How much do Graphic Designers make with a bachelor’s degree?
I am a senior in high school thinking about going into graphic design while I attend UW-Madison and need to do research about the job I want to go into. I know all those career websites say AVERAGE salary, but I want an idea of how much one makes with a bachelor’s degree. If not a bachelor’s degree, how much with an associates? If anybody, especially graphic designers can help, please help me in trying to find my future. Thanks!
You’re going to have a hard time finding salary statistics for designers based on associates vs. bachelors degrees. My guess is probably that a study like that doesn’t exist. How much you earn as a designer rests on three things (more or less).
1. HOW GOOD YOU ARE. Talented designers are more in demand, and because of that, they have more bargaining power when it comes to salary and can expect to be paid more.
2. WHERE YOU WORK AND FOR WHOM. Because of the cost of living differences around the country, some areas pay higher salaries. This tends not to matter though because since the cost of living is so high in those areas, it all averages out. Also, who you work for makes a difference. Bigger companies and firms have more resources and con afford to pay higher wages than a small organization.
3. YOUR EXPERIENCE. The more years you have under your belt in the business, the more you know, and the more you know, the better you are……….the more you make.
Ultimately it’s your portfolio, not your degree that determines your pay. I know plenty of designers with BFAs that are plain bad designers. I also know unbelievably talented designers who are self taught. Employers know that a degree is no guarantee of a good designer, which is why they look at your work before deciding how much you’re worth to them.
Hope that helps.
Any other questions: mattymjb@yahoo.com
You’re going to have a hard time finding salary statistics for designers based on associates vs. bachelors degrees. My guess is probably that a study like that doesn’t exist. How much you earn as a designer rests on three things (more or less).
1. HOW GOOD YOU ARE. Talented designers are more in demand, and because of that, they have more bargaining power when it comes to salary and can expect to be paid more.
2. WHERE YOU WORK AND FOR WHOM. Because of the cost of living differences around the country, some areas pay higher salaries. This tends not to matter though because since the cost of living is so high in those areas, it all averages out. Also, who you work for makes a difference. Bigger companies and firms have more resources and con afford to pay higher wages than a small organization.
3. YOUR EXPERIENCE. The more years you have under your belt in the business, the more you know, and the more you know, the better you are……….the more you make.
Ultimately it’s your portfolio, not your degree that determines your pay. I know plenty of designers with BFAs that are plain bad designers. I also know unbelievably talented designers who are self taught. Employers know that a degree is no guarantee of a good designer, which is why they look at your work before deciding how much you’re worth to them.
Hope that helps.
Any other questions: mattymjb@yahoo.com
References :
Graphic Designer – 7 years