25% of the 30% work for a company as a search marketer? Guess that's me, but I just got "downsized". I'm probably not alone out there either, I did SEO for this company for 2 years...and they never really "got it" as far as the importance of conversion or organic traffic.

It's fine, because they're really spread too thinly to utilise a concrete SEO/SEM strategy, they only have one web designer, and it would take him weeks to implement the changes I would want to implement.

I think most SEO's that are in it for the long haul realise that they can work for themselves, or a small SEO company, and get the same benefits as though they were working for a firm. (without going into the office from 9-5).

I read a report recently that says it takes about 10 years to become really proficient at something...I'd agree with that in principle, the people who've been in SEO for that long (and are still active) can write their own tickets.

I wonder, as well as the numbers above, how many people tried doing SEO, and gave up within a year, two years, etc...