Is your CG pay up to par?

[Eric]

Hello everyone! As I sit in front of my computer monitor, laboriously hacking away at my mouse and keyboard inputting commands into AutoCAD, I often find myself wondering if my pay is on par with my abilities, as well as with those of my fellow CG artists around the globe.

 

For those that are interested and wouldn't mind sharing a bit of personal information about their position and pay, this thread is for you! Perhaps by sharing a bit of details about our daily duties, we can all get a better idea of what kind of money we should expect, or at the very least, hope for.

 

Looking forward to finding out more about my fellow CG artists,

Eric Adams

[STRAT]

good idea

 

i work in the UK in the largest architects in Wales. most architects in the uk have in-house cg artists nower days, and i'm ours!

 

pay first. i've been there 5 years and in our firm pay is more based on ur time with the firm and age, rather than experience or qualifications.

i'm 30 years of age, basically unqualified, and earn between 20-23k stirling (depending on overtime/bonuses). Not great, but pretty good for a job possition like mine in Wales. ie, if i moved to another firm i'd get very similar.

 

day to day is great. basically i'm my own boss. i got 2 pc's and monitors and because nobody knows anything about how to do 3d i get nobody telling me how to do anything. my boss gives me the brief, tells me the deadline then leaves me be till deadline time. i manage myself how i want then. drink coffee all day, smoke ciggys, joke with my collegues, draw 3d and watch the lovely ladies passing by outside every day.

 

i love my job. pay could be better as always, but loving my job is 100% more important to me. if i won the lottery tomorrow i'd do this job for free.

[Eric]

Well, since I started the thread, I figure I should be the first to reply.

 

I work in Carrollton, Texas (USA for those who may not know where the great Long Horn state is) for an architectural firm. Actually, I'm technically employed by a company called adCAD (Advanced Cad Services). adCAD offices with a group of architects, and provides discounted CAD services to the architects in-house, in trade for free rent of the office space. The clients we mainly work with are retail stores, like Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Abuelo's (Mexican Food), TJ Hartford's (sport's bar & grill), as well as some major developers in the area who develop shopping strip-centers.

 

The majority of our work is AutoCAD, drawing up construction documents (CD's). Generally though, for every project we get to do a 3D image of the exterior, and an occasional interior.

 

As far as pay is concerned, I'm an hourly paid employee, who is expected to be at work around 40 hours per week. However, if there is no work, I don't get paid, so I'm free to leave whenever I wish. I do get benefits (medical, dental, life), but no paid holidays. Hourly, I get a stingy $18.25/hr. Not bad, but not enough! Our company charges $32.50/hr. for basic drafting, $37.50/hr. for advanced drafting (working on our own without the architects standing over our shoulders), and $50/hr. for 3D work and photo manipulations.

 

So, let's hear what some others are getting paid so we can all get an idea where we stand in the market!!

 

Eric Adams

[Sawyer]

I work from an office here in Sacramento CA. I do CAD mostly in house but I do hire myself out from my house to the office when I do 3d or graphic projects. I have been doing the drafting for 4 years I get $16.5 hourly. I charge 30 (+-) for the 3d work and about $25 for photoshop 2d renderings. Obviously I want more 3d less cad. Or just to work with Strat.

[Brian Cassil]

I'm sure you guys are well aware of the poll that Jeff is attempting to put together on this very subject. (btw, is that still going to happen Jeff?) But in the mean time here's my info. It's kind of similar to what Strat is doing except I'm not sure what the currency ratio is.

 

I work for an Architectural firm of about 55 (we will soon be merging with another firm and then be about 100 people, at either rate its just me doin the 3D stuff) in Salt Lake City, Utah. I do all the vizualization as well as other graphics for design presentation. I don't take on any other work outside the firm, but some day would like to build a small team of graphics gurus and do that as well. When I started here four years ago I was earning 16.50 an hour plus all the overtime I wanted plus bonuses (which vary greatly depending on how profitable the company is). My salary has steadily increased to about 20.00 an hour presently with all the same bonuses and perks such as 401k plans health benifits and that kind of stuff.

 

But the real future for me may be my other job. In the evening 2 days a week I teach architectural vizualization at Salt Lake Community College. I love doing it and it makes 27.50 an hour. I'm also going to be getting into proffesional training as an Autodesk Certified Specialist soon and that makes 35.00 an hour. I would love to have that be my day job and then do free-lance work on the side for vacation money.

