Looking for jobs in London and your creative salaries are very, very low compared to other markets. Like experienced CDs making the same as entry level creatives in other markets bad. There is such massive talent and experience in this town, why haven’t salaries kept pace with the rest of the industry?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I find British work to be smarter in general. Obviously you can do smart work in the US but you have a lot of client-pleasing “client’s always right” bullshit that gets in the way of good work.

All that being said, there are dumbasses falling upwards in London and untapped geniuses in B-list Canadian cities with whom you can do excellent work. I believe you can make great work anywhere if you work to the strengths of your team.

like

Yeah I feel ya, that makes sense

guess some places it's just easier than others

I moved to London from the US and ended up with a massive pay cut... The salaries here is insanely low, and it also feels like rates have stalled over the last few years, whereas cost of living is steadily going up.

like

I’m pretty sure clients in the U.K. spend a whole lot less on advertising than the US. There’s less money coming in.

like

I think there is probably some truth to the smaller market theory accept when you look at in-house creative roles. Some of which are at very large, very global and very wealthy tech companies and the salaries are still a good 40% less compared to secondary cities outside the UK.

like

... and you only get a rise when you resign to go somewhere else.

like

The salaries are smaller here and stupidly you only get a raise if you move. You basically make sweet fuck all until youre a senior creative (£50k-£75k).

CD’s make anything from £80k-£140k here, and those towards the higher end of that scale are usually the first ones sacked when financial trouble hits. CD’s in their 40’s on £125k never usually last.
You have to get into management by your late 30’s or you’ll need to spend your 40’s saving rapidly with one eye over your shoulder.

You basically get a 20 year career unless you get into C-suite. 20’s underpaid. 30’s overpaid. 40’s you’re fired.

The only silver lining in the U.K. is that it’s a fairly democratic market - you can genuinely become a CD in 5-7 years and an ECD in 7-10 years if you’re winning lots of awards and sacrifice your entire life. It’s probably worth it.

funny

I keep getting told it's cause our cost of living is lower (lmao) re healthcare, maybe?

We all are 🥴

Thank you for this! This is the best response I've seen despite asking on here a bunch ha

Where do you think you make better work? I mean, how tonally different are the locations?

I guess you're American. The cost of living is so much lower here than in the U.S. but bonuses are pretty much non-existent.

I am. I live in London. And it’s not.

like

Related Posts

describes me to a T nowadays

Post Photo
likefunny

Anyone work for Berkshire Hathaway?

like

Time to negotiate my raise. What should a managing director for a national, non B4 firm make?

like

I have a review coming up for my company, and I’m looking for direction on a salary range for my position because I believe I am very underpaid. I am the social media manager and have been for a year. I am also the creative director that takes all the photos and videos for our social channels as well. I also shoot all the content for our website and e-commerce channels. I work with all our influencers and manage partnership. have no idea what to expect from a role like this in terms of Salary.

like

With so many people leaving this year, what were some of the most commons exits from FDD people have been seeing lately?

like

How do you deal with a designer that stamps their name all over the work they did on a team project with 5+ other designers?

like

Going to zero!

like

Has anyone else had experiences with a client presentation going bad? What happened and how did the client react?

like

I recently came across a job posting on Huge for Program Director in NY. Anyone know the recruiter or hiring manager for this role that I can get connected to?

If you kids are the beneficiaries on my will — can I put one of them as the primary executor as well ? I’m divorced btw

like

8/26 check in

Active rest day today. Need to hit 10147 dynamic step goal on garmin to maintain my streak - 6 days done, earlier best was 21 days, todays day 7

like

From my experience in IBM GBS, it’s generally:
Grad £30-£35k
Consultant £35-£40k
Senior Consultant £45-£55k
Managing Consultant £60-£75
Not sure on the rest

like

Things to do in Nashville during Christmas?

like

Hello fishes,

Any idea how much time will wipro take for salary negotiation after hr round?

like

Hi Folks,
Does anyone have any idea about this start up called Jai-kisan?

like

Why is 6 afraid of 7?

Overwatch is $20 on PC, thinking of picking it up?

like

Guidance required

I am software account manager here in Canada and getting base salary 60k and 25 k variable.

I have a total 9 years of work in sales and services. 8 years in banking/financial sales now more than 1 year in Tech sales here in Canada.

I am right package or still there are many opportunities where I can get more ? share your thoughts and experiences please.

like
like

Ask any questions about poland moves

Can ask anything here

like

Additional Posts in Londoners in Advertising

Hey! Anyone interested in purchasing a SXSW Film badge at the early bird special cost of $895?

like

Salary for Sr. producer agency-side? Thank you!!

like

The average pay for an NHS nurse is £35k. It is a well known fact that this wage is difficult to live on. Whereas London agencies pay experienced staff in and around this wage. Wages haven’t really increased in the last 20 years. Why is our industry so underpaid?

like

Any single junior ADs out there?

I'm a junior copywriter with 2+ years agency exp, moving to London in July.

Basically looking to team up, put a banging book together and get in the right doors.

like

I used to be really confident and assertive in the workplace . Despite winning prestigious awards and making good work I have been let go a couple of times I have lost all confidence and an meek. ...

like

Hey! I want to move to London from another country, but I've been waiting for a while, apparently there's been a pandemic. How does it look like now? Should I wait a bit more? Thanks.

like

Who are the best teams in town? Whose book should I know?

like

Recently relocated to London pre-Covid. As things begin to slowly open back up, any good resources for finding FT agency work for an established creative? Had a couple of recruiter meetings before lock-down but all of those leads have gone cold.

like

Single ADs, where you at?

If you're junior/mid with big ambitions, say hey.

like

Anyone at LinkedIn that can share their experience? How does comp compare to other tech companies (salary/signing bonus/stock options/perks)? How’s the culture?

like

Howdy sweet Londoners, does anyone know of any agencies that are currently hiring? Open to both Perm or freelance opps. Thanks!

like

I don’t enjoy working at my agency and don’t want to leave London but don’t see many agencies hiring right now. Is the market slow or do agencies not post listings through LinkedIn/Glassdoor/Indeed?

like

I know it varies based on awards and client history etc but what’s the average salary of a mid creative with 3-4 years experience? (assuming a pretty good portfolio of work) I’m new to London and just don’t want to end up underselling myself 😬

like

Any London recruiter recommendations who also search for US applicants?

like

Anyone here either go to a top public school or send their kid(s) to one? I’d love to ask some questions for a project I’m working on.

like

National insurance

how’s everyone feeling about this?

Quite miffed as I just got a small pay rise and now I think this plus the upcoming not rises in utilities and inflation will pretty much cancel it out.

This country is fucked lol

like

I love London with all my heart, but I don’t think I can stay here post Covid. I need to be closer to my family, and this pandemic has really put everything into perspective.

like

Thoughts on Fundamental Media?

Howdy everyone! Has anyone here ever taken on a freelance project in the US? How did you manage taxes and other legal stuff? I’m London based and will keep being in London when taken on this US project. Just want to make sure I don’t do anything that might keep me from entering the U.S. in the future lol.

like

How much are project managers making in London?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal