Sourpickles Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Hey guys just curious if some one or multiple some ones could give me some ideas of salaries in the Tampa Bay area? I have 5 years Exp. My work on a scale of 10 I'd say is at a 7. I do have room to grow. I was making 41,500 at my job 3 years ago but curious if that is low or high? I was seeing salaries in the 45-55k a year range when searching a few years ago. If I can get this interview I'm applying to am I safe asking for 45k? Ideas and numbers are appreciated! I looked in the salary section but didn't see anything that helped me out or I just missed it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 What would the job entail exactly? -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sourpickles Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 hey there... its a arch viz position. also do product viz too. pretty reputable, they have been in 3D world a few times in articles and instruction/tutorials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 There are many levels within ArchViz and I live in St. Louis, not Tampa but my initial impression is that 45k seems rather low. Hopefully one of our Floridian friends can chime in. -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sourpickles Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 Well yea Florida is a pain. Ive seen salaries from 25k starting to as high as 75k a year.... not starting but. Anyways most positions I find is always offering in the range of 30-50k a year. Its a massive range so I have not a clue what to ever ask for. 45k to me is pretty perfect and would be happy. 50 would be a dream. The position title is entry arch viz... but id like to think I could still ask for 45k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Schroeder Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ask high, they can always talk you down. But you can never talk yourself up if you low ball the initial salary request. To me, with 5 years under your belt, you should be in the high 50's to 60's easy. Regardless of where you live. Though with that 5 years comes the stigma that you won't even be looked at for entry level spots as you'll ask to much. It's a tough balance, but if you know your work is worth it then don't ever sell yourself short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 If that's the range you're seeing in that area, it's a step up from where you're at now, and you're comfortable with that price then go with it, although from a national level I'd think Scott's estimate sounds more reasonable. I live in the midwest which isn't known for it's high cost of living or high salaries and it seems low to me for what that's worth. Do you expect to have to come up with an initial number? Perhaps it's safer to steer clear of that issue and let them make you an offer once they decide how much they think you're worth to the company? If you must, I'd give them a range and suggest that it's difficult to give a definitive number without knowing the complete package (which is true because there are factors like benefits, vacation time, work environment, room for growth, healthcare, 401k, profit sharing, salary/hourly, etc. which should inform your decision). 40k with lots of benefits and an hourly salary might be a great deal while 45k with crappy benefits and no overtime pay might be bad. So you might suggest that you're 'thinking something in the 40-50k range is reasonable but the final number would depend on what the complete package looked like." But again, if you can avoid the subject I think it's wise. -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sourpickles Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 well anything is better then what I have right now really. I was laid off over 2 years ago and been working as a "graphic designer" but I'm being paid like I pack bags at the grocer. That's why I'm really wanting to narrow down a good number so I dont run them off ya know? I NEED this. Florida has noooooothing. I been applying to maybe 1 3D hiring company a month in this state, compared to like 30-40 a month to places out of the state. No one will talk to me since I'm out of state hence I'm still looking. Sounds good though! I'm going to take all your info and use it during todays interview. I generally play dumb when money comes up and force them to take the first step. Take it no one in Florida or from Florida knows of general salaries eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Good luck with the interview. Please let us know how it goes. -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sourpickles Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 Phone interview went pretty great! They did say it's a entry level to me like 4 or 5 times so that scares me a little as far as maybe they will go with the low end I hear from places in Florida... like 30-35k. We didn't speak money though. He did mention it has full benefits that kick in in 30 days. Also the fact then mentioned they have to crunch number to see if they can hire 2 of us. Anyways I'll know in about a week if I get an in person interview. He said I put up no red flags so I think I'll be heading up in a week or so. Still hoping for the 45k.... but not sounding like thatll happen....hmm... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sourpickles Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 OK crazy cause I didnt ee this before. I did a google search: 3d salary tampa... Here's what I got ( I edited out the company though just to be respectful. 3D Modeler Graphic Artist ______________ 1 $45760 $45760- $45760 Tampa,FL Hire date -2006-03-15 3D MODELER GRAPHICS ARTIST _________________ 1 $60000 $60000- $60000 Tampa,FL View Hire date -2009-04-16 Soooooo..... ummm.... Those aren't extry I'm sure.... so maybe I'm safe with 45-50k after all?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ya, sounds like he's prepping you for a low number. But at least it's something, as you said before. Hopefully you get the job and it tides you over until things open up a bit and you're able to find something better. Keep us posted and good luck. -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Sounds like those numbers are better than you thought so that's great. They seem more in line with what I'd expect. Even an 'entry level' position in archviz should pay pretty well as it typically takes as much architectural knowledge and background as an arch intern plus a lot more software knowledge and other specialty knowledge and training as well. -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sourpickles Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) LOL I'm finding all sorts of there salaries now.... 3d Modeler - Graphics Artist -------- $60,000 Tampa, FL, 33601 04/16/2009 3d Modeler - Graphics Artist -------- $36,733 Tampa, FL, 33601 04/16/2009 They are all over the place.... Edited March 1, 2012 by Sourpickles whoops I put the company name lol :) my bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sourpickles Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 Sounds like those numbers are better than you thought so that's great. They seem more in line with what I'd expect. Even an 'entry level' position in archviz should pay pretty well as it typically takes as much architectural knowledge and background as an arch intern plus a lot more software knowledge and other specialty knowledge and training as well. -Brodie Well turns out this position is more on product rendering and animations. Mostly lighting and texturing with some graphic work. Not so much modeling he says. So that's another reason I expect to hear it on the low end at this point...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Well turns out this position is more on product rendering and animations. Mostly lighting and texturing with some graphic work. Not so much modeling he says. So that's another reason I expect to hear it on the low end at this point...? Possibly I suppose, but it could also be seen the other way around. I think modeling is the 3d equivalent to drafting in the architecture world. If you were going to hire 1 cheap employee and 1 expensive employee which would you have do the modeling and which would you have do the lighting/texturing? -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devin Johnston Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Hopefully Jeff will kick off the 2012 salary survey soon and we can get a better understanding of where we all stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sourpickles Posted March 11, 2012 Author Share Posted March 11, 2012 oook...I got the job! finally. I have only had 2 inperson interviews in 3 years. The other one I didnt get in Denver cause I lived in Florida so really I'm 1 for 1. but..... im only making $15 an hour which is like 31000 a year. MASSIVE hit! Said they start all entry levels people at same pay but if I am what they think I am I will start seeing nice raises in the future. They are one of the top companies in Florida and the country so I'm happy for that part. They are the reason so many VRay patches come out honestly. Big time partner with them. So I'm happy Other down side is my title is graphic artist I. they had a big pressing need for that more then the 3d because some one put in a 2 week notice the day i went to see them. they are swamped but said I will cross train with the 3d guys and many other departments like Autocad, revit and so on while i work there. so good chance i will learn toooooooooooooooooooooons of programs while there. most people are also in the 10 yr range there so lots of happy people!! wish i could be making better money but oh well... its better then the mess i was in before. i will be taking the 3d ext renders and putting vegetation to them in photo shop, create brochures, websites, ect... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianyamagata Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Congrats on the new job! From your description, it sounds like a great opportunity, even though the pay is a bit low. Hope all goes well and your design cravings are satiated. After all, that is the most important thing in this field! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Yes, congrats! Glad you let us know how it went and that it all turned out well. It sounds like you'll be getting some great experience -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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