[Don Marcelo]

Yes. I too love the Pacific Northwest. I may end up going back up there someday. We shall see. In the meantime, I'm spending some time down here again in the Bay Area (more like East Bay).

Anyways, as far as salary, it really depends on your experience and how good you are at negotiating, and of course experience. A "good paying job" is all relative. Here's what I wrote previously from another post:

"The pay range I've personally encountered in the high-end pre-press for a full-timer varies from $20/hr to $32/hr. I heard from my other co-workers who has worked in the San Francisco Bay area that retouchers there in the city make anywhere between $35/hr to $50/hr. I haven't personally encountered that and I don't know if that's true or not. I think it's based on what type of accounts that color house holds, the economy, the area you're in, and the type of company you work for and their budget."

People with no real-world experience from what I've seen and heard can get paid anywhere from $8.00/hr (a very small or cheap shop) - $15.00/hr and that's in the West Coast. This is an industry (whether its graphic arts/Design/Advertising/Photography) where there's more artists than there are jobs. Companies, be it big or small, can literally pick and choose a candidate and lowball the salary. With globalization, technology, the internet always on the rise, its harder and harder to get a "good paying job" in the United States of America. You have to constantly learn new skills and keep growing and you have to accept change or else you might get cut from the team.

In my opinion, you may be better off pursuing the MPI job because of your connection. You know what they say and it's 90% true..."It's who you know who will give you the job...and it's what you know that will get you to the top."

I was very lucky when I landed my job with my company in Los Angeles where I didn't know anyone and I sent my resume blindly through craigslist. Luck of the draw. By no means I am at the very top of my game, but I'm also not a newbie. So get that experience in your belt however small it may be (whether its freelancing for your church or your school, getting a part-time job at your local kinko's or small print shop, getting a job at a retail photo finishing place). Anything that will give you an opportunity to learn on-the-job skills while you keep honing your skills and passion and keep building your portfolio. And keep knocking on the doors. Don't ever give up.

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you

[AdamZx3]

Yes Don that sure does help, thanks for the info. While I would love to apply for that job, the more I think about it, I don't think I will be ready enough. In another month I will have more training and have my portfolio finished up. Also I don't know if $15 an hr would be enough to live (and start from scratch), my sister says just outside Seattle the apartments are around $1000 a month and up. While the apartments here are around $400+ electric for a decent place. I would imagine the salary would be $12-15 starting out. Rumor has it that the local photo lab (only works with pro's) start out at $20hr for retouching / CC but not real sure on that one. My first pick will be working prepress with lithographic press's then the color lab, but I can't be too picky!

I would love to start out just retouching but I think I will have to do that on the side, maybe via FTP to get some experience....and if luck falls my way (which it never does haha) then freelance full-time.