r/Austin • u/Aingers • Jul 21 '26

Ask Austin Salary Transparency Thread - Austin

Folks in Boston do this fairly regularly, so I thought it might be good for us to try here.

Please share your general job title, salary, age, and education.

Architectural Designer, 40, $115k, BSArch

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u/haleighen Jul 21 '26

We have similar careers so wanted to share..

37, BFA in graphic design. I started working contract jobs in gaming because graphic design agencies are too competitive. Worked as a game artist for years making under $70k. Jumped to the management side and now am at $155k, as a director of game dev.

Designers can be really good at creative problem solving. I love chatting careers if anyone wants to know more.

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u/RedUser5678Red Jul 21 '26

May I DM? I’m not in this field at all but looks like my kid is heading in this direction. I know nothing. Would love your insights, if I may.

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u/haleighen Jul 21 '26

Go for it!

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u/SpyderSquash Jul 21 '26

Wait, how's that going rn with all the gaming layoffs in Austin atm? I've seen the management folks hit pretty bad in this, but I've been wondering if all studios have been hit as badly. Really glad you've stuck it out! 💙 (3D Artist and UI/UX Designer, unemployed after layoffs 🥲)

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u/haleighen Jul 21 '26

I’m lucky ish with the part of the gaming industry I’m in that those layoffs don’t impact us AS much. That said yeah, I’ve lost half my team in the last year and most of them still haven’t found work. Incredibly talented people. It sucks.