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• Blake:
  September 29th, 2008

  I would definitely like to be making a good living off of my freelance web design and developing work. I am actually just getting started in the whole freelancing gig, but it is something that I would like to do. Web developing and design is a passion of mine, and I would love to pursue the passion. And at the same time, as you said, prevent commuting and the hassle of 9 to 5.

  I’ve just recently started a blog of my own called, The Rise Up. I urge everyone to go and check it out and leave comments so I can get it rolling! Thanks!

  http://www.theriseup.blogspot.com

  Blake

• Sergio Ordoñez:
  September 30th, 2008

  When you mean the web industry I think you mean the USA web industry, I really doubt that is the average salary in any other country (maybe Germany or UK).

  Im freelancing for around 4 and my salary is a little bit above the agerage salary, though in Spain the salary of a graphic designer is below 20.000US$/year. For a experienced web designer it wouldnt be over 25.000-30.0000US/year.

  Would be nice seeing that statistics by countries, not sure if you have any info about that.

  Nice blog :)
  Sergio

• Danno:
  September 30th, 2008

  @Blake: You’re in an exciting position. Getting started in today’s economic conditions is going to prove additionally challenging … and rewarding when you gain some victories.

  @Sergio: Hmm you are right. I’m going to look into the USA thing and update the post accordingly. Cheers.

• Blake:
  September 30th, 2008

  I’m trying to get into the “niche” web design/developing field. Meaning high quality flash design and stuff like that. From what I see, today, these are starting to take a rise compared to basic HTML/CSS designed web sites. Even though according to these figures, flash designers are one of the lowest paid. I’d say staying freelance in something like this would be the best way to go. Thanks for the reply Danno.

• Shawn:
  October 3rd, 2008

  Hey, great article man, nice research. I found your site doing a google search for “average freelance income”, which people seem to find my site using. I figured I should write a blog post about it.

  Anyway, I’ll link your post in mine, great resource.

• jowant:
  October 17th, 2008

  nice info, i expected for salary on other project to the future, In Indonesian salary scope of work Web Design is, lower …

• Erick:
  October 20th, 2008

  Danno-

  A few questions:

  1. What is the difference between a web designer and web developer?

  2. As a novice.. What degrees should one obtain to become a web designer or web developer?

  3. What’s your educational background?

  Thanks!

• Danno:
  October 20th, 2008

  Hey Erick.

  Typically, designers are front-end web workers and developers are back-end web workers. Most people in our field cross over these disciplines in varying amounts.

  Not sure about degrees, I don’t have any and couldn’t advise you there as I am self-taught.

  For ten plus years I’ve studied at the Applied Academy of Google. ;-)

• Erick:
  October 21st, 2008

  Danno-

  Thanks for getting back to me! A couple more questions.. Is your book for the novice who wants become a freelance web designer/web producer? As a novice, and a resonably intelligent person.. How long does it take to absorb the fundatmentals, go through trial and errors, and begin to make some $$ as a professional?

  Regards,

  Erick

• Danno:
  October 22nd, 2008

  Erick … the book is geared for all levels. I’m a firm believer that there are only a handful of superstar designers and then there’s the rest of us. What really matters is being good enough for your client base and since there are many different levels of buyers out there there is a niche for everyone. The book shows you how to how to build your client base and keep your clients happy.

  This is a huge topic and I could go on, but that’s why I wrote a book! I say just buy it.

  It’s well priced and backed with a money back guarantee. You’ve got nothing to lose … go ahead and judge for yourself.

  Cheers.

• MP King:
  October 26th, 2008

  Danno,

  Thank you for the honest input. I’m researching for a college paper came across your site while looking for salary numbers. I have to say, your information has been the most helpful and the most inspiring so far, making me really glad and excitied to learn more and get started in the field. Have had an interest for some time and now just beginning to take the steps to learn. I will definitely return to your page to keep up with your latest contributions and expertise on the subject.

  Peace,

  MP King

• Danno:
  October 26th, 2008

  Hey MP. Glad to hear it and good luck with your paper.

• Marco:
  June 13th, 2009

  I think these figures nare pretty accurate in the US. I did the corporate ($120K but in the dotCom bubble) and freelance route ($95K). I am now a freelancer and in the process of hiring my wife a couple of subcontractor to try to expand the business. The economy has been a boon for me. Never been busier!?!.
  I think the secret is to know a bit of everything, be able to learn fast and specialize in something popular. For me it was Open Source software. When I got sick I stopped working. I came back and I did not have a support system anymore but I found it again in Open Source software.

• Marco:
  June 13th, 2009

  I have been thinking about this report in regard to Flash Developers.
  I know flash well and I used to do some Flash development in the day. I was a beta tester for the program that preceded Flash and eventually was bought by Macromedia.

  Flash is very time consuming. Like all timeline based work (video/audio editing, 3D design, etc) it takes forever to get anything done. Save for the few clients that have the budget, most Flash work is probably underpaid and undervalued when comparing the time it take and what you can charge.

