Web design careers remain one of the most lucrative and secure jobs out there. In today’s highly digitized world, every type of business, regardless of the industry, requires a good website that is well designed. The high demand for top-notch online stores is perhaps what makes many young people out there seriously consider the field of web design. It is a rapidly growing industry, and we can only hope that the trend is likely to continue for years to come.

Companies are also learning that consumers are always glued to their mobile devices. This increased use of mobile devices also means that organizations must make an effort to create mobile-responsive websites that are extremely friendly and visually appealing.

This, in turn, will eventually result in an increased demand for skilled web design professionals who will be able to create such websites.

Web Designer Career Path

Illustration by upklyak – freepik

How much is your salary as a web designer?

Before we discuss the average salary of a web designer, let us first talk about what a typical web designer does. As a web designer, you will be required to create, develop, and code web pages as well as applications for individual business owners, companies, and other interested entities. 

You will be working with your clients to provide them with the graphical as well as the technical aspect of the application or website. Some web designers also help maintain apps or websites after the creation process.

And in a highly evolving industry, as a web designer, you must also be thoroughly familiar with internet technology and equip yourself with excellent computer coding and programming skills.

Regarding the average salary of a web designer, a basic entry-level web designer hourly rate is around $20, which would translate to an annual salary of about $42,000. However, senior positions that require at least three years of experience will likely pay more. More experienced web designers will enjoy an average salary of up to $55,000 and this may reach as high as $120,000.

And because flexibility is one of the advantages web designers get to enjoy, you are not always committed to a single company or organization paying a fixed salary.

Web design is also a freelance career, and this implies that your total amount of income will depend on the number of clients you land on a yearly basis.

Reasons to become a web designer

There are numerous reasons why you would want to become a web designer in the near future.

These include:

Exposure to exciting new technology

As an established web designer, you will be introduced to new technology to help you in designing high-quality websites. Each day in the life of a web designer is always different, and this implies that you will remain motivated and interested throughout your career.

Increased job security

Web design experts who have extensive knowledge in numerous programming languages, as well as digital design tools, hold a ton of value for almost any company. So, if you want to remain relevant in the game, you must further your studies to ensure you have the best opportunities in the field.

You will work in a host of industries

As a web designer, you have the opportunity to work across numerous industries regardless of whether you are working independently or for an agency. While this also enhances your job security by expanding your portfolio, it decreases the possibility of you becoming bored with your work.

You can work from anywhere

Arguably, the part of being a web designer is the level of flexibility to work from nearly anywhere across the globe. You also get to work from the comfort of your home. And being a globally recognized profession, one can easily secure a job in high-paying countries across the world.

It is very easy to get started in web design without any formal education

Even though it is very important to go through formal education to become a great web designer, you can also realize your dreams of becoming one without formal education. You can use specialty certifications and continual training to grow your business quickly.

So, how do you become a web designer?

Just like any other career, no one becomes a web designer overnight. You need to slowly learn the required skills and gain the experience necessary to build high-value websites. However, it is important to mention that there is no fixed path to becoming a web designer.

In general, building websites requires a host of skills that are best learned in a classroom environment. Though it is very possible to land a well-paying job as a self-taught web designer, completing a formal education equips a potential web designer with a set of foundational skills they need to reach new heights. 

Having relevant certifications demonstrates to your potential clients/employers that you have a high degree of competency and proficiency in critical areas of the industry such as website development, e-commerce, design as well as administration.

It is also important to mention that web design is a highly evolving field because design preferences and styles change over time. Even after acquiring your certifications, motivated web designers should always seek extra knowledge to remain relevant and competitive in the industry.

Conclusion: Is web design the right career path for me?

There is no doubt that web design is an exciting career. While other industries are facing a decline in growth, this particular industry has been on a rapid rise in the last few years and is only expected to grow even further. As such, it is a field that guarantees great opportunities ideal for both career development and job security.

If you are thinking about becoming a web designer, we hope we have helped you along the way. Before picking any career path, it is important to research the different aspects of the industry and know exactly what you are getting yourself into.

This article should help you grasp what responsibilities a web designer has, along with its expected salary ranges. Have a wonderful day and good luck out there!

Want to get started online as a web designer? Check out our free money-making guide for beginners