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Web specialist vs web designer

The differences between web specialists and web designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a web specialist, becoming a web designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a web specialist has an average salary of $76,240, which is higher than the $63,842 average annual salary of a web designer.

The top three skills for a web specialist include digital marketing, wordpress and google analytics. The most important skills for a web designer are HTML, CSS, and wordpress.

Web specialist vs web designer overview

Web SpecialistWeb Designer
Yearly salary$76,240$63,842
Hourly rate$36.65$30.69
Growth rate13%3%
Number of jobs27,73150,899
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3738
Years of experience412

What does a web specialist do?

Web specialists are experts who have in-depth knowledge of creating, designing, and maintaining websites for organizations or individuals. These specialists offer a wide range of services related to website management, such as designing, site maintenance, installing website updates, and fixing bugs. They must use the content management software to be able to communicate the brand of the organization effectively. Web specialists must also possess knowledge in graphic design and computer programming while communicating their ideas to their clients in simple terms.

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.

Web specialist vs web designer salary

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

Web SpecialistWeb Designer
Average salary$76,240$63,842
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $104,000Between $42,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CityWalnut Creek, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyPlayStationNVIDIA
Best paying industryTechnologyInternet

Differences between web specialist and web designer education

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

Web SpecialistWeb Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBusinessGraphic Design
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Web specialist vs web designer demographics

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

Web SpecialistWeb Designer
Average age3738
Gender ratioMale, 54.6% Female, 45.4%Male, 62.3% Female, 37.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.3% White, 60.0% 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 Percentage9%13%

Differences between web specialist and web designer duties and responsibilities

Web specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage a local Linux file server.
  • Design, maintain, and manage all company websites (HTML, JavaScript, CSS, PHP).
  • Manage YouTube channel using content generate from online promotions and contests.
  • Develop, manage and maintain multiple websites including fund-raising events and online registrations for intranet and Internet sites.
  • Implement page layouts, visual content, and graphical elements using CSS, JavaScript, HTML, and PHP.
  • Design, build and maintain websites, using PHP, JavaScript, HTML, content creation tools, management tools.
  • 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

Web specialist vs web designer skills

Common web specialist skills
  • Digital Marketing, 9%
  • WordPress, 7%
  • Google Analytics, 6%
  • JavaScript, 6%
  • Html Css, 5%
  • A/B, 4%
Common web designer skills
  • HTML, 7%
  • CSS, 7%
  • WordPress, 7%
  • Html Css, 7%
  • JavaScript, 6%
  • UI, 4%

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