How Much Do Web Designers Make?

Are you looking to run your own operation, work in-house somewhere, or do a mixture of both?

Also, what other experience do you have outside of web design? I do web design and SEO work, but I also have a business degree, so I've found that more opportunities exist and I'm able to get different jobs because of my background.

It's safe to say you'll never starve with web design skills, but like the others have said, there are way too many factors that go into determining what your earnings will be. All I can say with certainty is that a skilled, professional designer never hurts for work and that if you are dedicated to continuous education and always getting better that you won't be disappointed with getting into the field. It stays interesting and the opportunities are limitless.

Conservative estimates: midwest U.S. designer with an Associates Degree and intermediary knowledge can make $35-45,000 out of the gate by working for a company doing in-house work. Expect there to be a lot of other stuff you have to do besides web design though. Bachelor's degree is a bit more to start, a computer science or programming background can result in significantly more, but there's a lot more to learn there. Starting your own firm will result in a lot less money in the beginning, but obviously there is chance for a higher return down the line. I would suggest getting a steady job and building your business on the side if that is something you want to do. Having dependable income takes a lot of stress off of your shoulders. Plus, you're basically getting paid to improve your craft so it's a win-win.

If there was a 'LIKE' button for this comment I'd click on it !!

?? are you still selling HTML sites?

nobody charges by page anymore

even if I did i would never do a site for only $100 - even a 1 page site!

you are only shooting yourself in the foot when you do that

How much a web designer makes is largely situational.

Of course, how good you are at what you do plays an important part in your earnings but it's not everything. Often, how you conduct your business and interact with clients can act in your favor. And, as long as you can admit defeat and hire a credible freelancer for a couple of hours to sort out things you find you can't deliver, you shouldn't run into any huge problems. The worst thing that could happen would be to start off and find yourself just making your clients angry. A great way to start a new endeavour, eh?

As for what to charge when you're first getting started, I would suggest that you offer a few local businesses your services free of charge. That way, you can test the waters and get a feel for what a web designer is actually asked to do. You also learn faster from experience.

Realistically, if you're just getting started with web design, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and so on, it'll be about 1-2 years before you can really start marketing yourself. This timeframe is quite fluid though. If you work hard and are dedicated to learning design techniques and the latest development methods used, you could be making $5k a month as soon as both you and your clients feel that your skills are worth that amount.

I charge approximately $1,000 per website, with about 10 on the go at any one time, and they're usually a customised WordPress installation or a custom CMS built to the clients requirements. Granted, I 'designed' my first website when I was 11 (I'm now 24) and though it was awful (It was a single page website about Pokemon that consisted only of animated GIFs), I've continued to learn and obviously produce very high quality work now.

I think the most I've earnt off of one website was $2500 and it took about 8 hours of design/development work and 2 twenty minute meetings at Starbucks. :p

Your attitude is repellent. Just sayin'.

so does a d*ickhead attitude = a real professional ? because i don't think i'd hire you with the way you come off in this thread.

just saying...

It really depends on the work you need to do.

"TALENT"

US statistics, I believe recently say that a web designer, can make at entry level around 40,000 and upwards to 70,000 and even more if they are a creative director of a web agency.

Of course this is slave labor for sure...................... you will be pushed to produce large volumes of stuff, and probably get burned out within months. Unless you just absolutely love working for others...........

Great response by all,

In the real sense your earning capacity depends largely on your skill, marketing and how you present your self.

so keep working on your self, Roman was not built in a day. do not focus on the money but service and the money will naturally multiply itself unto you.

Wish you the best.