4 answers
Ta'Asia
Student
Kissimmee, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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How do you know what your rates should be when you start out as a freelancer in the graphic design field #Spring25?
Let's say I wanted to freelance instead of working for a company. What should be a good rate to start at? Also, how would I get my work out there? Is social media the only way, or are there other ways as well?
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3 answers
Mark Eagle
CTO
52
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Upwork offers good rate options. LinkedIn lets you display your work. Create a sales and marketing plan using social media and CRM tools. Keep your current job until you know how to find clients.
Thank you!
Ta'Asia
Fiverr can also give you rate info for freelancing. I consider it more entry than Upwork, however, it is a good start. I would recommend a low rate until you get recommendations.
Mark Eagle
Rhoda C
Graphic Designer
9
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Rhoda’s Answer
Your pay depends on how much experience you have.
- If you have 0-3 years of experience, you might earn $17-21 per hour. For projects like logo design, you could charge around $110-130, depending on the number of revisions you offer.
- With 3-5 years of experience, the rate is about $25-30 per hour, and project fees can range from $200-300.
- If you have over 5 years of experience, you could earn $45 or more per hour, and project fees might be $300-500 or higher.
LinkedIn is a helpful tool for finding salary information. You can look up entry-level graphic designer positions to get an idea. However, since LinkedIn isn't focused on freelance work, it might not give you the exact rates you're looking for. Consider how much you want to earn per hour and remember to include the cost of any tools you need as a freelance graphic designer.
- If you have 0-3 years of experience, you might earn $17-21 per hour. For projects like logo design, you could charge around $110-130, depending on the number of revisions you offer.
- With 3-5 years of experience, the rate is about $25-30 per hour, and project fees can range from $200-300.
- If you have over 5 years of experience, you could earn $45 or more per hour, and project fees might be $300-500 or higher.
LinkedIn is a helpful tool for finding salary information. You can look up entry-level graphic designer positions to get an idea. However, since LinkedIn isn't focused on freelance work, it might not give you the exact rates you're looking for. Consider how much you want to earn per hour and remember to include the cost of any tools you need as a freelance graphic designer.
Thank you, Rhoda for the advice.
Ta'Asia
Jessica Ruyle
Executive Content Creator
10
Answers
Croswell, Michigan
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hey Ta'Asia,
I agree with Rhoda that your pay depends on how much experience you have.
If you're looking to get started with freelance work, platforms like Fiverr can be a great way to find gigs that match your interests and you can get a gauge on what payment others are requesting for their work. I’ve had success through community-based social media groups as well, like Facebook groups for your local area, where people often look for design help.
Having a portfolio is incredibly valuable to have, especially when you are marketing yourself on social media. It gives potential clients a clear idea of what you can do and helps them feel more confident choosing you for their projects. Be open to any opportunities that come your way—the more projects you take on and the more clients you work with, the more your confidence will grow, and so will your freelance client base.
I agree with Rhoda that your pay depends on how much experience you have.
If you're looking to get started with freelance work, platforms like Fiverr can be a great way to find gigs that match your interests and you can get a gauge on what payment others are requesting for their work. I’ve had success through community-based social media groups as well, like Facebook groups for your local area, where people often look for design help.
Having a portfolio is incredibly valuable to have, especially when you are marketing yourself on social media. It gives potential clients a clear idea of what you can do and helps them feel more confident choosing you for their projects. Be open to any opportunities that come your way—the more projects you take on and the more clients you work with, the more your confidence will grow, and so will your freelance client base.
Thank you, Jessica, this was really helpful!
Ta'Asia