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AIGA - Aquent Salary Survey 2009
AIGA - Aquent Salary Survey 2009
AIGA - Aquent Salary Survey 2009
Credits
Benefits
Designer
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
Copywriter
Art director
Introduction
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $110
Web designer
Solo designer
Compensation
Senior designer
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,100 $91,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
Benefits provided
Contents
Content developer
Entry-level designer
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $114
Web/Senior/Executive producer
Advice from design professionals
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
44
43
41
40
39
36
35
34
32
30
28
26
24
6
4
38
37
22
20
18
17
3
1
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $102,500 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $110
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,600 $91,500 $94,100 $98,100 $102,100 $106,000 $115
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $113
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $100,000 $102,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $112
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $110
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $117
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $119
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $113
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $114
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $115
Letter from the executive director
Introduction
Letter from the executive director
100 101.89 96.67 98.46 96.76 90.73 94.79 98.22 98.46 94.24 86.66 70.02 64.06 68.18 50.66 54.55
105
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
APR jul oct jan apr jul oct jan apr jul oct jan apr jul oct jan
2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009
Introduction
Characteristics of survey respondents
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Methodology For more information on methodology used for this survey, visit www.designsalaries.org.
Introduction
Median total cash compensation 2000–2009
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006* 2007 2008 2009 POSITION
$105,000
Owner, Partner, Principal
$100,000
Creative/Design director
$95,000
Art director
$90,000
Senior designer
$85,000
Designer
$80,000
Entry-level designer
$75,000
Print production artist
$70,000
Web designer
$65,000
Copywriter
$60,000
Print production manager
$55,000
Marketing/New business
manager or director
$50,000
Web developer
(front-end/interface systems)
$45,000
Web programmer/Developer
(back-end systems)
$40,000
Web/Senior/
Executive producer
$35,000
Content developer
$30,000
A note on the 2006 methodology NOTE: Results not shown if fewer than
5 valid cases or 10 valid values.
In 2006, a different research methodology was used that may have underestimated * may
Change in 2006 survey methodology
have affected measurements. 2006
income. The 2006 data are reflected by dots and excluded from the trend line; the data unavailable for Print production
manager and Web programmer/
trend line from 2005 through the most recent data is reflected by a dotted line. The Developer (back-end systems).
2007 data are based on the same methodology as all previous years except 2006.
Introduction
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006* 2007 2008 2009 ANNUAL RATE
2.2% 3.4% 2.8% 1.6% 2.3% 2.7% 3.4% 3.2% 2.8% 2.9%
$52,000 $60,000 $56,000 $55,000 $55,000 $60,000 $49,000 $60,000 $60,000 $58,000 +1.2%
+15.4% -6.7% -1.8% 0.0% +9.1% -18.3% +22.4% 0.0% -3.3%
$100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $93,000 $100,000 $100,000 $80,000 $113,000 $105,000 $101,500 +0.2%
0.0% 0.0% -7.0% +7.5% 0.0% -20.0% +41.3% -7.1% -3.3%
$85,000 $84,000 $85,000 $85,000 $85,000 $90,000 $80,000 $98,600 $100,000 $97,400 +1.5%
-1.2% +1.2% 0.0% 0.0% +5.9% -11.1% +23.3% +1.4% -2.6%
$55,000 $62,500 $62,000 $60,000 $65,000 $65,000 $60,900 $72,000 $75,000 $70,000 +2.7%
+13.6% -0.8% -3.2% +8.3% 0.0% -6.3% +18.2% +4.2% -6.7%
$52,300 $54,000 $53,000 $55,000 $55,000 $56,000 $52,000 $62,000 $65,000 $65,000 +2.4%
+3.3% -1.9% +3.8% 0.0% +1.8% -7.1% +19.2% +4.8% 0.0%
$38,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $41,200 $42,500 $39,800 $45,000 $45,000 $45,000 +1.9%
+5.3% 0.0% 0.0% +3.0% +3.2% -6.4% +13.1% 0.0% 0.0%
$31,000 $32,000 $30,000 $31,000 $32,000 $33,000 $35,000 $36,000 $36,000 +1.9%
+3.2% -6.3% +3.3% +3.2% +3.1% +6.1% +2.9% 0.0%
$35,000 $38,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $44,800 $47,500 $45,000 +2.8%
+8.6% +5.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% +12.0% +6.0% -5.3%
$45,000 $52,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $52,000 $48,000 $55,000 $55,000 $55,000 +2.3%
