Related Posts
Need more likes to get DM features open
Is this correct?
Please like so I can unlock DM's! Thank you! :)
Is this true ?
Turned in my two weeks today!!
Additional Posts in Advertising
What about Italy? Anyone working there?
I need infographic tips please!
What are your favorite millennial traits?
Tips on landing entry-level strategy?!
Thoughts on having PMs manage media teams?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
It can absolutely get better. Many arts grads pivot into strategy, UX, comms, or creative tech where pay and WLB improve. You don’t need to erase your background, just reposition your skills where they’re valued higher. Fresh starts don’t always mean starting over.
It’s not going to get better.
Word
In this industry you’re underpaid the first half of your career and (if you’re good) overpaid the second half. Many of my friends started out of the gate faster than I did, but long run make far less than I do.
My first job 7 years (agency side) ago paid me $50k. I made several moves fast by being strategic. I’m now in-house and making over $130k. The worst thing you can do is stop trying to move.
My first agency job 14 years ago paid 50k. Running it thru an inflation calculator, OP’s salary would be like making 35k when I was a junior or 39k when CW1 was.
Spruce up your book and jump ship for another role that pays better or at least has better WLB. Internal raises/promotions are super hard to come by.
You can leverage your cw skills everywhere you go. Consider other career paths like strategy, UX, content creation, product development, education, etc. Jobs in tech and adland are getting smaller year over year while the talent pool and competition are continuing to rise.
As another poster mentioned, creatives in advertising are underpaid the first half of their careers and overpaid the second half. I personally don't think that's the way it should be but it is. Especially when you get very senior, you basically get paid A LOT not to do a whole lot in my opinion. While in most other careers, you start with a pretty mid to high salary that only gradually increases over time.
It depends if ur more than three years as a CW and making that then ur in bad shape. Two years or less in and making 50 in any markets than NYC, LA or SF is normalish. If you’re not content now you never will be and might want to look into other jobs while ur still young.
Your friends are making 4 times more exactly with the same background?
As someone who is also a young creative, it's not looking very bright for us -- AI is coming and coming fast, so I think it would be valuable to pivot your skills into strat or creative tech. Going to get hate for this, but as someone who works brand side, leaders are already having conversations about using AI to generate creative and save money.
I'm also currently attempting to pivot.