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This survey only reinforces and depresses the paltry ad salaries in London. I hate that people point to this thing like some kind of salary bible. The survey is sent out to Major Players clients and candidates who tend to already pay/earn at the lower range of London ad salaries. The salary also serves to benefit MP who then convince candidates to accept less while endearing themselves to agencies (their actual client) who want to pay talent as little as possible. Also if you place someone at a salary of £30k in 2023 and then ask them what they are making in 2024 and their salary hasn’t change (because let’s face it, agencies are terrible at annual raises and bonuses) what do you think the salary for that position in the survey is going to be for 2025? £30k. Agencies and MP then point to this “survey” and say, well according to our numbers the average current salary for this role is £30k. It’s absolute bullshit.
Rising Star
What would you say is a higher range of freelance rates in London?
Bonkers. And inaccurate (I think).
Which is to say $1200 - $1600 a day for ACD, $1800 - $2200 CD.
Rising Star
People straight out of college aren't getting hired as freelancers. At least not to my knowledge. Usually you can only get a freelance gig if you've got a decent amount of produced work. So "junior freelance creative" means at least one year of experience, if not two.
At the very senior level, freelance rate depends less on your previous titles and more on what you're being hired to do. If you're doing the work of a senior creative you'll be paid roughly £500 a day even if you used to be an ECD. If you're doing ECD-type duties (like running a big pitch etc.) then it will be considerably more.
Rising Star
Fully agree. Creatives are paid far too little considering the impact they can have. Of course, we would say that, wouldn't we? Haha.
Where do I apply as a junior with this rate? Never see any ads for freelance for juniors
Major Players aren't the 'go to' recruiter for the jobs at the biggest and best agencies. The survey was mostly sent out to people on their mailing list and anyone who clicked on one of their ads. I wouldn't say it was a fair representation of the freelance market, especially in London.
Mind spilling the beans on who the better ones are?