+15.6% -3.8% 0.0% 0.0% +4.0% -7.7% +14.6% 0.0% 0.0%
$44,800 $50,000 $54,000 $58,000 $58,000 $55,000 $65,000 $62,000 $60,500 $60,000 +3.3%
+11.6% +8.0% +7.4% 0.0% -5.2% +18.2% -4.6% -2.4% -0.8%
$50,000 $48,000 $50,000 $52,000 $52,500 $55,000 $62,000 $62,000 $60,000 +2.0%
-4.0% +4.2% +4.0% +1.0% +4.8% 0.0% -3.2%
$51,400 $55,000 $58,200 $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 $60,000 $60,000 $65,000 $62,000 +2.1%
+7.0% +5.8% -14.1% +10.0% +9.1% 0.0% 0.0% +8.3% -4.6%
$67,500 $65,000 $62,900 $56,000 $56,000 $60,600 $65,000 $65,000 $65,000 -0.4%
-3.7% -3.2% -11.0% 0.0% +8.2% 0.0% 0.0%
$65,000 $69,000 $75,000 $65,000 $65,000 $70,000 $54,100 $75,000 $75,000 $74,500 +1.5%
+6.2% +8.7% -13.3% 0.0% +7.7% -22.7% +38.6% 0.0% -0.7%
$47,000 $47,500 $50,000 $46,500 $55,000 $65,000 $70,500 $58,800 $59,000 $52,000 +1.1%
+1.1% +5.3% -7.0% +18.3% +18.2% +8.5% -16.6% +0.3% -11.9%
Introduction
David C. Baker
Everyone knows these are tough Sure, these things are still nice to
times. Any economic downturn is have. But aren’t you amazed how
challenging—this one is particularly much you can get done with just
bad. But graphic designers have a laptop and a cell phone? Be
some special advantages. grateful you’re not paying rent
on a steel mill.
First, you actually make something.
Economic bubbles happen when a Finally, you can work without
lot of people start making a lot of customers. A shoe repair shop is
money by figuring out new ways to idle if there aren’t shoes to fix. But a
manipulate other people’s money. designer can always keep busy. Think
But designers make money the old- of how many design problems there
fashioned way: by figuring out a way are out there to solve. Think of how fun
to solve a problem that no one’s it can be to work without a client. Think
Michael Bierut is a partner
thought of before, and then having of this as research and development. in the New York office
the skill to turn that idea into reality. And try not to think about not getting of Pentagram.
People who make things—whether paid, which is the only downside. But
physical or digital, an artifact or this is a temporary one. The time you
an experience—are in the minority invest now will pay off later, without a
these days. But it’s a powerful minority, doubt. Be patient, hold on tight, be
since the people that actually create stingy with your money, but spend
things of lasting value are the ones your creativity wildly. You’ll come out
who make the rest of the economic on the other end better than ever.
system possible.
Be broadly talented,
with a focus
The search for quality work that is both valued and secure
has forced us to map out new courses of action to reach
this end goal. I’ve found that the best advice applies
in both hard times and good, at any professional stage.
Be a connected and
flexible team player
Even though you’re talented, smart, If you’ve just been laid off
likeable and hardworking, there may (and you’re not alone):
not be a clear path for moving your You may find opportunities at smaller,
career forward in this economy. Here’s independent studios if their workload
some advice geared to various levels is solid and if you have skills that are
of experience and commitment to in demand.
being a designer.
Pursue a past client or vendor if they
If you’re completing an formed a high opinion of you—there
undergraduate degree: may be an appropriate spot for your
Consider staying in school to work skills within their organization (doing
on a graduate degree. It can be an web design, for example).
opportunity to strengthen your
mastery of digital media, or to expand You might open your own creative
Shel Perkins is principal of Shel
Perkins & Associates in San
your skills in the areas of strategy boutique, if you have an entrepre-
Francisco and heads the AIGA and innovation. The hard part here neurial spirit and adequate start-up
Center for Practice Management.
is paying the tuition! capital. It also helps to have a client
or two lined up.
In the last recession, most employment
opportunities were on the client side. Consider leaving the U.S. to do creative
Lots of big companies have their own work in a foreign market where
in-house creative departments. Do demand is stronger. (Until recently,
some serious research and focus on this was a growing trend in advertising,
corporations that are profitable within industrial design and architecture.)
industries that are stable or growing.
Last but not least, you always have
If you’re already working: the option of leaving design entirely.
Stay put! Don’t make a jump unless If the thrill is gone, and you have
you’re recruited away by a competitor other saleable skills, the time might
who is clearly more successful and be right for that really big change
profitable than your current employer. you’ve been thinking about.
