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What is a senior web designer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Abby Guido

Senior web designers are creative professionals who work on making attractive and functional websites. Their job includes every aspect of web creation, from coding to layout and visual design, functionality, and search engine optimization.

As a senior web designer, apart from designing websites, it will be your job to meet clients and learn about their goals and ideas. After briefings, you will propose concepts and strategies that best fit their needs and interests. You will create test sites and gradually work towards final solutions in constant communication with your clients.

You will be responsible for updating information on clients' websites once they are ready and perform maintenance as necessary. You will get the chance to work together with other media creators to fully integrate the latest technologies and creative possibilities into the website.

What general advice would you give to a Senior Web Designer?

We've all heard the buzz about networking, and there is so much buzz because it works. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is both up to date and active. Connect with all of your past professors, classmates, and anyone and everyone you meet in a professional setting. I often tell students to get into the habit of searching for any classroom guests, or guest lecturers, to connect, thank them for their time, and build their network. Share content. Write articles, or reshare those you find interesting.

Every job I have ever received in my career has been through someone else I know. I share this with students to help them see the value in relationships. I always remember the students that took the time to write a handwritten thank-you note. And I think of them when I get an email asking if I know any students are looking for work.
ScoreSenior Web DesignerUS Average
Salary
6.3

Avg. Salary $80,678

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.2

Growth Rate 13%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.42%

Asian 15.09%

Black or African American 6.74%

Hispanic or Latino 12.53%

Unknown 6.59%

White 58.62%

Gender

female 33.33%

male 66.67%

Age - 36
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 - 36
Stress Level
5.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.6

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.8

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Senior Web Designer career paths

Key steps to become a senior web designer

  1. Explore senior web designer education requirements

    Most common senior web designer degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.2 %

    Associate

    15.3 %

    Master's

    9.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior web designer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Html Css8.77%
    Sketch6.56%
    UI5.80%
    WordPress4.60%
    HTML4.35%
  3. Complete relevant senior web designer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior 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 senior web designer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior web designer resumes.
  4. Research senior web designer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage all QA sessions and assign fixes when necessary.
    • Lead redesign, code development, and transition of corporate website to WordPress.
    • Manage prototype content in wireframes when necessary.
    • Create a customize WordPress theme using PHP, JavaScript and XHTML/CSS for use on NCI's intranet.
  5. Get senior web designer experience

    Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a senior web designer. The most common roles before becoming a senior web designer include web designer, graphic designer team lead and web graphic designer.
  6. Prepare your senior web designer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior 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 senior 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 Senior Web Designer Resume templates

    Build a professional Senior 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 Senior Web Designer resume.
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    Senior Web Designer Resume
    Senior Web Designer Resume
    Senior Web Designer Resume
    Senior Web Designer Resume
    Senior Web Designer Resume
  7. Apply for senior web designer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a senior web designer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Senior Web Designer Job

Zippi

Are you a Senior Web Designer?

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Average senior web designer salary

The average Senior Web Designer salary in the United States is $80,678 per year or $39 per hour. Senior web designer salaries range between $55,000 and $116,000 per year.

Average Senior Web Designer Salary
$80,678 Yearly
$38.79 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do senior web designers rate their job?

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Senior Web Designer reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Making your own website

Cons

Taking time to make it


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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