Are Web Designers Happy? Web Designer Career Satisfaction and Salaries

Web designers are among the most popular experts in the tech industry. They combine natural creativity with a knowledge of technology, and they have reported high job satisfaction levels due to the engaging nature of their jobs. Web designer job satisfaction comes from good wages, growth opportunities, job flexibility, and the sense of accomplishment attached to the job.

This article is your guide to understanding web designer job stress and rewards. It covers everything you need to know, including what it means to be a web designer, salary information, and career outlook. You will also find a list of the pros and cons of a web design career and descriptions of the highest-paying web design jobs.   

What Is a Web Designer?

A web designer is a tech expert who designs and maintains websites. They write original website code using programming languages and ensure that the website’s design and functionality meet the client’s specifications. Web designers create attractive website graphics using tools like CorelDRAW and Adobe Photoshop.  

If you’re a budding web designer, you should know that there are many ways to gain the necessary skills, and not all of them involve in-person attendance or 4-year college degrees. There are many coding bootcamps and online courses available at your disposal. 

Is Web Design a Good Career?

Web design is a good career for tech experts who are artistically inclined. Web design skills are  currently in high demand with thousands of websites designed daily. You can thrive as a freelance website developer or as a paid staff member attached to a company. Both options in the job market come with plenty of opportunity for advancement, alongside different rewards and risks. 

Web Design Satisfaction Rates

Web designers report a high job satisfaction rate, according to Glassdoor. Based on thousands of reviews, this career earned an average of four out of five stars when it comes to job opportunities, compensation and benefits, and work/life balance. 

Many web designers are completely satisfied with their role because it allows them to work across different industries. They aren’t limited to designing websites for the tech industry alone. Businesses across fields and organizations can employ the services of web designers to improve their brand visibility on the Internet. 

What Makes Web Design Jobs Satisfying?

Job flexibility, versatility, career mobility, competitive salaries, and an active contribution to the online sphere are some of the factors that make web design jobs satisfying. More details about each reason are listed below. 

Flexibility 

Web design is one of the most flexible careers in the world because it has many remote options. You do not need to be physically present in an office or in a particular country to create a website. You can work from home, during a trip to another country, at night, or during the day. Web designers, especially independent contractors, have a flexible work schedule. 

Versatility 

You can design a website for a healthcare organization, a government, a school, an ecommerce website, a restaurant, or any other business. This is because the rules and principles of web design are the same irrespective of the industry. While you can decide to specialize in a single niche, there are no clear-cut restrictions regarding what you can or cannot design.

Career Mobility 

Due to the technical knowledge required for web design, you will enjoy a wide range of job opportunities. You can quickly switch to another tech field with just a few specialization courses. For example, a web designer can learn to design mobile apps. 

Web designers are free to explore other job opportunities like web development, UI/UX design, webmastering, or graphic design. You can even consider a career as a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) specialist. 

Competitive Salary 

Web designers earn an average annual salary of $60,202 according to ZipRecruiter. This is well above the national average of $46,599 for all American workers. Several factors contribute to the average salary of web designers. These factors include location, designer role, job description, and experience level. 

Active Contributions to the World Wide Web 

Web design is more than a career that pays the bills. It is an opportunity to actively contribute to what people interact with on the Internet. You can play an impactful role by choosing what types of websites to design and how to design them. At the same time, you will be gathering useful programming experience. 

Web Designer Stress and Rewards

Before you dive into web design, you need to weigh the stress and rewards so you can determine if it is the ideal career path for you. Consider this a pros and cons list for becoming a web designer. Some of these web design stresses and rewards are listed below. 

Web Designer Stress

• Difficulty with customer satisfaction. It is not always easy to satisfy your clients since many of them aren’t sure what they want when they sign a contract. This may lead to multiple revisions along the line. 
• Low compensation compared to other tech roles. While web designers earn more than the average American, they typically earn less than web developers, UX designers, software engineers, and other similar professionals. 
• The workload can be overwhelming. Most web designers have to multitask to meet client requirements and hit deadlines. Combined with the multiple revisions that are often involved, the job can become overwhelming. 
• Requires significant time management skills. Without excellent time management skills, you cannot succeed as a web designer. The level of time management and self-motivation required is the same whether you are a freelancer or you are attached to a company. 
• Ever-evolving industry. Web design is a rapidly changing industry so it may be difficult to keep up with the pace. You need to adopt a fluid approach to continuous learning if you want to thrive. 

