Hello, I have a question regarding salary. The company I work for has had all of their character design and animation farmed out. When I came in they decided to try to bring it in-house. After a succesful test project, we got the go ahead and I'm to be moved into my new role as Lead Character Artist. My responsibilities are to design the characters, model and texture them, and oversee and advize the contract animators. My question is: what is a reasonable salary to expect for this? I just wrapped up my first year in the industry, going from a concept designer, 2D/concept artist, now to Lead Character. The company I work for has a long running series of titles and employs in the 50-75 range of employees in the Seattle area. They're great to work for, and I don't expect them to low-ball me, but I would appreciate any ideas on what kind of figure I could/should expect. I tried to find a salary survey, but the most recent one available seemed to be Gamasutra's from 2003. Thanks very much! jimmy_009

See the GameCareerGuide.com 6th Annual Salary Survey.

The salary survey is a good place to start, but ultimately whatever paycheck you bring home depends on what you personally negotiate. If you are valuable for something specific or you feel you need more money, ask for it and justify.

If you can delay salary negotiation until the end, they'll be at the phase 'we have to hire them, now we just work out the final details'. That is the best time for the employee to negotiate.

How much are you making now? Taking a lead position like that should entail a 25% pay increase, at the least.