What's norm for a Junior's salary
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- steven_segal
Hey My ad agency here in texas finally offered me a junior designer positon (months after working on contract) and offered me 25k a year plus benefits (health 401k etc). That 25 kinda stung a little, is that about average for a designer starting out from college? What's the average where you all live?
- TomBac0
O man u dont wish to know.
- ********0
- 25K doesn't sound that far off for a junior, depending on city, agency, etc.********
- 25K doesn't sound that far off for a junior, depending on city, agency, etc.
- TomBac0
Think on AIGA site u can find info.
- gramme0
25K is what juniors in Baltimore were making in 2003. I think these days, you could negotiate at least 30 depending on your city.
- ukit0
25K = $13/ hr
- According to my quick attempt at math, which could be wrongukit
- wow, that's nothing.gramme
- 1/5th what I charge clients hourly...gramme
- Hey it's a junior position for a youngin'. When I was 23 or whatever I wasn't making any more than that, relatively speaking.********
- Oh I know. I was a paid intern for a year after graduating, and it only amounted to about $18k.gramme
- I think I just lost a nice restaurant ID job to one of those youngins.gramme
- There's always somebody willing to do it for cheaper. If a client don't see the value, walk away. :)********
- Did and done. I wrangled with this guy over two proposals for three months... no more.gramme
- wrong0
That's about right, and considering your debt level, is plenty of money. When I was out of college I lived on that salary for a couple years while paying student loans and making a car payment. You have a strong portfolio, just pay your dues and you'll be fine!
- +1********
- plenty of money? It may be what he can get but plenty of money, no.ukit
- +1
- sigg0
seriously? damn. that's kinda low dude. but if it's a straight jr. graphic designer then i guess so.
in 1998 when i came straight outta college as a "multimedia specialist" i made 50k. crazy that 10+ years later it's been halved.
- ukit0
yeah, i think salaries for print and interactive are pretty different
- gramme0
Spend a couple years there, (hopefully) work through the recession, pack your book full of work, then spring for a low mid-level position where you can reasonably expect $40k, maybe even a little bit more. Do some freelance on the side, preferably stuff that will allow you to get your feet wet with direct client interaction, press checks, photo shoots, etc. After that you'll be able to compete with any mid-level person if your work is good.
- Agreed. It's just the beginning stevie. Remember you're at the bottom, starting out mate.********
- Agreed. It's just the beginning stevie. Remember you're at the bottom, starting out mate.
- ukit0
In all honesty, I think it's too low. I mean, you go to school for 4 years and pay thousands in tuition for a reason, right?
http://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/…
A cashier at McDonalds, according to this, can make over 30k. You're telling me a junior designer should be earning less than a cashier at McDonalds?
- Well that's the problem with the education system currently ukit. You over pay for a degree that wouldn't...********
- ...have been required years ago — it would have been an [underpaid] apprenticeship / internship.********
- Yeah, agreed, was talking with a friend about this exact thing recentlyukit
- Aye, just because someone spent 100K on education doesn't mean they're entitled to 100K in compensation!********
- Well that's the problem with the education system currently ukit. You over pay for a degree that wouldn't...
- JerseyRaindog0
Think on. I started on 6k nearly 20 years ago.
- ukit0
Personally, I'd consider going back into film.
- fyoucher10
When I first got out of school, I made 33k at my first and only FT job (went freelance afterwards). I knew it was a low starting salary at the time (most people were making around 40k). I went in to interview and nerf balls were flying across the office which was in the penthouse of a high rise. Looked and sounded like it was going to be a fun gig. It was. I accepted the job.
I was the lowest paid person in the agency (I ended marrying the HR lady, she told me the stats). I got to work with some super talented folks though, made some great friends, learned a lot, and don't regret it at all. Good times. You're young and just starting out, what do you have to lose. If it feels like the right place for you, take it.I'm a Flash guy btw, so I'm in interactive.
- This is about right. At least 30 - 35k is a good place to start.ambermiro
- +1 for marrying the HR ladyTenaciousG
- marychain0
I feel your pain.
I teach at a design school and am familiar with the career placement stats.
$30,000 is about the norm right now
- Gucci0
I started at 20K a few years back. It was unfair then, it's still unfair now... no matter what bullshit anyone feeds you about the economy.
They'll be milking your teets dry and loving every minute of it.
That being said, if you need the job badly and can build a decent folio of real-world work there. Who are any of us to say.
- Ranger0
I was offered absolute peanuts when I started, you're not gonna get rich with your first job. Just stick it out, get experience, make mistakes and learn from it and then it'll probably be necessary to change places, your wage will jump up loads if you move well. Just don't get bogged down thinking about money yet, otherwise you'll end up making wrong decisions and get stuck down a path that may force you to take pay cuts later to get back on the track you want to be.
- I think you are not gonna get rich by being a creative working for someone else.********
- I think you are not gonna get rich by being a creative working for someone else.
- NONEIS0
Anything less than 30,000 - is unconscionable, and the sign that you are entering into a employer / employee relationship that will likely suck worse than the sheer lack of available cash flow you have.
It depends slightly on the market, but don't expect to make MORE than about 35,000 on year one, it can go up pretty quickly after that.
- steven_segal0
Yea, I'm the workhorse around there anyway, lol. A lot of crap production work, but the atmosphere is great and these people love to drink. Our principal keeps his own stash of Jim beam stashed in the kitchen. If it was a soul sucking job, I would be more concerned. It's just I have massive credit and loan debts to pay off, plus all the normal living expenses (rent, internet, electric, etc). Guess I'll get to hustling that freelance angle.
- It cant hurt to take it while you look for something else, 25,000 is always better than 0NONEIS