Freelance SEO rates vary widely based on experience, location, and deliverables. In Canada, expect $75–$200 CAD per hour for competent freelancers. Entry-level practitioners with 1–2 years of experience often charge $50–$75/hour, mid-level specialists with 3–5 years sit around $100–$150/hour, and senior strategists with 7+ years and documented results charge $150–$250/hour or more. For monthly retainers, most freelancers price between $1,000–$5,000 CAD depending on deliverables. A basic local SEO package (GMB optimization, citation cleanup, monthly reporting) might run $1,000–$1,500. Comprehensive campaigns for competitive niches—technical audits, content strategy, link building, ongoing optimization—typically start at $2,500–$3,500 monthly. High-stakes projects in finance, legal, or e-commerce can exceed $5,000. Project-based pricing also exists: a one-time technical audit might cost $800–$2,500, while a full website migration strategy could run $3,000–$8,000. The tradeoff is simple—you pay less per hour with retainers, but commit to ongoing spend. Project work offers flexibility but often costs more per deliverable. Geography matters less than it used to. A Toronto-based freelancer and one in Moncton might charge similar rates if both demonstrate comparable results. What drives price is portfolio quality, niche expertise, and whether they're doing the work themselves or subcontracting. At Ottawa SEO, we've seen clients burned by $30/hour offshore freelancers who generated toxic links, and others overpaying $200/hour for consultants who only produced reports without execution. The sweet spot for most small-to-mid businesses is $100–$150/hour with someone who shows you ranking movement and traffic growth within 90 days, not just deliverables. Always ask for case examples in your industry, verify they're doing the work personally, and start with a defined project before committing to a retainer. Cheap rarely works in SEO, but expensive doesn't guarantee results either.