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $91,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $113
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $81,500 $86,100 $95,100 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,100 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $110
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $81,100 $89,100 $91,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $116
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $102,500 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $110
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,600 $91,500 $94,100 $98,100 $102,100 $106,000 $115
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $113
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $100,000 $102,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $112
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $110
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $117
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $119
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $113
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $114
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $115
Compensation overview
Owner, Partner, Principal $60,000 $90,000 $128,000 $75,000 $101,500 $156,500 1,011
Print production artist $34,000 $42,000 $51,600 $35,000 $45,000 $57,000 481
Print production manager $45,000 $55,000 $70,000 $48,000 $60,000 $72,000 455
Marketing/New business
$55,000 $71,000 $90,000 $60,000 $75,000 $95,000 387
manager or director
Web developer
$50,000 $60,000 $72,000 $50,000 $62,000 $75,000 384
(front-end/interface systems)
Web programmer/Developer
$50,000 $65,000 $79,000 $52,500 $65,000 $80,000 233
(back-end systems)
Web/Senior/
$55,000 $70,000 $90,000 $60,000 $74,500 $90,000 183
Executive producer
NOTE: The Salary/Wage Comparison graphically depicts the three salaries indicated in the table. The black horizontal bar represents the range from 25th to 75th percentile, and the red vertical bar indicates the median.
Compensation overview 17
Solo designer
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$44,800 $75,000
18 Compensation
SALARY/WAGES SALARY/WAGE COMPARISON TOTAL COMPENSATION RESPONDENTS
25TH% MEDIAN 75TH% 25TH% MEDIAN 75TH%
Solo designer 19
Owner, Partner, Principal
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G_f\e`o
8kcXekX
;XccXj
8ljk`e
FicXe[f
?fljkfe
D`Xd`
$52,000 $158,000
20 Compensation
SALARY/WAGES SALARY/WAGE COMPARISON TOTAL COMPENSATION RESPONDENTS
25TH% MEDIAN 75TH% 25TH% MEDIAN 75TH%
J\Xkkc\
GfikcXe[
D`ee\Xgfc`j&Jk%GXlc 9fjkfe
;\kif`k
:c\m\cXe[
:_`ZX^f E\nPfib
JXckCXb\:`kp
JXe=iXeZ`jZf G`kkjYli^_ G_`cX[\cg_`X
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;\em\i NXj_`e^kfe#;%:%
BXejXj:`kp :`eZ`eeXk`
Jk%Cfl`j
Cfj8e^\c\j
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JXe;`\^f
G_f\e`o
8kcXekX
;XccXj
8ljk`e
FicXe[f
?fljkfe
D`Xd`
$70,000 $130,000
22 Compensation
SALARY/WAGES SALARY/WAGE COMPARISON TOTAL COMPENSATION RESPONDENTS
25TH% MEDIAN 75TH% 25TH% MEDIAN 75TH%
Creative/Design director 23
Art director
J\Xkkc\
GfikcXe[
D`ee\Xgfc`j&Jk%GXlc 9fjkfe
;\kif`k
:c\m\cXe[
:_`ZX^f E\nPfib
JXckCXb\:`kp
JXe=iXeZ`jZf G`kkjYli^_ G_`cX[\cg_`X
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BXejXj:`kp :`eZ`eeXk`
Jk%Cfl`j
Cfj8e^\c\j
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JXe;`\^f
G_f\e`o
8kcXekX
;XccXj
8ljk`e
FicXe[f
?fljkfe
D`Xd`
$45,000 $108,000
24 Compensation
SALARY/WAGES SALARY/WAGE COMPARISON TOTAL COMPENSATION RESPONDENTS
25TH% MEDIAN 75TH% 25TH% MEDIAN 75TH%
Art director 25
Senior designer
J\Xkkc\
GfikcXe[
D`ee\Xgfc`j&Jk%GXlc 9fjkfe
;\kif`k
:c\m\cXe[
:_`ZX^f E\nPfib
JXckCXb\:`kp
JXe=iXeZ`jZf G`kkjYli^_ G_`cX[\cg_`X
@e[`XeXgfc`j
JXeAfj\ 9Xck`dfi\
;\em\i NXj_`e^kfe#;%:%
BXejXj:`kp :`eZ`eeXk`
Jk%Cfl`j
Cfj8e^\c\j
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JXe;`\^f
G_f\e`o
8kcXekX
;XccXj
8ljk`e
FicXe[f
?fljkfe
D`Xd`
$47,000 $77,000
26 Compensation
SALARY/WAGES SALARY/WAGE COMPARISON TOTAL COMPENSATION RESPONDENTS
25TH% MEDIAN 75TH% 25TH% MEDIAN 75TH%
Senior designer 27
Designer
J\Xkkc\
GfikcXe[
D`ee\Xgfc`j&Jk%GXlc 9fjkfe
;\kif`k
:c\m\cXe[
:_`ZX^f E\nPfib
JXckCXb\:`kp
JXe=iXeZ`jZf G`kkjYli^_ G_`cX[\cg_`X
@e[`XeXgfc`j
