Australian illustrator salary question

[mi75]

I'm thinking seriously about calling it quits as a freelancer in the new year due to lack of work in past 12-24 months and I'm no spring chicken anymore (34) and money is becoming an issue.

 

I have two options.

1) I look for employment as a illustrator for a more established studio or Architectural firm.

2) I get back into real estate sales which I did many years ago (didn't really enjoy it).

 

My question is what sort of salary would you expect with 8+ years experience dealing with clients, deadlines and an above average portfolio using Max + Vray.

 

Any inside information would be very helpful in making my decision on which path to go down.

 

I read the 06 salary survey but I'm after more up to date info for today economy.

 

 

Thanks

 

Martin

Edited November 25, 2009 by mi75

[WAcky]

Try the 09 survey then!

 

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/38395-2009-architectural-visualization-survey-results.html

[mi75]

I have!

 

Maybe I missed something WAcky, but I didn't see anything about expected salaries for Australians working for an Arch firm or 3d Studio as an illustrator with experience.

 

The info Jeff put together was fantastic, don't get me wrong, but my question was more specific.

[WAcky]

Fair enough. I wouldn't have a clue personally. I work by/for myself.

 

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[Justin Hunt]

which city are you looking? There is a huge differences between the majors even though the cost of living is pretty close.

 

For 8 years+ experience I say 70K+ for an in-house job, for a studio I have no idea.

 

The salary scales have been thrown out with alot of places cutting salaries, so I too would be interested to find out what the norm would be.

 

jhv

[mi75]

Thanks guys.

 

WAcky - Yeah that's my problem. I've been self employed for most of my life so I have no idea what its like to be employed, or what pay to expect or even how to write a resume. Man I sound old!

 

Justin - I'll move anywhere in OZ for a good job, I'm not tied down to any state. I'm in QLD now but been thinking of Melb for a while.

 

One guy I know working for an Arch Viz Studio with about 7 years at the same place is on $60K, the others are around $50K. I realise the quality of your work is a big factor. I'd also assume the higher the pay grade the more responsibility you'd have and you'd probably be doing less 3d and more management of the others in the team.

[Justin Hunt]

50K is shocking. are they in a studio? Studios do tend to have much lower salaries, and you are expected to work crazy hours. Many dont have the work/life balance right.

 

I took a big pay cut coming up from Melbourne to brizzie. In the end it was worth it, the life style is much better.

 

jhv

[mahorela]

As someone who is pretty involved in a studio a realistic figure for a senior artist is between 60k and 80k......at the end of the day it doesn't really matter how long you have been doing it for, it comes down to the strength of your work.

 

Now is a pretty bad time as Justin said.....it's not like there are jobs everywhere for viz guys which allows employers the confidence to play hard ball on salaries etc, but I expect that will change next year. Hopefully we will all be in a more powerful position to demand increasing salaries.

[Justin Hunt]

I sure hope so, as with everyone else how has taken a cut in salary I hope its not too long.

 

jhv

[mi75]

Justin - Yeah that's 50k in a studio, great working environment. The owner is my ex-business partner and one of my best mates. Very relaxed place to work. I've been thinking of going the other way and moving to Melb but everyone seems to coming up here so maybe I'm missing something (30yrs on the GC). I hear the social life is much better down south just not sure about the weather and cost of living. If you don't mind me asking what type of percentage cut did you have to take moving to QLD.

 

Mahorela - I agree it doesn't seem like a good time right now but fingers crossed for 2010. I may end up back in Real Estate while still marketing my current 3D Studio until things look better. Real estate is one of the few jobs where you can "hide" a second business in the background. I love doing the work so much that it would be a pity to throw the towel in totally.

 

Thanks for the response guys

[Justin Hunt]

about 10%, this was 5 years ago. I just got back to where I was when I left then the GFC hit and I almost back to where I started.

 

I work in-house mainly because they are really good people to work with and the pay is good. One of the main factors for not going to a studio is the poor pay scale and the fact I couldn't do freelance work. If that was the case, they would have to cover the short fall, which put me way out of their scale.

 

If it wasn't for the freelance work I'd be in deep trouble.

 

Personally I've been working toward self employment for 8 years. Everytime I get there, either the fear factor or finances stop me. For the past few years I think I have found the right balance of 9 to 5 work, freelance and family life, now to find time to sleep

 

jhv

[Spacelord]

Hi Justin I can understand your fear going it alone, it can get quite tough.

My partner and i have been doing it for 7 years and you have to be cashed up for the quite times. Specially this year if it wasn't for the savings I would be working for someone else.

 

cheers