Web Designer Rewards

• Learning opportunities. There will always be new technology and strategies to learn if you are willing to apply yourself. Learning new things will also help with your professional development, letting you grow in your career. 
• Build your people skills. Whether you are a remote or on-site web designer, you will work with people who have a range of experience levels. This gives you the chance to work on interpersonal skills like collaboration, communication, and active listening.
• You will always have work. If you are good at your job as a web designer, you will always have work. This means there is no limit to how much you can earn, especially as an independent contractor. 
• Feedback from clients isn’t always bad. While satisfying clients can be difficult, some clients offer heart-warming feedback that helps you build confidence in your skills. 
• Your startup might be one idea away. With the right set of skills and ideas, you can build your web design startup and win over many potential clients. Many clients may also return to use your services again if you prove your abilities.  

Life as a Web Designer 

What Is it like to be a web designer? What kind of work environment should you expect? What benefits do web designers enjoy and what opportunities for career growth are available? The answers to these questions depend on where the web designer works or if they are independent contractors. The list below will give you an insight into what your life as a web designer could be like. 

Web Design Work Environment

Web designers often work for tech companies and these companies have a semi-formal work environment. Most modern tech offices are designed to make workers as comfortable as possible. These offices combine digital technology with unique and friendly interior designs that promote productivity in the workplace. 

If you are an independent contractor, you will most likely work from home on your terms. How you choose to design your home office space is up to you. Some companies may invite independent contractors to work in their office space for as long as the contract lasts. During that period, you’ll have full access to their modern facilities.

Web Design Benefits

Web designers attached to high-value companies enjoy healthcare insurance coverage, life insurance benefits, paid vacations, competitive salaries, and major bonuses. They also might have access to fitness facilities, office food, and a range of other benefits depending on the company. 

When you are a freelance web designer, however, you are not going to enjoy most of these benefits. Companies hire freelancers because it is more cost-effective for them in the long run. So, you will get the agreed amount after the job is completed but you will not enjoy all the benefits that staff in the company get. 

Web Design Career Growth

Tech companies of this generation are keen to employ workers with impressive skills. So, if you are good at your job and willing to push yourself, you can rise quickly to a senior design role within a company. Senior designers earn significantly more than the average designers in the industry. 

For freelancers, job growth has no limit. Satisfied clients will recommend your skills to other prospective clients. With an increase in the demand for your skills, you can quickly increase your hourly billing rates and make a name for yourself in the industry. 

Web Designer Job Outlook, Salaries, and Career Growth 

The future of web design is bright when you consider the statistics available. These experts have a high job growth rate, competitive salaries, and the potential to work virtually anywhere in the world.

Is Web Design In Demand?

Web design is currently in high demand. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 13 percent rise in the demand for web design jobs between 2020 and 2030. This is significantly higher than the average growth rate of eight percent for all other occupations. 

Web Design Salaries

Web designers do not earn as much as other technology experts but their annual salary is well above average in the United States. BLS considers web design to be under the heading of web development and reports that these experts earn an average salary of $77,200. Gaining experience and developing your skills can help you earn higher wages. 

High-Paying Web Design Jobs

UI/UX Design 

• UI/UX Design Average Salary: $91,500

UI/UX designers are professional developers charged with developing the user interface of different software-based products. It goes beyond design to more technical and complex contributions to the development process. These experts don’t just work on websites, they also work on smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, and any other gadget that requires an interface. 

"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"

Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

Find Your Bootcamp Match

Web Development 

• Web Development: $75,073

A web developer is a software developer with good programming skills who specializes in creating and maintaining websites and web-based applications. A web developer needs to learn JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, the three pillars of client-side web application development. The web developer role also requires some knowledge of backend development. 

SEO Expert 

• SEO Expert Average Salary: $60,810

A Search Engine Optimization specialist works on improving the quality and value of websites to make them more visible for search engines. In simple terms, they come up with strategies that drive traffic to websites. Technical skills are not usually required for this career option but it helps to have background information on how web development works.  

Webmaster 

• Webmaster Average Salary: $55,245

Webmasters are experts who work on the management of one or multiple websites. They track website performance, speed, rankings, and do whatever it takes to ensure functionality on a daily basis. When necessary, they recommend marketing strategies that can help improve visibility and user experience on the websites they manage. 

Graphic Design 

• Graphic Design Average Salary: $48,283

A graphic designer uses computer software to make visual components to promote their client’s businesses. They are responsible for designing flyers, magazines, brochures, applications, or any other content that requires visual design. Note that the demand for graphic designers isn’t as high as the demand for web designers. 

Should I Become a Web Designer?

Yes, you should become a web designer if you want a lucrative career path with several opportunities for growth and diversity. Web product designers can earn competitive salaries and there is always going to be a high demand for these experts as long as the Internet exists. Therefore, there are several benefits attached to becoming a web designer. 

Web Design Career Change FAQ