By Jessica Bosari
When you embark on a graphic design career, you of course consider the challenge and satisfaction in creating art as a profession, but money is always a consideration as well. Careers in graphic design can be very lucrative, but exactly how much you will make depends on several factors. Here are just a few items to consider when trying to calculate how much you expect to earn in your career.
Experience
Experience is rated as one of the most important factors that can influence your earning potential, even more than your educational qualifications in many cases as those can be earned later as part of a career development plan. Whether you take a job with a company or decide to freelance, employers and customers want to know that you are able to create high quality work on a consistent basis. Putting together a good portfolio and taking jobs for experience early on in your career can translate to a larger salary later on.
Qualifications
While experience does rank higher than your education in the eyes of many employers, qualifications cannot be entirely discounted either. Think of your qualifications as your calling card. You introduce yourself to a potential client or employer with those and then use your experience as the proof to back up what education you have attained.
Location, Location, Location
If you are working for a company in Podunk, Iowa, then it stands to reason that you will likely earn less than a graphic designer in New York City. While cost of living definitely plays a part in your potential earnings, the availability of clients also factors into your salary. In larger cities, there are more people and more businesses with the potential for more clientele than in smaller towns.
Employee vs. Freelance
Deciding how you want to work will influence how much money you make as well. While jobs with large companies can be quite lucrative and are often greatly desired by those just starting in the field, you can easily get lost in such a large pool of designers. In smaller firms, you may not make as much money initially, but proving yourself indispensable in a smaller company can provide job security as well as ample opportunity for creative challenges.
Freelancing is also an option that can produce a large income, but comes with other responsibilities in addition to design work. As a freelance designer, you need to network and market yourself to potential clients. This can be a lot of work, but those with talent and skill at marketing themselves and producing quality work can make a fortune working for themselves.
Graphic design is hot career for those with creative skills and technical know-how. Because of the popularity of the field, competition is cutthroat. High-paying jobs require experience, talent, and education to get.
Jessica Bosari is a blogger for several publications, covering topics like saving money, technology, computer networking careers, writing online and more. You can reader more of her work and find hand-picked telecommute writing jobs culled from sites like Simply Hired at KillFive.com.
