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Freelancer vs web designer

The differences between freelancers and web designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a freelancer and a web designer. Additionally, a web designer has an average salary of $63,842, which is higher than the $59,367 average annual salary of a freelancer.

The top three skills for a freelancer include customer service, web content and video production. The most important skills for a web designer are HTML, CSS, and wordpress.

Freelancer vs web designer overview

FreelancerWeb Designer
Yearly salary$59,367$63,842
Hourly rate$28.54$30.69
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs2,08850,899
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a freelancer do?

A freelancer is a self-employed individual that provides services for multiple clients at one time and usually earns money on a per-job basis. Often known as independent contractors, freelancers usually set their schedules while running their own business and have a flexible lifestyle. They have the liberty to choose their clients that may be less confined to specific markets or sectors. Freelancers usually find work within the creative industries such as graphic design, copywriting, or photography.

What does a web designer do?

A web designer is a creative professional responsible for creating and redesigning the content and layout of websites. Web designers are required to meet clients and users to discuss the needs and goals of their clients. To create graphics, colors, and fonts, web designers usually use HTML coding to alter the website's layout. Web designers must build their portfolio by taking on unique projects for themselves and the people they know.

Freelancer vs web designer salary

Freelancers and web designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

FreelancerWeb Designer
Average salary$59,367$63,842
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $86,000Between $42,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-NVIDIA
Best paying industry-Internet

Differences between freelancer and web designer education

There are a few differences between a freelancer and a web designer in terms of educational background:

FreelancerWeb Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Freelancer vs web designer demographics

Here are the differences between freelancers' and web designers' demographics:

FreelancerWeb Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 47.7% Female, 52.3%Male, 62.3% Female, 37.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between freelancer and web designer duties and responsibilities

Freelancer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the instagram account to create a trend and increase the numbers of followers and likes.
  • Manage and develop a stream line Intranet site for better communication purposes and quicker access to documents and company information
  • Implement and customize several websites using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and WordPress.
  • Design and develop the website for SoftProjector (http: //softprojector.org/) in HTML, CSS and PHP.
  • Create custom WordPress template that require the use of HTML5, CSS and PHP.
  • Perform social media management, Facebook advertising, social media blasts, and other marketing relate activities.
  • Show more

Web designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage a team of 3 web developers in creating high-end websites that focuse on animation and aggressive marketing.
  • Manage prototype content in wireframes when necessary.
  • Manage and develop a stream line Intranet site for better communication purposes and quicker access to documents and company information
  • Self-Initiat training to increase ability to build sites using HTML5, CSS3, secure PHP, and SQL.
  • Perform QA and create Jira tickets when need.
  • Create unique brand logo; continue to use CSS3 to customize website appearance and improve UX
  • Show more

Freelancer vs web designer skills

Common freelancer skills
  • Customer Service, 32%
  • Web Content, 17%
  • Video Production, 6%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%
  • Photography, 3%
  • Graphic Design, 3%
Common web designer skills
  • HTML, 7%
  • CSS, 7%
  • WordPress, 7%
  • Html Css, 7%
  • JavaScript, 6%
  • UI, 4%

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