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

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?

Abby Guido

Assistant Professor, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University

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

Key steps to become a senior web designer

Explore senior web designer education requirements

Most common senior web designer degrees

Bachelor's

70.2 %

Associate

15.3 %

Master's

9.2 %

Start to develop specific senior web designer skills

Skills	Percentages
Html Css	8.77%
Sketch	6.56%
UI	5.80%
WordPress	4.60%
HTML	4.35%

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.

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.

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.

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.