Is Web Design a Good Career? (Salary, Job Satisfaction, & More)

Are you looking for a career that allows you to express your creative side and keep up with the ever-changing world of technology? If so, then web design may be the perfect fit for you.

Web designers make their mark with designs that bring style, usability, and functionality to the digital world. It’s an exciting field that offers the opportunity to put creativity and imagination to use. 

Whether you want to pursue a degree or gain experience on your own, there are multiple ways to break into the industry. 

But is web design really a good career option for you?

In this article, we’ll explore whether web design is worth pursuing and how best to get into the field if you decide it’s right for you.

Key Takeaways

• Web design and development is a growing field with projections for significantly more jobs in the near future.
• Web designers generally have a strong level of job satisfaction, although not as high as some other jobs.
• The industry offers above-average income potential.
• A degree or formal education is helpful but not required. Most employers prioritize real-world skills.
• There are several different career paths you can explore.
• Working as a web designer can be a great fit for creative problem solvers who enjoy a fast-paced work environment.

Demand for Web Designers: Is Web Design a Growing Industry?

When choosing a career, one of the first things you’ll want to consider is the general trajectory of the industry. Is it growing or declining? Are the number of jobs expected to increase or decrease in the future?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of web developers and digital designers in the US is expected to grow 23% from 2021 to 2031. For comparison, the average across all occupations is 5%.

So as you can see, the future is bright! That’s a great sign if you’re considering web design or web development (the BLS lumps the two together) as a career path.

Job Satisfaction for Web Designers

It’s also helpful to consider the level of job satisfaction of the people currently working in the industry. Are they happy or unfulfilled?

According to Glassdoor, the average job satisfaction for web designers is 3.9 out of 5 stars. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Work/life balance: 4/5
• Compensation and benefits: 3.8/5
• Career opportunities: 3.9/5

These stats are based on reviews from 4,000 designers working for 3,000 companies.

For comparison, the average job satisfaction on Glassdoor’s list of top 50 jobs ranges from 3.8 to 4.4. Based on those details, it’s fair to say that a career in web design offers good potential for job satisfaction but still has room for improvement.

Average Web Designer Salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for web designers in the United States is $60,138. They also report the average salary for an entry-level web designer is $49,486. And the average annual income for a freelance web designer is $55,234. Those numbers compare favorably to the average for all American workers, which is $47,475.

Those numbers are averages, and the details vary significantly from one web design job to the next. Of course, geographic location also significantly impacts salary, but many designers work remotely. See our list of the best states for designers to see how your location stacks up.

Web Designer Job Qualifications

You don’t need a degree in web design for most roles. Many employers prefer experience and specialized software skills over formal education. The right combination of knowledge and portfolio-building work will put you ahead of other candidates.

Although a degree is often not a requirement, formal training or education can still be very beneficial. Some employers do require a degree, so you’ll be ahead of other job seekers if you have one.

Aside from education and experience, web designers should have an eye for detail and graphic design fundamentals. They must also possess strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think outside the box to come up with creative solutions. Communication skills are also important since most web designer projects involve working with clients and other stakeholders.

Regarding hard skills, most employers look for fluency with HTML and CSS coding languages and expertise with the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD).

The best thing you can do to prepare yourself and improve your qualifications is to start working on your portfolio. If you don’t already have work to showcase in your portfolio, you’ll need to get some. While real-world client projects are best, you can use personal projects or volunteer work to showcase your skills.

Reasons to Consider a Career in Web Design

Here are some of the benefits of becoming a web designer.

Allows Creative Expression

If you’re creative by nature, web design offers the perfect outlet to express your creativity while also building a career. This is especially true if you consider yourself a visual thinker and like making things look good.

Fast Pace

The industry is always evolving, so there’s never a dull moment. Web designers must stay on top of the latest trends and technologies to meet customer demands. This makes for an exciting career that keeps your mind engaged.

Constant Learning and Development

As a designer, you never stop learning and growing. Every project presents new challenges and opportunities for development. Plus, technology is always changing, so there’s always something new to learn. You won’t feel stagnated or bored as a web designer.

Potential to Work Remotely

Many web designers can work remotely, either as a freelancer or via remote jobs. This offers the perfect balance between freedom and stability that many people crave in their careers.

Room for Career Growth

Web design is a highly competitive field with plenty of room for career growth. With the right combination of skills, experience, and portfolio projects, you can quickly rise up the ranks and become a sought-after designer. Plus, specialized skills like UX/UI design open up even more opportunities.

Opportunity to Go Out On Your Own

If you like the idea of being on your own or running your own business, you could work as a freelance designer. Many people prefer the flexibility and independence that comes with freelancing, although it’s not for everyone.

Jobs Related to Web Design (Career Paths)

There are several roles and job titles related to web design. These roles vary in terms of responsibilities, salary, and job requirements. Depending on your skills and interests, you may specialize in one area or spread yourself among a few different disciplines.

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visuals with the help of design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. They use their visual design skills to develop logos, banners, illustrations, website designs, and more.

Art Director

Art directors combine their design and creative skills to produce high-quality visuals. They often work with a team of designers, photographers, writers, and other professionals to create visual content for websites, print materials, digital campaigns, and more.

Front-End Developer

Front-end developers take the graphic designer’s concepts and turn them into functioning websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They must have a good understanding of web technologies to be successful in this role.

Web Developer

Web developers take a more technical approach and handle the coding of a website or application. They are responsible for developing server-side scripts and databases. Generally, web developers must be competent with multiple programming languages.

UI/UX Designer

UI/UX designers are responsible for designing user interfaces and user experiences. They must have a good understanding of how users interact with websites and applications and the latest trends and technologies in the industry.

Is Web Design the Right Career for You?

Web design can be an ideal career for the right person, but no job is a good fit for everyone. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to see if web design might be a good career choice for you.

Are You Creative?

Web design requires strong creative skills and the ability to think outside of the box. Web design could be a great fit if you love coming up with new ideas and pushing yourself creatively.

Do You Love Technology?

You’ll need a solid understanding of technology to succeed in web design, so it’s important to have an interest in technology and the latest trends.

Do You Like Solving Problems?

Web design also requires problem-solving skills, as you’ll face complicated challenges. If you like solving problems and finding solutions, web design could be a good fit.

Do You Enjoy Working with Others?

Web design is a collaborative field. You’ll work with other professionals like graphic designers, web developers, and marketing specialists. Web design could be a good choice if you enjoy collaborating and working in teams.

Do You Have a Good Eye for Design?

Of course, having a good eye for design is important in web design, as you’ll be tasked with creating beautiful visuals and experiences. If you’re passionate about design and have strong attention to detail, this could be the right career path for you.

Is Web Design a Good Career? Final Thoughts

Web design is an ever-evolving field, with plenty of opportunities for career growth. If you have the right skills and interests, it can be a rewarding and lucrative career path. With the right training and experience, you can make a name for yourself in this competitive industry.

And if you’re ready to move forward, see our list of the best sites for web design jobs.