The average salary of a BDes graduate is greatly influenced by the location, specialization, and experience. Generally, a fresh graduate can expect an annual salary of between $40,000 and $50,000, which increases with experience. Specializations such as graphic design, industrial design, or UX/UI design tend to pay more in tech-focused areas.
Geographic location also becomes a significant contributing factor to expected pay. For example, graduates in city centers such as New York or London will earn more than those in small towns or countries with low cost of living. Where experience and specialisation add on, over time, the established portfolio is brought with career development, and pay reaches as high as $70 000 in leadership roles and senior creative positions within established firms or startups.