What is the Average Web Designer Salary?

By A. L. Jones

People today may take websites for granted. As long as they can click on links, read the content without any complication, and otherwise browse the site at their leisure, they may not give much thought to a web page's actual design. However, every website entails intricate designing that would not be possible without the talents of a web designer.

Web designers are crucial to the Internet's longevity and reach throughout the world. They also are vital to a relevance of any business, organization, or person who wants to maintain an online presence. With that, the industry of web design, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is expected to grow by 20 percent in the next decade, a rate that is much faster than average when compared to other industries. In fact, more than 28,500 new jobs will be created between now and the year 2022, joining the already 141,000 design jobs in existence.

Moreover, the 141,400 already working today earn on average a web designer salary that averages more than $62,500 a year, or $30.05 per hour. This figure can be higher or lower, depending on whether or not a designer works as an employee or as a freelancer. Even so, the average salary stands at more than four times the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour currently being offered to entry level workers in other industries. When people are interested in working in an online arena that will utilize their design talents, as well as allow them to earn lucrative salaries, they may consider joining the job market.

Freelance Web Designer Salary

Unlike employees, freelance web designers arguably have more control over their earning potential. If they establish themselves as legitimate designers and accrue a solid client base, these individuals can set their own rates and work as much or as little as they choose. In essence, they can determine how much money they make on any given day, let alone each year, by working as freelance designers rather than as company employees.

However, as with any freelance career, these individuals face the challenge of actually establishing themselves in a market that is competitive and fast-paced. If they do not put any effort toward building a base of clients, they may earn very little, if anything at all during their initial start-up phase. Once they begin picking up steady clients, freelance designers have the potential of earning web designer salary ranges that go from as little as $20 an hour all the way to $40 an hour or higher. In fact, as the Houston Chronicle notes, it is not unusual for freelancers to earn $50 an hour for a single client's project. In contrast, people who work as employees in the industry earn about $20 less an hour than their freelance counterparts.

Freelancers also can add to their earning potential by charging extra fees for details like expedited deadlines or more in-depth work that requires more time and effort. They also can recoup the costs of their travel and work expenses if they choose. However, many clients appreciate being told these additional costs upfront or even being given the chance to negotiate a fair price, something that is not usually done when working with employees of a web design company.

Graphic Web Designer Salary

Similar to web designers, graphic designers are tasked with making sure that a website is creative, engaging, and usable. However, these professionals are also typically in charge of making sure the actual graphics of a site are functional and that the website builds a personal or corporate brand as it should. Because these individuals often put the finishing touches on a website before it is released for public use, graphic designers, particularly those who utilize computer animation in their line of work, earn a bit more than those who are just starting out in this field. The average graphic designer salary currently stands at $76,279 per year.

Moreover, graphic web designers are often compensated for the level of professional training they bring to their positions. In fact, people who plan to pursue this aspect of web design often are expected to obtain undergraduate degrees in graphic web design from an accredited university or college. Many employers expect people to earn a four year degree rather than a two year associate's degree or certificate.

Some of the classes that these designers are advised to take and complete successfully include computer animation, architecture or drafting courses, as well as classes that teach them programming language like HTML or JavaScript. These complex qualifications typically make them more than suited for a career in web design, but more specifically suit them for a career in graphic web design. They can expect themselves to be compensated with salaries that are higher than those offered to entry level web design professionals who perhaps are not trained to utilize computer animation and other detailed skills.

For more salary information, please visit: usaveragesalary.com [parked domain]

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