How to Become a

Website Designer

The complete career guide to be a Website Designer: salary, job growth, employers, best schools, and education you may need to get started.
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Why We Love It

  • $51,640
    Potential Avg. Salary
  • 1.4%
    Job Growth Rate
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook
  • Creativity Focused
    Career Attribute

Web designers are responsible for the development, coding, design and layout of a website.  They are involved with and conceive the technical and graphic aspects of a website.  They also maintain and update the existing website as well.

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What is a Website Designer?

The following responsibilities are common for Web Designers:

  • Establish the purpose of a website based on its target audience and identify its content
  • Determine any functionality the site must support
  • Provide client guidance on layout, colors, graphics and styles
  • Writes the programming code, either from scratch or adapting existing website software
  • Uploads website onto a server and registers it with various search engines

A Day In The Life

A web designer develops the look, the layout and the function of a website and web pages.  They shape a create the users experience through their creation of page layouts.

This occupation involves both knowledge and understanding in graphic design and computer programming.  This individual needs to have the capability of capturing their clients vision while bringing the websites design elements to life on screen all the while creating a design that is aesthetically pleasing to consumers.

They handle a variety of daily tasks, ranging from maintenance of a website to optimizations and design work.   Their duties cover all aspects of web design.  After meeting with their clients and assessing their needs, the designers then develop and maintain the site by using graphic design computer software or by creating a custom website from code to create a custom design for the client.

Typical Work Schedule

Hours for this occupation can vary depending on where the designer is employed.  Those self-employed and freelance individuals can set their own hours.  Those employed with various companies or agencies will typically work a full-time position, some over-time may be required depending on the individual project.

Projected Job Growth

The IT industry is a rapidly expanding global market and the internet continues to grow at an enormous speed.  The need for individuals pursuing careers in web design will be in huge demand now and in the future.

Typical Employers

Self-employment and freelance work is very common for this occupation.  While others are employer through various agencies like software companies, IT consultants and web design companies.

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How To Become a Website Designer

Web designers must possess the technical expertise necessary to make a website function correctly.  No single degree is necessary to become a web designer. The best way to begin is to first start by creating and making your own website.  And after an individual improves and learns new skills they can update the site when these skills are acquired.  But, most corporate employers seek individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree in digital media design, computer science or a related field.   Coursework should include classes in computer science, website design, networking, computer graphics and coding.  Although not required, having a degree can help put a student a step above a self-taught individual.  For students pursuing the education rout, it is vital that students take coursework in color theory, visual arts and visual design as well.  A specific set of skills that designers also need should include both graphic and programmer-based platforms.  They should possess extensive knowledge on programs like JavaScript, WordPress, CSS and HTML.  The main graphic software these individuals need to learn is Adobe, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

Website design is a very competitive field and constantly changing and evolving.  Successful candidates will possess at least a few years of education and experience prior to applying for a job in this field.  Employers also look at the web designers portfolio to gauge a better understanding if the individual is right for the job.  Students should be sure to keep screen shots and color prints of their designs.  Employers look for individuals with exciting and diverse portfolios.  It is important for these individuals to keep up on trends and will always be learning new things in this field because it is in a constant state of development.

Website Designer Salary Data

We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.

National Anual Salary

Low Range

$35,170

Average

$51,640

High Range

$81,320

National Hourly Wage

Low Range

$17/hr

Average

$25/hr

High Range

$39/hr

How do Website Designer salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Website Designer's can make an average annual salary of $51,640, or $25 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $35,170 or $17 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.

Salary Rankings And Facts

  • #367 Nationally for All Careers

Programs and Degrees

Here are the most common degrees for becoming a Website Designer. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.

Highest Education Among Website Designers

  • 1.4%   Doctorate
  • 8.7%   Masters
  • 47.4%   Bachelors
  • 12.7%   Associates
  • 17.6%   College
  • 9.8%   High School
  • 2.3%   Less than High School

Job Growth Projections and Forecast

2014 Total Jobs

261,600

2024 Est. Jobs

265,200

Job Growth Rate

1.4%

Est. New Jobs

3,600

How does Website Designer job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 3,600 jobs for a total of 265,200 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 1.4% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.

Growth Rankings And Facts

  • #569 Nationally for All Careers

What Companies Employ The Most Website Designers

Industry Current Jobs New Jobs Needed % Increase
Self-employed workers 57,600 1,500 2%
Specialized design services 26,600 2,300 2%
Advertising, public relations, and related services 22,200 800 1%

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