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Ask HN: Starting pay for junior dev & UI designer?

6 points by joshuahays ↗ HN
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?

16 comments

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martinshen
I 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
Given 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
I 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
I'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
That'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
I'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
Interesting... what part of Florida? Close to Orlando? He's in NSB.
brandoncordell
A short drive outside of Tampa. Close to an hour to an hour and a half outside of Orlando.
joshuahays
You 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
Sure 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
Very true
achompas
Joshua,

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
I'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
This 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
I agree with others. 30k is way too low. Hire a freelancer (15 hrs a week)
joshuahays
I think he's going to need full-time guys, but its a good suggestion!