money
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- YetiMade
I'm a designer with 7+ years experience. I can't seem to get out of jobs that pay less than 32K a year. I'm a fantastic web designer but for some reason no one wants to pay more. What should I do?
- instrmntl0
move to a large city
- YetiMade0
I am considering it.
- bigtrickagain0
The difference between a small city and a big one are ENORMOUS. I know people that have doubled their salary in 2 years by moving from a town to a metropolis.
- instrmntl0
You have to figure that the people that can afford to pay well will be large companies, or ad agencies that work for them. Unless someone is super famous, you'll have to live in a metropolitan area. Few companies can tolerate having people work offsite. It makes everything pretty difficult.
- YetiMade0
The company I work for now is a fairly large company, with a very good clientele. However, they just don't pay like it. Any recommendations of any larger companies?
- YetiMade0
I'll definitely check them out. I love nature, so Portland seems like it would be right up my alley.
- Amicus0
The easiest way to jump pay grades is to change jobs. If it requires a change in location you should consider a city with a concentration of companies that matches the type of work you enjoy most.
It isn't ALL about the moolah now, is it?
- YetiMade0
I think that's a good idea. Though, Orlando is in a shortage for good design studios. Most of them are full up.
The work I enjoy most is film; I'm currently financing my own puppet slasher musical. I love it!
But my passion as far as a job goes would be web design. I love figuring things out and making things that people use.
Though, it would be nice to get paid better.
- YetiMade0
Thanks man!
- YetiMade0
I'm going to sign off now and hit the hay. I appreciate all of your responses and feedback. Thanks so much for being so helpful!
If anyone ever needs anything, I'm all about paying it forwards.
Cheers!
JC
- acrossthesea0
What's your official title? 32k seems really low for 7 years experience in a non-desolate city. Do they not give raises or performance reviews?
- YetiMade0
I'm a Web Designer with Web Production responsibilities. I design websites and code them up. My expertise is in usability, marketing and branding; all that next to being one of the better designers out there. I would say i'm in the top 10-20% of design awesomeness.
- YetiMade0
I would love to move someplace that will pay me what I'm worth, and with 7+ years of experience, I should be making 45k. By the way, anything that you've seen coded on my portfolio was not done by me--I've only recently, this year, started html/css; I'm starting to learn javascript too. I know that people here pay designers and front end people two separate salaries--because I can do both, I should be getting more, right?
- redrum0
the market is pretty good in San Francisco!
- YetiMade0
That's what I hear! I am planning on moving somewhere within the year. I wonder what it's like other places...
- JSK0
7 yrs you should be making 100k