Hoping to work intimately with brands? Want to design user experiences at the intersection of function and culture? If so, a career in web design might be exactly what you’re looking for. Here's why.
Career Overview
Web designers are an especially talented group within the graphic design industry, which is witnessing major growth. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that graphic designers held 286,000 positions in 2008. Employment is projected to increase by 14% over the coming decade; that's faster than the national average. The most desirable web design careers will be with advertisers, startups, and graphic design firms.

Hoping to work intimately with brands? Want to design user experiences at the intersection of function and culture? If so, a career in web design might be exactly what you’re looking for. Here's why.
Career Overview
Web designers are an especially talented group within the graphic design industry, which is witnessing major growth. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that graphic designers held 286,000 positions in 2008. Employment is projected to increase by 14% over the coming decade; that's faster than the national average. The most desirable web design careers will be with advertisers, startups, and graphic design firms.

Employment Options
The basic function of a web design professional is to develop and design websites, including the user applications that give a site its functionality. Graduates of web design schools are trained to specify technical parameters, direct content creation, and enhance and maintain existing sites in accordance with best practices. Designers may be assigned to master framework programming or to work with widgets that improve user experience.

Earnings Potential
In web development, there are a variety of programming degrees that teach sets of skills valued by employers. So, what web design degrees are earning the big bucks? According to Payscale, the Bachelor of Fine Arts candidate can expect top dollar with a median salary at $48,167 per year. Not far behind is the Bachelor of Fine Arts with a specialty in Graphic Design at $45,005. However, experience and performance are also major factors that will help determine your particular pay range.