 

Anyway, I hope this can be of some benifit to someone. I know I'm extremely curious to see what the real going rate for people like us is. So Jeff, lets get that poll going. ;}

[trey]

how do you become an Autodesk specialist?

[Brian Cassil]

There are a list of requirements but baisically you need proffesional experience using whatever software you are going to be training people in (if you're in this forum you probably have that already), and you need some experience training at an accredited institution. The rest is pretty pretty much basic stuff. There are no educational requirements and they don't really even care about seeing a portfolio.

[Jeff Mottle]

Yes this is still on my list of things to do. But my time is pretty swamped right now. I'm heading for at least a 70 hours week this week. Mostly stuff for CGA too. very tired.....

 

I'm sure you guys are well aware of the poll that Jeff is attempting to put together on this very subject. (btw, is that still going to happen Jeff?)

[squid]

I have been working by on my own doing 3D renderings in New York for two years now. The pay is pretty good compared to being a salaried employee performing architectural duties as well as 3d renderings. My gross rate hovers just under $100/hr. This rate may sound high compared to other regions of the country, but the average rent in my neighborhood is around $1600 per month for a 'charming' 1 bedroom apartment if you know what I mean. I am finding the cost of doing business is also rising due to the following reasons:

 

1. more frequent software updates and new software (to keep up with the increasing complexity of renderings desired by the clients.)

2. accelerating hardware upgrade cycle (14 months)

3. increased time spent learning cg techniques.

 

I find that developers are generally easier to work with and pay on time compared to architects with notable exceptions. There's are still quite a few design orientated firms that will not think twice about dropping big $$$ change to spice up their portfolios for design awards, btw they're are really great people to be around. I think coporate interior firms are probably the worst clients because of the conserv. nature of their clients and the way they handle invoices.

 

Just out of curiosity, I would like to know what the ratio of time spent on 3D rendering vs. performing architectural duties for anyone who is employed by an architect and whether of not anyone thinks their pay matches their additional 3D skills?

 

Hope this helps!

 

Squid

 

Hope this helps!

 

Squid

[Eric]

Originally posted by squid:

Just out of curiosity, I would like to know what the ratio of time spent on 3D rendering vs. performing architectural duties for anyone who is employed by an architect and whether of not anyone thinks their pay matches their additional 3D skills?

 

Squid

I office and work directly with a group of architects, though I'm not employed by them. I'm employed by another company that provides CAD services, though our company is actually owned by the above mentioned head architects. I would have to say that 7 out of 10 hours is devoted (on average) to CAD duties, with the remaining 3 going towards 3D, PhotoShop, or website stuff. As far as pay is concerned, I don't get bonuses, I have only health/dental/life insurance, no paid vacation and no paid hollidays. I get paid $18.25 per hour USA$, and I'm lucky to get 35-40 hours per week. On top of that, I commute 30 miles each way in medium to heavy traffic. I love what I do (3D more so than CAD), but I feel like my pay rate should be on a floating scale depending on the work I do. Considering we charge our clients $50/hr for 3D/PhotoShop work, I think I should get a bit more than $18.25/hr when I work on that stuff, especially when that $50/hr isn't getting invested back into keeping my system up to date in technology.

 

Eric

[Josh1587140445]

Well I have only been out of school for 4 months now with a Bachelor of Architecture and I am currently working for an A/E firm in Cleveland. I get paid $16.35/hr.

Even though I am still learning 3d when it comes to rendering, I am the only one who knows how in my office. Majority of my time is working on CD's and other tasks. But 3D is used depending on the project and client requirements. But it is getting spread around to the other 8 offices quite quickly. So my supervisor sees a lot more in my future.

[superdave]

Hey Eric nice to find yet another fellow Texan here. I'm working in Dallas, Texas for a Architect Firm. I graduated as a 3d artist/Designer from the Art Institute of Dallas. Though I never intended to go to work in the Architectual field it is turning into quite a carrer. I was just laid off a month ago after 2 years with an Architectual Firm doing 3d, Marketing, Web Designs, Graphics, Animations, and presentations. I used 3dmax etc (on my resume if intrested LOL).I was making around 35,000 with salary, bonuses, and benifits. Not bad but not exactly what I think I should get paid. Now after a month of unemployment I yet found another Architectual Firm to start up their 3d department for about the same amount no great advance in income with such a slow down in the market. I'm employed so yeah. On the other hand I have started working (Like Eric suggested) with a couple of other 3d artist for our own company on the side. This is where its realy paying off when we have work. Just doing 3d models which take 1 to 4 hours a piece I average about 30 to 60.00 an hour. This is a much better situation if you ask me. If we ever get busy enough I will possible be able to work 30 hours a week and still average more money than working full time for a Firm or Gaming company etc..

