Careers in Web Design salary

Do you have a sharp eye for detail, a creative mind and technical finesse? That's exactly what employers seek in web designers.

The demand for digital design aptitude isn't slowing down. Good web designers are a must-have in any creative organization. Hiring managers are moving quickly to snag top web design talent, and highly qualified candidates are seeing multiple job offers.

Here's a look at a typical web designer job description and the average web designer salary that goes with it. Use this information to ensure you're one of those job seekers who gets multiple offers – at the best pay.

Job Duties and Expectations

Responsibilities listed in a web designer job description can vary, depending on the needs of the firm or department. But these duties are generally involved:

• Meet with internal stakeholders or external clients to discuss objectives for Internet and intranet sites and other online projects
• Provide expert creative guidance on the overall look, feel and functionality of web design projects
• Create concepts in design programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
• Know languages such as HTML and JavaScript
• Produce compelling artwork (including images, icons, banners) and layouts that are appealing and user-friendly
• Conduct quality assurance work to identify possible problems before launch
• Commit to staying current with software developments and web trends

Professional Experience and Skills

Although a particular college degree isn't required to be a web designer, a degree in design, information technology or computer science is a plus. When an employer writes a web designer job description, however, experience often trumps education.

Sometimes employers go another step and add "web developer skills" to the web designer job description. Take this into account when applying for jobs. If being a web designer/developer appeals to you, brush up on your coding skills and knowledge of responsive design, web protocols and markup languages. And make sure your portfolio includes projects that demonstrate your developer abilities.

And don't forget about soft skills, such as adaptability and project management. It's important that your collaboration and communication skills are top-notch, especially since you'll need to develop a rapport with clients and team members.

Salary Benchmarks

According to The Creative Group 2014 Salary Guide, the average starting salary for web design professionals with one to five years of experience ranges from $52, 750 to $79, 500. For those with more than five years of experience, the average web designer salary range jumps to $76, 750 to $107, 000. (Use our Salary Calculator to adjust these salaries for your city.) Those numbers reflect a 2.9 percent increase from last year.