What Is the Average Web Designer's Salary?
The explosive growth of the Internet has made web pages a necessary part of social and business life. Although many tools exist for the quick design of websites, such automatic methods do not include the expertise and visual acumen that only a web designer can provide. The relatively high salaries of this profession have made it a lucrative one.
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Description
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A web designer creates web pages that can advertise a business, explain a hobby or club, or expand one's social opportunities. She must keep up with the increasing advances in website design and be able to add images, multimedia, animation and any other interactive features required by her client. Web designers generally handle only the visual look and show of the website, leaving the actual coding to web developers. However, those workers who can combine art and programming are in higher demand and can receive higher salaries.
Experience
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According to PayScale, salaries can vary by experience. As of March 2010, those just starting out get $29,710 to $40,652 and those with one to four years under their belts average $31,986 to $46,706 per year. Those with 5 to 9 years make $38,537 to $61,839, while those with 10 to 19 years are $38,537 to $61,839. Finally, those with 20 or more years are paid $50,958 to $68,060.
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Employer
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According to PayScale, the type of employer can affect compensation. Those who are self-employed earn $23,966 to $40,237, while those who work under contract get $40,000 to $75,000. Those who work for a college or university get $36,392 to $52,854, and those who work for school districts are paid $28,998 to $49,721. Finally, those who work for state and local governments earn $31,800 to $52,381, while those who work for the federal government make $50,421 to $65,111.
Certification
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A variety of industry certifications can increase salaries according to PayScale. A Microsoft Certified Professional makes $31,538 to $58,065. Those with Sun Certified Java Programmer designations earned $31,538 to $73,698. A Cisco Certified Network Associate commands $31,000 to $52,457, while someone with a Macromedia ColdFusion Advanced Certification can get $31,197 to $49,132.
Outlook
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for graphic designers, which includes web designers, is expected to grow at 13 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is about average as far as rate of growth. For those who are able to code websites, growth is projected at 45 percent, making web development one of the 10 fastest growing jobs in the U.S.
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References
- Photo Credit internet image by Holger B. from Fotolia.com
