Fresno Design Alliance - 2010 Salary and Price Survey

Survey Results

In January 2010, Fresno Design Alliance conducted its second Salary & Price Survey. With 45 online responses, the 2010 Salary and Price Survey saw a 36% increase in participation from the 2009 Salary and Price Survey. The survey aims to help Fresno area designers gauge their own pricing structure and annual salary.

Average Annual Income

Average design salary = $49,556 - 7 %

Average salary by job type

Solo (13) $36,088 - 28 %
In-house (14) $41,026 + 5 %
Small agency (17) $65,000 - 6 %
Large agency (1) $72,000 + 35 %

Average salary by position

Solo (14) $36,444 - 27 %
Entry-level designer (1) $28,000- 22 %
Designer (10) $34,586 + 1 %
Senior designer (6) $57,500 - 14 %
Creative director (14) $71,875 + 7 %

Average salary by design-related degree

None (14) $45,325 - 2 %
Certificate (4) $32,660 - 46 %
Associates degree (1) $15,000 - 59 %
Bachelor’s degree (22) $57,967 - 4 %
Master’s (4) $48,667 - 12 %

Average salary by experience

0–2 years (3) $28,000 - 19 %
3–5 years (12) $39,455 + >1 %
6–9 years (11) $41,786 - 16 %
10–19 years (10) $71,944 + 16 %
20+ years (9) $53,360 - 17 %

(n) = Number of respondents
+ or - % change from 2009 results

Average Project Cost

Average hourly rate = $72 - 8 %

Type of hourly rate

44% Blended (a single, averaged rate for all billable functions)
31% Different rates per task (such as proofreading, design, strategy)
25% No answer

Average markup for buyouts = 25% - 24 %

Average discount for nonprofits = 26% - 37 %

Average project cost

Logo $1,075 - 24 %
Business system (letterhead, business cards) $1,090 +25 %
Small brochure (tri-fold, rack style) $813 +24 %
Medium brochure (4-page letter or equivalent) $1,258 +37 %
Large brochure (8-page letter or equivalent) $2,107 +29 %
Postcard/Flyer $287 - 24 %
Annual report $3,145 - 2 %
Full-page color display ad $627 +27 %
Small website (5-10 page, static site) $1,819 - 17 %
Medium website (10-25 pages) $4,326 +3 %
Large website (25+ pages) $8,139 - 7 %

+ or - % change from 2009 results

Acknowledgements: Special thanks to those who contributed to the creation of this survey. Specifically, the FDA salary/price survey committee which includes James Collier, Jared Hardy, Layne Lev, and Katrina Neufeld. Thank you!

For questions or to provide comments on how the survey can be improved in future years, please contact info@fresnodesignalliance.org.