Is Community Building a Lucrative Career in 2026?

I recently visited a college to talk about community building as a career option. Graduating students asked several questions. They mostly wanted to know about the opportunities for community builders in 2026.

Community building has evolved a lot in the last 10 years. It used to be a side activity for hobbyists and for business - it was a ‘customer support’ function.

However, I see a new trend emerging. Business are now looking at community building as a serious part of their business operations. The marketing and customer success department are now provisioning dedicated budget for community building activities.

A well-run community can help with organic customer acquisition, retention and building loyal user base. It’s one of the main reasons that community manager jobs are on the rise in the recent times.

Community building requires a mixed skill set [Read - Top Skills for Community Builders]. It also requires consistency without burn out.

I’d like to hear from our fellow members: What are your thoughts on career as a community builder?