Web Designer Salary Survey
Find out how much you'll earn with our up-to-date web designer salary survey.
Web Designer Salary Estimates
In the field of web design, incomes vary widely based on experience, geographic location, company size and job type. According to data collected in September 2010 by Salary.com, the median salary for a web designer in the United States was just over $64,000, and your web designer salary can be much higher.
When you consider bonuses and stock options as part of your compensation, salaries can jump another $5,000 to $10,000. The highest salaries come with experience and advanced skills or training. Top web designers can earn well over $100,000 a year, especially in major metropolitan areas.
Web Design Experience Pays
A web designer's salary is based largely on his or her portfolio and training. Employers are often very specific about the skills and experience they require, and many are willing to pay handsomely when they need advanced capabilities.
Thus, a seasoned web designer can earn more than twice as much as someone just out of school. On the other hand, you can start out earning a great salary if you have training in an emerging high-demand area of web design, such as user interface design for web-based applications.
Here are some median web designer salary figures based on training, experience, and corresponding level of responsibility:
| Job Title | Education & Job Description | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Web Designer, Level I | May have an associate's degree and two years of experience in web design or a related area. Works under immediate supervision. | $47,766 |
| Web Designer, Level II | May have an associate's degree and at least three years of experience in web design or a related field. Works under general supervision with some creative freedom. | $59,808 |
| Web Designer, Level III | May have an associate's degree and at least four years of experience in web design or a related area. Reports to a manager, but enjoys considerable creative freedom. | $74,954 |
| Senior Web Designer | May require a bachelor's degree and typically requires four to six years of experience. Often leads and directs the web design work of others. | $82,207 |
| Interface Designer | May require an associate's degree and up to two years of experience. Works under immediate supervision. | $83,157 |
| Interface Design Director | May require an advanced degree and at least five years of experience in the field. Directs the work of others. Typically reports to the head of a unit or department. | $143,667 |
The Growing Demand for Web Designers
With each passing year, the Internet becomes more important to commerce, government, education, entertainment, and just about everything else in our daily lives. Well-designed, user-friendly websites are critical to the success of many—perhaps even most—businesses today. There's no doubt that demand for skilled web designers will continue to grow, and companies will pay whatever it takes to keep up with that demand.
With your degree in hand and a few years experience, there's no telling how high your web designer salary might be.
Learn more about web design training programs today!
Source: Salary.com 2010
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