 

Answer to question - No I don't fell I'm paid adequetly for my skills.

[Eric]

Hey superdave! If you don't mind my asking, what firm are you working for? A guy I work with, Scott McClendon, knows quite a few of the firms around here, and a lot of the CAD operators. I'm working with Runyon Architects, over next to Addisson Airport. I'm like you. I'd rather take this CAD company I'm directly working for, and make it into basically a 3D only shop. I tossed around trying to hire on with a gaming company, but I'm more technically oriented, and I never thought I'd be a very good creature modeler, and most gaming companies want very strong hand drawing skills. Since I'm a perfectionist, I feel like I could do whatever I was asked to do, but free-form stuff isn't quite my strong point.

[superdave]

Eric I currently work for E Evans Associates a small Architect Firm. I'm tring to kick start their 3d department. I worked for Johnson McKibben Architects for 2 years before they started to run out of work.

 

The Gaming industy is a very diffucult field to get started in and it doesn't pay as much as the architectual field. You have to know someone to realy get a honest chance to work in it. I probably could work for games, but the company that I have the best chance with at the moment is located in Lewisvill to far for me.

 

I'm curious and would like to see some of you work. Do you have a Web page or postins some where?

[nisus]

Hi all,

 

Not to much a big story here: I'm a partner in our firm and only earn a humble 3000euro/month (bruto) for between 260-380hours/month - You do the math per hour...

That doesn't include insurances nor health care or anything as our status is independent.

The reason: as our firm is still starting up we have a lot to invest in.

Anyway... It's a marvellous job and exactly what I want for now as it got the best conditions for a personal growth and understanding of things.

 

rgds

 

nisus

 

ps: Freelancers working in our firm get more - hum hum - as they start at about 15euro/month and go way up depending on skills and speed.

[ingo]

Just curious to know. I read in this interesting thread about hourly rates, i must admit i don't know about mine and i don't care, since i think and hope i get paid for my knowledge and not for the time i work.

My calculation goes about the complexity of the objects and the details needed. The client asks two questions in the beginning, how much does it cost and why isn't it ready yet So this way its easier for me to charge for example for one project 2000 Euro and for another one 4000 Euro, although i have to finish them both in the same amount of time.

Just interested to know what you think about this.....

 

ingo

www.im-graphics.com

[mzagorski]

Here's my two cents worth.

 

1) The guy who reckons he's getting $100/hr. Good on you... I dont know anyone else other than lawyers who make that much money. A qualified architect is lucky if they see $40/hr.

 

2) Someone said that computer games industry pays less than architecture. I strongly disagree. I have some contacts who work in the games industry, one of which works for Konami. From the people I have spoken to, your first year as a 3D artist can make you about $22,000 then once you have a year of experience, this can soon increase to $35,000+... If you get one or two published titles behind you then your set. Games Ind. employees also often get profit sharing etc.

Unlike architects.. Comp. Games people dont have to work 100hrs/week. Their work is valued... Unlike architecture.

 

My last job as an architectural intern paid $15/hr. That was after tax, and I have a bachelors degree (3yrs) plus 1.5yrs of experience. I got trained by Discreet to use Lightscape and know AutoCAD better than any architect that I worked with (but Im sure others out there know more about it that myself)That job came with medical and paid sick days/holidays and was a 8-5 with some overtime. Nice bonus' too!

 

Our office charged my time at about $40 per hour... and architects were closer to $60/hr. The owner of the 15 person firm was event paying himself near $100/hr. I dont think that any young computer savvy person out there is getting paid what they are worth. We know a lot of information that makes these architectural firms profitable... but a lot of the time they dont realise it.

 

When I do freelance webdesign/3D work I charge between $20 and $40 per hour.

 

Trying to get 3D work for $40 us DAMN hard.. at least it is for me being a freelancer.

