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

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".

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.

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.

I agree with others. 30k is way too low. Hire a freelancer (15 hrs a week)

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