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The differences between web designers and software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a web designer, becoming a software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software engineer has an average salary of $100,260, 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 software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Web Designer | Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $63,842 | $100,260 |
| Hourly rate | $30.69 | $48.20 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 50,899 | 339,938 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 38 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
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 software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
Web designers and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Web Designer | Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $63,842 | $100,260 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $96,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a web designer and a software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Web Designer | Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between web designers' and software engineers' demographics:
| Web Designer | Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 38 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.3% Female, 37.7% | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 8% |