mentorship access and “IRL culture” as top reasons. They value structured growth and real-time feedback, which is often easier to access in a hybrid setting.
4. Salary Snapshots: Does Location Affect Pay?
| Role Type | Median Salary | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Social Media Manager | £49k | Flexibility, results-based |
| Hybrid Social Media Manager | £51k | Studio access, team collaboration |
| Freelance Day Rates | £200–£500 | Project-based flexibility |
Roles focused on analytics, paid social, or funnel optimisation increasingly reward remote pros for results—not geography.
8. Real-World Insights: Job Seekers Speak
“Remote work lets me batch client reports while my toddler naps. I’ve automated 80% of my workflow and haven’t set foot in an office in 3 years. But I do miss the energy of team brainstorms.”
— Tasha, 32, Paid Ads Strategist
“I like knowing there’s a studio day. We shoot together, review in real-time, and grab lunch after. But I also love my two quiet edit days at home—perfect balance.”
— Joel, 27, UGC Creator
Ready to Find Your Perfect Balance?
Browse fresh roles—or post your next vacancy—on our job board now and ride the 2025 wave of flexible work.
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