How To Become A Freelance Web Designer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a freelance web designer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.

The average freelance web designer salary is $61,732. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an graphic design major. It usually takes 6-12 months of experience to become a freelance web designer. Freelance web designers with a Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 6,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a freelance web designer?

Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.

Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida

I was once told, if you do what you love, you will never "work" a day in your life. I have found this true in my own career and hope our VPA graduates will find it true in theirs as well. The arts offer such a unique means of engaging and we, as arts educators, have an ability to "reach" those we have contact with, in a unique way.

ScoreFreelance Web DesignerUS Average

Salary

4.8

Avg. Salary $61,732

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.2

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 10.42%

Black or African American 3.42%

Hispanic or Latino 10.63%

Unknown 4.99%

White 70.17%

Gender

female 38.50%

male 61.50%

Age - 37

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37

Stress level

4.2

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.9

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a freelance web designer

Explore freelance web designer education requirements

Most common freelance web designer degrees

Bachelor's

65.7 %

Associate

20.6 %

Master's

7.0 %

Start to develop specific freelance web designer skills

Skills	Percentages
Client Websites	34.92%
WordPress	6.32%
HTML	5.62%
CSS	5.62%
Adobe Photoshop	3.94%

Complete relevant freelance web designer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New freelance web designers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a freelance web designer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real freelance web designer resumes.

Gain additional freelance web designer certifications

Freelance web designer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific freelance web designer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for freelance web designers include Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP) and Certified Web Professional - Web Developer.

More About Certifications

Research freelance web designer duties and responsibilities

Provide consultation and support for on how to manage website through Drupal CMS.
Manage Linux server hosting websites, email accounts and SSL certificates for clients.
Manage and develop a stream line Intranet site for better communication purposes and quicker access to documents and company information
Design websites base on client specifications using HTML, CSS, WordPress, JavaScript, PHP, among other technologies.

Prepare your freelance web designer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your freelance web designer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a freelance web designer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable freelance web designer resume templates

Build a professional freelance web designer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your freelance web designer resume.