JXeAfj\ 9Xck`dfi\
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BXejXj:`kp :`eZ`eeXk`
Jk%Cfl`j
Cfj8e^\c\j
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JXe;`\^f
G_f\e`o
8kcXekX
;XccXj
8ljk`e
FicXe[f
?fljkfe
D`Xd`
$38,800 $56,000
28 Compensation
SALARY/WAGES SALARY/WAGE COMPARISON TOTAL COMPENSATION RESPONDENTS
25TH% MEDIAN 75TH% 25TH% MEDIAN 75TH%
Designer 29
Entry-level designer
J\Xkkc\
GfikcXe[
D`ee\Xgfc`j&Jk%GXlc 9fjkfe
;\kif`k
:c\m\cXe[
:_`ZX^f E\nPfib
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JXe=iXeZ`jZf G`kkjYli^_ G_`cX[\cg_`X
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BXejXj:`kp :`eZ`eeXk`
Jk%Cfl`j
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G_f\e`o
8kcXekX
;XccXj
8ljk`e
FicXe[f
?fljkfe
D`Xd`
$31,000 $45,000
30 Compensation
SALARY/WAGES SALARY/WAGE COMPARISON TOTAL COMPENSATION RESPONDENTS
25TH% MEDIAN 75TH% 25TH% MEDIAN 75TH%
Entry-level designer 31
Print production artist
J\Xkkc\
GfikcXe[
D`ee\Xgfc`j&Jk%GXlc 9fjkfe
;\kif`k
:c\m\cXe[
:_`ZX^f E\nPfib
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JXe=iXeZ`jZf G`kkjYli^_ G_`cX[\cg_`X
@e[`XeXgfc`j
JXeAfj\ 9Xck`dfi\
;\em\i NXj_`e^kfe#;%:%
BXejXj:`kp :`eZ`eeXk`
Jk%Cfl`j
Cfj8e^\c\j
:_Xicfkk\
JXe;`\^f
G_f\e`o
8kcXekX
;XccXj
8ljk`e
FicXe[f
?fljkfe
D`Xd`
$33,000 $66,000
32 Compensation
SALARY/WAGES SALARY/WAGE COMPARISON TOTAL COMPENSATION RESPONDENTS
25TH% MEDIAN 75TH% 25TH% MEDIAN 75TH%
34 Web designer
Copywriter
Copywriter 35
Print production manager
40 Web/Senior/Executive Producer
Content developer
Content developer 41
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $115
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $110
Benefits
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,100 $91,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $114
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $81,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $91,500 $96,100 $99,000 $101,500 $104,000 $110
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $91,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $113
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $81,500 $86,100 $95,100 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,100 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $110
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $81,100 $89,100 $91,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $116
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $102,500 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $110
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,600 $91,500 $94,100 $98,100 $102,100 $106,000 $115
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $113
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $100,000 $102,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $112
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $110
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $117
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $119
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $113
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $40,000 $43,600 $48,000 $50,300 $52,500 $58,200 $61,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $114
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $115
Benefits provided
NET: paid time off 6,910 76% NET: insurance 4,852 53%
Medical insurance or group 6,009 66% Defined benefit (pension) 1,286 14%
plan: individual coverage retirement plan
Benefits provided 43
About AIGA and Aquent
www.aiga.org
New York NY 10010
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $119
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300
00 $31,900 $40,500 $44,000 $49,500 $50,200 $56,300 $60,000 $67,300 $72,500 $78,000 $82,000 $85,000 $89,600 $90,500 $96,000 $98,400 $102,000 $106,300 $113
$32,400 $36,800 $39,300 $403,000 $43,600 $48,200 $50,300 $52,500 $58,300 $62,500 $64,300 $73,000 $80,000 $82,500 $86,100 $95,000 $97,300 $102,500 $106,000
00 $30,500 $38,100 $40,500 $46,000 $49,200 $51,300 $58,000 $63,300 $69,500 $73,000 $78,000 $85,300 $89,300 $93,500 $96,400 $99,000 $103,500 $104,000 $114
$30,000 $32,800 $39,500 $41,000 $42,500 $45,000 $47,300 $52,000 $56,300 $63,500 $68,000 $71,000 $78,000 $84,000 $89,500 $92,000 $96,400 $100,000 $104,300