Attn: design directors!

I make $60K, oversee design for a handful of global brands at a large Chicago agency, have 12 years of experience (5 in this position), and have 4-5 direct reports. I suspect I have the lowest salary for this level at my agency.

I know negotiating advancement is about what I bring and not based on comparisons. I am just curious what other design directors in similar positions make. Spill it.

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Go to realagencysalaries.com. You’re grossly underpaid. I know of AEs being paid $45k with less than 2 years of experience in Chicago

likehelpful

One important side note: don’t let all of our shock get you down. Don’t beat yourself up about this. Just get what you deserve. If you can get an offer from another agency you’ll see a massive increase. You can try to get it countered if you’d like to stay.

likeuplifting

This is exactly why so many places have made it illegal for potential employers to ask your salary history. Here’s a list of all the places with laws around this (OP, Illinois is one of them!)


https://www.hrdive.com/news/salary-history-ban-states-list/516662/

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I can’t even wrap my brain around this one. What were you making 5 years ago when they hired you? What do your direct reports make?

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When I was around 30 I made the decision to not work for under $80k ever again. That was almost 20 years ago. You are being taken advantage of to the point that you need to leave. And ask for $120 minimum at you next gig.

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About 2-3x more but I’m in NYC.

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Depending on where you’re working and the type of agency, I would say at LEAST 130.

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60k is starting territory for jr ADs that is wild

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I am shocked by this number. Should be at least double.

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Yeah you.. gotta get out of there.

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You deserve at least $120K. Pull some comps from peers and/or Glassdoor and work out a plan for them to make it right with you.

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You should be making at least $120k here in Chicago.

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At least double. This is absurd. I made more as a Designer!

Similar role/experience making $180k in NYC

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