What are Salary/Benefits for an entry-level web designer?

[schw0722]

Hello all,
I have an interview tomorrow for an entry level job as a Web Designer and UI Developer at a small (10 person) web design firm in a medium-sized city in the midwest. I have looked around the web a bit at salary surveys, and I'm seeing everything from $40k - $80k.

I have a background and a BA in visual arts and a portfolio of web design work that is small, but shows off my talents in front-end design well (check out www.EdanSchwartz.com (http://www.EdanSchwartz.com)).

I would really appreciate any thoughts on salary and benefit information. I am wondering if flex-hours are fairly common, and what kind of time-off benefits are typical. I have also thought about negotiating with the employer to sponsor some further education (eg university course-work in design, community ed courses, certificate courses, etc.).

Thanks in advance for the thoughts!

[Divinityfound]

Well... without a BA... I work as a front end web developer.

I get $25K yearly, IRA matched 3%, and 100% medical, but no dental and the like. Just something to compare against so you know what you are worth minimum.

Also I work an entry level position, but I got job offers in the range of:

50% medical and $35K, $28K & 80% medical and dental with 1% IRA... so something to think about.

[eputkonen]

If you are entry-level, what you really need is experience...I would pretty much take anything you could live on. Getting work experience is more important than pay for entry-level people. I know entry-level people who can not find work.

Check out Glassdoor.com - http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/web-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,12_SAAS.htm

The response before me said 25K (about right without a degree), but if you have a degree I would expect at least in the 30's. I would say 35 - 45K is an entry-level salary for not just web design...but many other professions.

A small firm may not be able to pay as much - so keep that in mind. Small firms also are not able to give as good benefits - because they don't have the volume and money for corporate packages usually. As for time off, you could see 2 weeks...but I would not be suprised at 1 week a year.

Flex-time is not all that common in most companies that I have worked at, but it is steadily becoming more common. Usually, there are core hours you have to be in the office.

I have been an IT recruiter for most of my decade in the recruiting industry, and I would not bargain too hard for an entry-level position. That level is seen as easily replacable...and they might just hire someone else instead.

[ironboy]

We would probably give someone with your background an entry level salary around 40-45K. (Considering I live and work in Europe, I'm surprised how similar the salaries seem to be... although the tax and insurance systems are somewhat different).

[myfayt]

Entry-level, $15 - $20 per hour.