[nisus]

Hi mike,

 

I think those bosses do know what you're worth and do know what you bring to the company (otherwise you wouldn't work overthere...) They just don't want to pay you more, that's it... Mention a career change and if they'll realise you skills you will earn more... :-p

 

(I just heard a story this week of a guy who wanted to change work... he was instantly raised a at 140% of his current loan... good for him!)

 

rgds

 

nisus

[taprice]

First off I'm with Strat. I love my job and do wish it paid more but I would also do it for free if I won the lotto. I too am the only guy in a 250+ AE firm in MI that does 3d and I'm not too shabby if I do say so myself. I've ben here for 4-1/2 years and don't intend to leave soon. I work a straight 40 if I can and make a livable 15.9/hour. I wouldn't mind asking for more but I don't know how good/bad I have it.

[kainoa]

Ahhh...here's the thread i've been lookin for. Been visiting CGarch for about a year now and only recently decided to join in on the forums. Anyways..

 

I work for Engineering/Planning firm here in Honolulu, HI, US. I know, I know... engineering/planning = boring, I agree. However, these guys took care of me while i was still in college (flexible part-time hours & still paid full health/vision/dental/life) so i sort of owe it to them to stick around and not jump ship to a competing arch firm. Hey, what can i say...i'm a loyal employee.

 

The firm is 60 strong and im the only guy that does 3D here. I also do all the company graphic design, videos, web design, & presentations. I've been here 4 yrs. Within 3 yrs i became the company CAD/Graphics/PC guru. Anyone has a problem that's within that realm, they see me. I also 'unofficially' draft,do PC setups, manage CAD standards and protocols, and fix any problems we have in our LAN. So you see, officially my role is the company graphic designer. But unoffically, im a CAD manager, 3D artist, and IT admin. My pay is about a little under $18/hr with full health and holiday/sick pay.

 

I guess my pay could be better considering the high cost of living here (although not quite as high as NYC ). I thought long and hard about threatening to leave here just so they realize how important my role here is so they consider giving me raise. However, i think the more correct way to approach that is if i can convince them to make my 'unofficial' roles here in the firm 'official'. That way a raise is 'officially' warranted.

 

Keep this thread going guys...i'm really interested in knowing where everyone is sitting in the industry.

[trey]

almost everyone on this forum is underpaid.

if your guys do 3D full time and are good at

it, you should at least be making 45k/yr with

all the benefits.

 

we're in such a specialized field that it's

hard for arch firms to find people who are good

at 3D. it's easy to find someone who can "just"

do it, but they won't be realy good.

 

we are not in the same salary bracket as the

"intern architect", we're at least 2 levels up.

i'm an inter architect with a M.Arch degree doing

3D full time, so it gives me an edge to be paid more.

[STRAT]

Originally posted by trey:

[QB]almost everyone on this forum is underpaid.

if your guys do 3D full time and are good at

it, you should at least be making 45k/yr with

all the benefits.

QB]

if only it was that simple. for me the problem is location. i work in Wales in the UK and earn the going rate here, which is the lowest in the UK, but if i moved to London say, i'd reletively earn much more.

 

but thats not going to happen being as my life is down here in Wales. i guess thats kinda common world over.

[ingo]

...and you dont have to forget, if you move to London you have to pay more for your life. So in the end you maybe get even less...

 

ingo

[nisus]

a tip to kainao: when you talk with your boss about a raise, be sure to ask a raise on a regular base, f.e. every half-year a certain percentage.

 

rgds

 

nisus

[John Dollus]

Around here, 3d is considered a basic skill for someone entering the architecture field. Then again, most firms in the Midwest use 3d for massing models or maybe for mocking up a design element. Animation is rarely used because it takes valuable hours away from producing construction documents.

The quickest way to increase your salary in architecture is to change jobs. In a small market, however, it will not take long for you to become known for that and it will work against you. With the economy in the U.S. down, there is a large skilled labor pool aout there. If you are not happy with your pay, your boss knows that there are several people just waiting for a chance to work. In this region, many trade schools have been cranking out people who say they have 3d skills. You and I know how useful those skills are, but a manager can bring that person in at a very low rate and train them for a year using all of your past work and the company will still be ahead.

Architecture firms realize that the client pays the same for a poor rendering that they do for a good rendering (unless it's gov't work), so why spend the time/money for a top-notch 3d department? After all, it is the building that they are getting paid for, not pixels.

With the rising cost of health insurance, benefits can become a substantial part of compensation.

 

John D

 

John Dollus