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• vitiligo:
  November 9th, 2009

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• Brian Miller:
  November 17th, 2009

  I'm doing some research on freelance salary potential, I don't see how you can make 90k a year doing web design and development (graphic design, html/css, php, etc)?

  If you take 90,000 and divide it by an average of $2500 per job/site that means you'd have to create 36 sites a year or 3 a month.

  I only do my freelance on the side part time but I'd find it hard to average $2500 per site and even harder to get 3 jobs a month.

  What are you opinions? Is this unrealistic or very obtainable? What are other ways you generate income and what % comes from those avenues?

• Daniel Vivarelli:
  November 17th, 2009

  Hey Brian. There really is no quick answer to your question/comment of "… how you can make 90k a year doing web design …". The answer is bigger than a blog comment and with time, practice and trial and error you will work out what to focus on, what to measure and tweak and what to let slide when it comes to being happy and profitable as a web worker.

  Since this is broad and deep subject is why (shameless plug) I wrote a concise how-to manual on the methods I use. There is a link to it in the sidebar of this site (big graphic "Elite Freelancing Method". This consists of tactics which I employ as part of an overall strategy to get clients and keep them happy, work less and make more $ for the time I put into my business. I'm not advocating it's the only method to be a happy and profitable web nerd, however, this formula has worked well for me.

  Hope this helps.

• Steve:
  December 4th, 2009

  I'm vastly underpaid!

• david:
  January 4th, 2010

  yes, you do 90,000 a year working 25 hours a week. But why don't you work 50 hours a week so you can get 180,000 a year instead of counting histories to sell your books. Don't loose money man or you are trying to get money from us.

• mohsen:
  January 18th, 2010

  i'm a graphic designer ( web & print) web designer & flash designer & flash developer & user interface designer form IRAN ,I am an expert in css & xhtml & dreamwaver & photoshop & corel draw & freehand & fireworks & flash & action script 2.0 & action script 3.0& template design for joomla , wordpress , phpnuke , MT ,vbulletin and i know some php & my sql ,
  but my salary is below 5.000US$/year in IRAN

• Links:
  February 26th, 2010

  [...] payscale – elite [...]

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• Arun:
  March 19th, 2010

  Thanks for the valuable information..

• Richard:
  March 24th, 2010

  First off I want to say I enjoyed this post and discussion, and that I am curious what rates you were charging, on average per site, to acheive that level of income on the amount of time put in. But I also want to say I checked out the sample chapter on building a killer portfolio and in essence you are advising to very lightly deceive people into thinking you have worked with international brands. Not outright lying but it is sort of taking advantage of people’s attention spans a bit. Granted, I’ve seen worse things, and yes, a study is a perfectly legitimate way to both improve and demonstrate your skills if you are new. But after reading that I couldn’t help but question the authenticity of the tax return you posted on your site. What you posted was the return you generated. Any piece of tax software could create this document without actually filing it with the CRA. And hey, if you’re OK with glossing over the portfolio a bit, why not the sales copy for a book you wrote? That is more of an observation than a criticism, mainly what I want to say is be careful about drawing fine ethical lines (or encouraging readers to) because it could hurt your credibility as an author. Regardless, I am sure your book has lots of great advice and I may still buy it. Thanks!

• Danno:
  April 2nd, 2010

  Hey Richard. Thanks for your frank, firm and polite comment. Of course you are correct on a few points. My Elite Folios can take advantage of the limitations on people's attention spans and lack of attention to detail. With that said, there is nothing untoward about the technique and being upfront by labeling your pieces as "brand study for X" and "All trademarks are copyright of their respective owners" is the way to keep everything above board.

  Regarding my tax return hehee, I really don't know what to tell you. If I wanted to deceive anyone I would have used sexier numbers. You raise a good point though and that is that in this age of Photoshop, nothing should be taken for granted. All I can say is you (and everyone else) need to use your best judgment and weigh everything up. I can tell you frankly that I had some hesitancy (for privacy reasons) about posting my tax return at all but with the right blurring felt it was a good compromise between showing the income numbers and still preserving sensitive data.

  Thanks!

• Danno:
  April 2nd, 2010

  David: If just making more and more money is your definition of success then I encourage you to work as hard trading your time for cash.

  Me, I'm happy to work less, still make a good living and have TIME to pursue other priorities (family, friends, other ventures). Really depends on what your priorities are. For me, free time to spend as I wish is much more valuable then working longer hours for more money.

• Danno:
  April 2nd, 2010

  Too big a topic to address here, which is why I wrote my book. You need to read it if you want to know the formula I use.

  I can tell you as newer pursuit I have been experimenting with passive income models for web designers and developers which you can read about in a recent post I made.

• Danno:
  April 2nd, 2010

  Kind of you to say so. Thanks.

• Danno:
  April 2nd, 2010

  You could outsource any Flash development to a reliable offshore team. You get charged $X for their time and bill out at $Y. You would behave in the capacity of creative and technical director to ensure the quality of work is up to your (and your client's) expectations and be the liaison between your team and client. That's one way to do it.

• Danno:
  April 2nd, 2010

  Thank you.

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