A career in Georgia’s visual communication industry can be extremely rewarding. It is an industry that rewards creativity and individuality. Many people tend to romanticize jobs in the industry. However, it is called a job for a reason. Hard work, perseverance and an impeccable creative product culminate in a lucrative, fulfilling career.

The subjectivity of the industry can lead to difficulty.  What is “fair” and how much one should charge for your creativity? What does an illustrator bill? What about an art director, account manager, or web designer?

When evaluating a job, a “day rate” can be used as an objective measure of pay. The following list reflects comparative day rates for an eight-hour workday. The rates do not include overtime.

For many purchasers and sellers of creativity, the question is not, “What is fair?”  The question many times is, “What will the market bear?” Creativity is a commodity. It is bought and sold, subject to the market laws of supply and demand, the seller’s ability to accurately adjust volume and margin, and a purchaser’s market savvy. It is important to realize that most jobs require practical experience and education, and all require a willingness to work hard. Market forces, experience, and availability cause rates to fluctuate. The low end of the scale represents pay for a creative with minimal experience, while the high end describes compensation for a specialist in the field. Specialists usually have many years of experience, technical expertise, and excellent reputations and references.

Special thanks to the industry professionals who provided this valuable information and brought objectivity and fairness to a highly subjective topic for your use. And remember, creative talent in Georgia means business, no subjectivity there.

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