College graduates are entering the workforce with a small salary bump. On average, college grads will earn $45K. But, this figure is misleading because it doesn’t take into account that certain college majors typically have larger starting salaries. We’ll dive into the data and find out which college majors typically have higher salaries, along with the type of companies that are willing to pay new grads more.
With high unemployment levels, the recent recession and a growing student loan bubble, finding a job right out of school has never been harder. The average starting salary for college graduates was $27,000 in 2008. This article will provide an overview of the current state of the job market and discuss ways to secure a high-paying position during this time period.
Average starting salary for college graduates
The above article is a snapshot of how millennials perceive the job market in 2017 and for them it is quite concerning. However, as seen in this chart, the average starting salary for college graduates has increased over the years. The articles maintains that is not all that surprising considering the high value of a college degree. Further, they state that although job market prospects may not seem as bright, many still opt to attend college and graduate school because they know a college education will pay off financially.
Overall, the data seems to suggest that newer design specialties will likely net you a higher starting salary as a new graduate—but perhaps not as much room for growth going forward. However, the graphics and visual design work is generally more qualitative, which may make it less of a priority for companies that value metrics over big ideas. We should also note that both fields might face challenges relating to their public perception, but if either is something you’re genuinely interested in pursuing, the data suggests there’s a place for you in the field and potential to earn a fair amount starting out.
I think it’s really important to note that the salary of a newly graduated designer depends greatly upon their experience level. Generally speaking, if you have a Masters Degree from a top notch school, have interned at a top design firm, and have 3+ years of experience under your belt, you can probably command about $80K on average for your first job out of school. I also think that it’s important to use your current skill set to your advantage. Some employers might be willing to train you for additional skills in exchange for lower pay. Experience is more valuable than any degree or certifications, so if you’re interested in getting into a certain type of work like web development or front-end design, then try looking around. There are plenty of ways to do this that don’t cost money, and are even beneficial in the long term by building your portfolio and connections in the field.
Above all, the survey data highlights an important and vital role that graphic designers have in the world of business. Their ability to translate ideas into visual concepts is still incredibly crucial to businesses as they try to attract more customers and gain more sales. Overall, there are very positive signs for new graduates entering the field, and their optimism about the future should serve them well as they take on this exciting career.”
The data reflects a number of interesting trends and hopefully will be a help to aspiring designers entering the workforce.
