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35, Chicago, UX Associate Director - 135k
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I work in consulting but have gained exposure to the details of this role at a variety of clients and can tell you that in the industry (non agency) side it can range from $220k on the low side to well over $500k. Very well paying role.
Thank you Acoustic 1 and CD1. All helpful discussion. I had been asking about agency-side CD roles specifically but there’s value in knowing what top creatives in-house earn, as that’s where I’d like end up someday.
160-240k
CW1 - it’s a range. There is a low end and a high end. And yes, there can be overlap with titles above and below. I made the same as an ACD 4 years ago as I do now as a CD but they’re very different shops.
CD1 hence the range.
There are thousands of agencies and each one is different. What if it’s a small agency with small clients? Or an agency that specializes in non-profits?
That’s great that every ACD you know is making at least 160K and that you’re making 250K. But a sweeping statement isn’t really helping the OP.
Not to mention, women and POC CDs will skew less in salary.
Point taken. That really sucks, I’m sorry it’s been a struggle.
FWIW, I moved to the US from another (English speaking) country about 10 years ago and it set me back a lot.
They liked my work but didn’t recognize my level or experience. Like, at all. After arriving as an ACD with tons of work in my book, I was treated like a junior all over again. It was tough to suck it up and smile when less experienced creatives were sent to “supervise” me on shoots. It took me many years and shiny awards on real clients to get to where I am, earning this salary.
And there are still so many people (including women) above me with far fewer runs on the board who I have to Kowtow to every day. I still very much appreciate what I have though.
160K is an ACD. CD should be over 200K - my agency wouldn’t make me a CD until they agreed to pay me $250K. That is, they refused to give me the title until they’d agreed I was worth that amount.
Depends on the agency size, in or out of network, etc. 180 is not an uncommon CD salary and neither is 225+
You tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine.
I’m at 220, minus 20% because covid.