Web designers are employed at design agencies, private corporations, and the government. And with enough ambition, they may even work for themselves.

This is a high paying occupation with earning potentials up to $70,000 per year. And one of the best parts is that a formal education is not a requirement. It is possible to begin a career as a web designer without a college education. However, those with at least a certification in web design will be poised for the best jobs. It's also possible to earn an associate's or bachelor's in web design and position yourself for the highest paying opportunities.

Web Designer Career

With billions of websites on the internet, and more appearing every day, there is a huge demand for skilled web designers who can use their creative vision to design websites for marketing, merchandising, and a variety of other purposes.  If you are considering a career as a web designer, the following facts can help you decide whether this is the right field for you.

Traits & Skills:
A successful web designer needs to be creative, enthusiastic, and able to “think outside the box” to come up with innovative ideas.  He or she should have an understanding of aesthetics and how to apply them to make a website attractive and appealing.  In addition, a web designer should have excellent communication skills, especially the ability to listen and understand a client’s needs.

Job Duties:
Web designers create websites and maintain them as necessary, working with clients to design the web pages that best suit their needs.  Designers work with tools such as HTML and other programming languages; they may work for a web design company or out of a home office.

Training:
While no special training is required to work as a web designer, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in web design is helpful.  As the demand for web designers increases, it is becoming more common for employers to seek highly trained workers in this field.  Community colleges, universities, technical schools and even some art schools typically offer degree programs in web design and related fields for those who wish to obtain formal training and experience.

Job Outlook:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web design jobs should grow by at least 10% by the year 2016.  This field is extremely competitive, and those with a college degree and some professional experience have an advantage when it comes to finding employment.  Level 1 web designers (those who report to a supervisor) typically earn between $45,000 and $50,000 per year.  Those with extensive experience can earn $72,000 or more annually.