Are you interested in web design career, but you’re not sure whether to take on this path?
You are in the right place!
By the end of this article you will know:
- How much you can make as a web designer
- Pros and cons of being a web designer
- If it’s better to work full time vs freelance
- My honest opinion
I worked as a web designer for over 8 years, and I believe I can give you a great advice and opinion on whether you should take on this career. Working both as full time web designer and currently freelance web designer, I know precisely what are the most common pros and cons of this job.
So if you are ready, let’s dive right in!
Is web design a good career?
Web design is one of the most lucrative careers with a great outlooks for career path into UI and UX world. While you can look into full time positions, there is also a big demand for web design work even on the freelance side.
General consensus is that web design career is a great career for someone, who has creative mind and loves to create new things.
In my personal opinion, being paid for designing and developing websites is one of the best jobs out there.
While your tasks will vary depending your position, as a freelance web designer I basically get to paid to create websites.
Average salary for a web designer
Salary varies depending on several factors, such as your expertise, portfolio and location.
According latest data from Glassdoor, with over 4,300 salaries submitted, median annual salary for web designer position is $82k, with full range $62K – $112K. These are including possible bonuses.
Meaning this is a pretty good pay for this position. There are also some remote ones, which are also paid pretty well even if you are based in Europe or somewhere else.
As a freelancer that works as a web designer, my total earnings for 2024 were over high-range of median and I expect to make even more in 2025 as I get more leads. There is also
Pros and cons of web design career
Let me break down some of the pros and cons of working in web design industry, drawing from my personal career.
Pros
- Creative Freedom: Every project is a new canvas. Whether I’m designing for a therapist, a dental clinic, or a biotech firm, I get to be creative while solving unique challenges.
- Demand for Skills: Businesses of all sizes need web design. From startups to established companies, the demand for a great website isn’t going away.
- Diverse Projects: I’ve worked across industries like healthcare, entertainment, and local businesses. It keeps things fresh and interesting.
- Remote Work: some companies lets you work remotely. When I was working at GLIDE design studio, I was working from home.
Cons
- Client Challenges: Some clients may not fully understand the web design process, which means educating them and managing expectations. Patience is key!
- Competition: The field is crowded. You need to constantly learn, improve, and market yourself to stand out.
- Tech Evolving Fast: Staying on top of trends, tools, and technologies can feel like running on a treadmill that’s speeding up. It’s exciting but also overwhelming at times. While with design this is not as difficult as with development, you still need to stay on top of the latest trends.
- AI: AI could one day create fully functional websites with minimal human input—it’s not such a far-fetched idea. Tools capable of this are already in development, and it’s easy to imagine web design agencies adopting them to save costs. That being said, I don’t believe AI will replace human designers anytime soon. Crafting a website is about more than just functionality—it’s about creativity, strategy, and understanding a client’s unique needs. Still, the industry could evolve significantly over the next 10-20 years, so staying adaptable is essential.
Web design has been a rewarding career for me, but like any path, it comes with its challenges.
If you’re considering this field, weigh the pros and cons carefully and think about what excites you most about the work.
Also – you should decide whether you want to work in some design studio fulltime, or if you want to embark on the freelance journey.
Freelance vs. Full-Time Web Design Career
Let me walk you through both, based on my personal experience.
Full-Time as a web designer
A full-time role gives you stability. You’ll likely work for a single company, with a steady paycheck, benefits, and clear boundaries for work hours. It’s a great way to refine your skills while being part of a team. Plus, you don’t have to worry about finding clients or managing a business.
However, it can feel limiting at times. You’re often working on projects that fit the company’s style or needs, which may not always align with your creative vision. And while you’re part of a team, you have less control over the final product.
Freelancing as a web designer
Freelancing is a completely different game. You’re your own boss, choosing the projects you want to work on and the clients you want to collaborate with. It’s flexible.
“You can work from anywhere, set your own hours, and even scale up your business as you grow which is the best part about it.”
That being said, freelancing comes with challenges. You need to find and manage your own clients, handle invoicing, and market yourself constantly. It also means inconsistent income, especially in the beginning. But for those who value creative freedom and autonomy, it’s incredibly rewarding if you put in the work. Just have a look at my previous projects.
Most of the time you’ll charge your clients by hourly pay – even though I do offer web design packages to my clients.
On average, if you charge $30 / hr which is doable within first 2 years of freelancing, we’re looking at $3,000 per web design project if it takes you around 100 hours to do it. To learn more, I written article on how long it takes on average to design a website.
What’s Best for You?
If you’re someone who thrives on structure, collaboration, and predictability, full-time might be your path.
If you prefer flexibility, independence, and variety, freelancing could be your dream career. Personally, I’ve found freelancing to be the perfect fit for me—but everyone’s journey is different.
No matter which route you choose, web design is a field full of opportunities to grow, create, and make an impact.
Conclusion
Web design is an exciting and rewarding career, offering plenty of opportunities whether you choose a full-time role or freelancing.
It combines creativity, strategy, and problem-solving, making it a great fit for anyone who loves bringing ideas to life.
Every path has its pros and cons, but the key is finding what works best for you and your goals.
With the right mindset, skills, and dedication, web design can open doors to a fulfilling and successful career. So, are you ready to take the leap?
btw. In case you need any help or advice, feel free to reach out to me 😉
tom
