Hourly Rates Around the Country
The most recent issue of HOW magazine (one of my favorites) had an article on setting hourly rates, which included an interesting survey of rates around the U.S. The average ranged from $65 in the Midwest to $74 in the Northeast, with lows and highs ranging from $20 to a whopping $350/hour. Most of the responses were from freelancers or those working in a "solo design practice," so it's a good look at what those working alone are charging.
What Does this Mean for You?
So, does this mean you should find your region and simply pick the hourly rate? Absolutely not. It's not bad to measure against, but many other factors come into play. For starters, the survey is broken into region, but rates that clients will "accept" may vary by state or even town. A closer look at your specific market is necessary. Your experience level, types of clients and industry will also determine what you can charge. Someone with 10 years experience working primarily for large corporations will most likely be able to charge more than a recent grad doing non-profit work. Over time, experimenting and experience will lead to what you can, and should, charge by the hour.
Comments
yes, well, it seems some people are astonished that artists and designers ask for any money at all…and i notice the insidious growth of “internship” in other areas such as media production, the idea being to get highly skilled volunteers just for the glamour of working in “the business”…i feel sometimes that is what is behind the resistance to paying for professional work…some kind of condescension toward even being able to work in anything related to art and design…perhaps it is the world of potential “customers” out there who require to have some understanding that creating good design is more than just “arts and crafts” and “having fun”…i was recently proposed a possible project where the inquirer wished to avail herself of my “edgy” style, yet wanted to pay the equivalent of $10 per finished drawing (200 illustrations for a book)…now when I returned with a proposition that at the very least would have been $60 per hour equivalent she has of course, not responded…perhaps she has found someone else with the SAME “edgy style” of illustration? well, enough of that, I like the $350 per hour quote!
I agree. There is a collection of clients who seem to think that because we are having “fun” designing that it can’t possible be fair to pay more than an hourly wage.
It’s disappointing that a client feels because what I do is creative and therefore “fun” that there is a gap of monetary respect for the efforts I put into it.
But I digress, I agree with Hilda3 and say, I too like $350 an hour.
HI, and i’m terri and i didn’t know that you can charge for skecting. or is it just simply the design that’s in the process of beging developed. uhm would you please send me some info on manufacture help! I have alot of design that haven’t first of all a patteton made. for my design, and then a simtress is what i need. thanks Terri B.