Survey highlights gender trends in community management

A 2026 survey of 471 community managers, conducted by BDM in collaboration with Iconosquare, reveals that the profession is still mostly female, with 64% of respondents being women. This represents a 5 percentage point drop from the 2025 survey, though the role continues to be dominated by women.

Age and salary data for community managers

The majority of community managers are under 30, with 57% falling into this age group. The median salary for the profession in 2026 is 31,000 euros gross annually. Those with permanent contracts earn an average of 32,390 euros, a 5.4% increase from the previous year, though the gender pay gap has widened to 9.9% in favor of men.

Employment sectors and contract types

Most community managers work in private companies, with 60% of respondents in this sector. Permanent contracts are the most common employment status, with 65% of respondents holding this type of contract. Freelancing, internships, and fixed-term contracts account for the remaining 35%.

Education and training backgrounds

Over half of the respondents, 59%, hold a bachelor's degree. Communication and journalism are the most common fields of study, with 42% of respondents having pursued these disciplines. Communication schools are the preferred training institution, with 51% of respondents attending them compared to business schools and web schools.

Job search methods and trends

Job seekers primarily use job sites, with 39% of respondents finding their positions this way. This represents a 5 percentage point increase from the previous year. Other common methods include social networks, recommendations, internships, and school placements, each accounting for around 13% of responses.

Key responsibilities and time commitments

The main tasks of community managers in 2026 include data analysis, reporting, and strategy, cited by 81% of respondents. Animating social media accounts remains the core responsibility, cited by 90% of respondents, though it has decreased slightly from 2025. This task is also the most time-consuming, identified by 27% of respondents.

Preferred social networks and platforms

LinkedIn is the most important social network for community managers, cited by 75% of respondents. Instagram is closely behind at 74%. Facebook is used by 56%, while TikTok’s importance has declined to 27%, down from 2025. YouTube is seen as more promising than TikTok, with 28% of respondents citing it as such.

Tools and technologies used

Most community managers use Meta Business Suite for managing social networks, with 66% of respondents using it. Canva is the preferred tool for creating visuals, used by 78% of respondents. Google Workspace is more widely adopted than Microsoft Office, with 53% versus 52% of users.

AI usage and concerns

Generative artificial intelligence is used by 95% of community managers, with 75% using it daily. Common uses include content writing, idea generation, and data analysis. ChatGPT remains popular, but tools like Claude and Google Gemini are gaining ground. Concerns about AI’s impact are mixed, with 51% expecting a positive effect and 26% fearing a negative one, particularly among interns and fixed-term employees.