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Ask HN: Starting pay for junior dev & UI designer?
I've got a friend who owns a small company that is looking to improve the technology end of their business. It isn't a tech-centered company, but they need to improve upon what they have.
What should I tell him to expect to pay a junior developer and UI designer annually? He wouldn't need someone with lots of experience, just someone who could get the job done right and someone eager for a career. It would be full time salary, with benefits, would have their own office and is based in central Florida.
I was thinking mid 30's for UI designer and mid 40's for junior dev considering what I listed above. Thoughts?
- martinshen 15y agoI don't think you'd be able to hire anyone who labels themselves as a UI designer or a junior dev for anything under 45K with benefits. I know someone who recently hired a UI guy who had just graduated college and built a few minor sites' UI, he started at 60K plus benefits. The alternative is hiring a graphics designer who can come in at around $30Kish
- sbisker 15y agoGiven the location, you might be able to get away with 40-45k for someone with very little experience. That goes for both UI design and junior development. That said, if you're serious about having them make a career there, I wouldn't low-ball them too much - or at least be prepared to give them a big raise their second year. Within about a year, if they're any good at all, they're going to realize that they can make more elsewhere - especially if they're willing to leave central FL. I think Orlando would bring both positions at least 60k with a year of experience, and the last thing you want is to train someone for a whole year only to have them leave because they feel their job isn't competitive / is "dead-end".
- joshuahays 15y agoI wouldn't consider it low-balling, I figured it pretty close to the paying rate outside of a major city in Florida. Plus, there aren't very many tech-centered jobs in this area... could be a good opportunity. :)
- sbisker 15y agoI'm not saying it's not a good opportunity for the right person. I'm just saying that by starting with a salary that low, the odds of them keeping the person around more than a year or two are slim. That may or may not matter, depending on the objective.
- joshuahays 15y agoThat's true. But, if the medium is low to mid 40's (UI) and he starts them at mid 30's, a few raises in the first year would be a quick boost to the 'going rate'. I wouldn't stick around either without a yearly or even bi-yearly raise!
- brandoncordell 15y agoI'm a Jr. developer located in Central Florida and I wouldn't accept anything under 50k for this area. Granted I'm talking Jr. developer, not someone just out of school with no experience.
- joshuahays 15y agoInteresting... what part of Florida? Close to Orlando? He's in NSB.
- brandoncordell 15y agoA short drive outside of Tampa. Close to an hour to an hour and a half outside of Orlando.
- joshuahays 15y agoYou might be in a better market for this, Tampa is pretty well influenced by tech... especially in recent years. His area is EMPTY. lol
- brandoncordell 15y agoSure there's probably a better market in Tampa. But... If you pay the developer what the area dictates they're worth instead of what the developer is worth you'll experience a high turn over rate.
- joshuahays 15y agoVery true
- achompas 15y agoJoshua, What's your contact info? I know a good UI guy who just moved to central FL--he might be a good fit for your friend. Alex (achompas [at] gmail)
- nhangen 15y agoI've been playing with the job market and I agree with some of the posters below, anything under 50k, even for someone with no experience, is a no-go. With a bit of hard work and some cold calling, it's easy to make far more than that freelancing.
- joshuahays 15y agoThis is true, freelancing and contract work always pays nicely, but a steady paycheck is sometimes more important... especially if you can double your income with freelance.
- codingstaff 15y agoI agree with others. 30k is way too low. Hire a freelancer (15 hrs a week)
- joshuahays 15y agoI think he's going to need full-time guys, but its a good suggestion!