Two designers. Same skills. Same tools.
One earns $40K. The other makes six figures.
It’s not luck. It’s not talent. It’s strategy.
The real difference between high and low earners
Many designers believe their income depends on their skill level. They think if they learn Figma better or master the latest UI trend, clients will magically find them and pay more.
That’s a mistake.
High-earning designers don’t just design, they position themselves as problem solvers. Here’s how:
One waits for clients.
The other finds them.
The $40K designer hopes clients discover them. They set up a portfolio, tweak their social media, and wait.
The six-figure designer actively reaches out. They:
Build relationships with businesses that need design help.
Engage in online communities where potential clients hang out.
Cold email companies with value-packed proposals.
They know that clients don’t magically appear, you need a system to attract them.
One prices for hours.
The other prices for results.
Hourly pricing caps your income. You can only work so many hours.
High-earning designers charge for outcomes:
Instead of ‘”‘$50/hour for UI design’ they say, ‘I’ll optimize your website to increase conversions by 20%.’
Instead of ‘$100/hour for branding’ they say, ‘I’ll build a brand identity that helps you close high-value clients.’
Clients pay more when they see the business impact of your work.
One talks tools.
The other solves problems.
A $40K designer says:
I use Figma, Photoshop, and Webflow.
A six-figure designer says:
I help SaaS startups improve onboarding so they retain more users.
See the difference?
Clients don’t care about tools, they care about results.
Are you just designing, or delivering real value?
If you want to grow your income as a designer, shift your mindset:
✅ Stop thinking like a service provider. Start thinking like a problem solver.
✅ Don’t wait, actively market yourself.
✅ Price based on results, not time.
That’s the real difference between a struggling designer and a six-figure earner.
What do you think? Are you making these shifts in your career? Drop a comment below!
