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The differences between web designers and lead 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 web designer and a lead designer. Additionally, a lead designer has an average salary of $110,001, which is higher than the $63,842 average annual salary of a web designer.
The top three skills for a web designer include HTML, CSS and wordpress. The most important skills for a lead designer are sketch, user experience, and architecture.
| Web Designer | Lead Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $63,842 | $110,001 |
| Hourly rate | $30.69 | $52.89 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 50,899 | 45,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A lead designer is responsible for addressing the clients' needs of digital content and coordinating with the design team for the planning and innovation of the visual design and concept. Lead designers conduct the initial layout of frameworks and collaborate with the art staff for the specifications and outputs using various software applications and digital boards. They regularly update the client of the project's status, including adjustment and design recommendations, ensuring that the plan meets the client's budget goals. A lead designer must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on running diagnostic tests to improve optimal performance.
Web designers and lead designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Web Designer | Lead Designer | |
| Average salary | $63,842 | $110,001 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $96,000 | Between $78,000 And $154,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a web designer and a lead designer in terms of educational background:
| Web Designer | Lead Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between web designers' and lead designers' demographics:
| Web Designer | Lead Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.3% Female, 37.7% | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 13% | 13% |