As of July 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Web Designer I in the United States is $34, which translates to an annual salary of about $71,644.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Web Designer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Web Designer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Web Designer I | 0-2 years | $71,644 |
| Web Designer II | 2-4 years | $82,107 |
| Web Designer III | 4-7 years | $100,624 |
| Web Designer IV | 7+ years | $135,618 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Web Designer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Initiative | 4.02% |
| JavaScript | 2.77% |
| Illustrator | 1.84% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Agile
|
$83,823 |
17%
|
|
Influencing
|
$81,674 |
14%
|
|
User Research
|
$80,241 |
12%
|
|
Usability Testing
|
$80,241 |
12%
|
|
JavaScript
|
$78,808 |
10%
|
|
Insight
|
$76,659 |
7%
|
Web Designer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $80,133. While startup companies pay approximate $67,769.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $67,769 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $71,676 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $77,384 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $80,133 |
For Web Designer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 32% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Web Designer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Web Designer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $85,973 | $41.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $82,391 | $40.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $80,241 | $39.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $78,808 | $38.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $77,376 | $37.0 | 8% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Web Designer Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Web Designer I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $64,565 and $68,750).
Web Designer I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.9% |
| High School | 12.3% |
| Associates | 20.7% |
| Bachelors | 59.4% |
| Masters | 6.5% |
| Doctorate | 0.2% |
Understanding how a Web Designer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026Salaries for a Web Designer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $76,805 in 2023 to around $77,094 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Web Designer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $76,805 |
| 2024 | $77,688 |
| 2025 | $77,094 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Web Designer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Designs web pages that engage the target audience, drive web traffic, and provide optimal user experience. Uses knowledge of user interface design and human factors engineering to create visually pleasing web pages with rich content and clear navigational schemes. Employs site animation and special effects to create a compelling user experience. Tests and improves site usability and performance on a variety of browsers. Requires knowledge of web technologies, techniques, and tools such as HTML, Shockwave, Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Flex, Adobe Flash, JavaScript, ASP pages, and SEO. May require a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Initiative: Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
JavaScript: Using JavaScript in the development and maintenance of Web-based application systems.
Illustrator: Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and design program developed and marketed by Adobe Inc. Originally designed for the Apple Macintosh, development of Adobe Illustrator began in 1985. Along with Creative Cloud, Illustrator CC was released.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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