Trying pick up some freelance work for the first time and not sure what to say when asked for my rates. What’s the average day rate for a mid level designer? Is there room for negotiation?

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Never let an Art Director provide your salary with math.

likefunny

I don't know who is paying $200 an hour , even for a CD - if you do please tell me who this is. As a CD level writer, I've never worked higher than $125 or $1000 day rate and that can even be tough to get

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CD1, 1500/day is rare these days.

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In my experience, I’ve received anywhere from $85 per hr outside NYC to $125 pr hr in the city for a Sr AD, who can design and concept, with digital/print exp. Pharma & finance shops usually pay best. If you go through a recruiter they take a fat cut of your hourly.

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Your hourly rate works out to 10% of your salary.

funny

I would say 1% of your salary is a good starting point for your hourly. So if you make $50k/year, charge $50/hr. If you make $200k/year, charge $200/hr

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1500 here. Cd/copy

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Here’s a fun fact, once you quote a rate you’re stuck there with that shop for pretty much forever. Not 100%, but it’s tough to renegotiate. So don’t sell yourself short. Since it seems you have a full time gig, you can afford to get passed over once or twice before you hit pay dirt. Getting ‘nights’ is tough, but double dipping isn’t unheard of. But they’ll know you’re still FT somewhere and that could turn lots of places off.

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CD 3 / OP - when I have lowballed myself out of necessity or accident, I say up front that I will be making an exception for them this one time. That sets me up to ask for more next time

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@CD4, this guy is a mid-level designer. Do you really know agencies that will pay 1200+ a day? I know really good CDs who can't get $1200/day at most shops.

smart

I'm a CD-writer and have never gotten higher than $1000 in NYC area in the last 4 years - and getting that much is rarer than it isn't. This is at both big, well known shops, small shops, at general agencies and pharma

smart

@CD2 Certainly not a designer, you’re absolutely right. However, @CDM NY 1 said they’re a CD at CDM (so many acronyms) which is a healthcare agency so... for them anyway. I’d say they’re selling themselves short at sub-$1000.

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Also - will it be hard for me to find freelance design work that doesn’t require me to be available during the day? I’d love to have extra income in addition to a full time gig

@CD3 so helpful thank you!!

@CDM NY 1 - you might be selling yourself short. $150/hour / 1200-1300 isn’t hard to find. Certainly smaller shops won’t be as generous (though there are exceptions) and it’s all variable but still... 1000/day sounds pretty low as the “high end"

Well, I know many CD doing 1800-2000 a day, a double dipping a lot. NYC btw.

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