2173-NOC

Web designers

(NOC 21233)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$63,173
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
1,750

Career Overview

Web designers develop and create the visual presentation, layout and functionality of the Web sites and related applications. They are responsible for ensuring that the Web site is easy to use, and that the information is easy to access. 

There are many roles and job titles that are a part of web design, including user experience (UX) designers, user interface (UI) designers, interaction designers, writers and content strategists and user researchers.

Web designers work for computer software development firms, information technology consulting firms, information technology units throughout the private and public sectors, advertising agencies or they may be self-employed.

Duties

Web designers perform some or all of the following:

  • Establish design guidelines, standards and design practices
  • Maintain the appearance of Web sites by applying content standards
  • Designing visual imagery for Web sites and ensuring that it is consistent with the organization image
  • Integrate features and functionalities into Web sites
  • Create and optimize content for the Web site using a variety of graphics, database, animation and other software
  • Test and improve the design of a Web site
  • May lead and co-ordinate teams to develop Web site graphics, content, capacity and interactivity
     

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$63,173

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$49.23/hr
Median$30.29/hr
Low$22.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

2,265

% Employed Full Time

48%
Source: 2021 Census

Web designers typically work in an office with computers. Those that are self-employed may have a home-based office or work remotely.

This work tends to be done within a typical 40-hour week; however, in order to meet project deadlines, web designers sometimes need to work longer hours – including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Working in this career generally means long periods using a keyboard and monitor, so web designers may be at risk of eye strain, backaches and hand and wrist problems (ranging from simple strains to longer-term problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome).

Career Pathways

This career is exciting, challenging, and may also pay well for those with experience. There may be opportunities to work on interesting projects. Those that move up in this career are workers who are open to learning new things, that work well in a team or on their own, that have good communication skills and that are looking for ongoing long- or short-term contracts.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Investigative
Investigative
Conventional
Conventional

Job Titles

Internet site designer
Intranet site designer
Web designer

Education, Training and Skills

Web designers need:

  • Completion of a bachelor's degree in computer science or graphic design, or 
  • Completion or a college program in computer science, graphic arts, or Web design is required.
  • Experience as a graphic designer is usually required.
     

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Design (General)
  • Integrated/Multimedia
  • Web Technologies
  • Networking and Security
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

72%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

70%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

70%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

65%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

65%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

63%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

62%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

60%
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.

60%
Programming

Writing computer programs for various purposes.

59%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

2,265
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 20 0.9%
Kootenay 40 1.8%
Mainland/Southwest 1,690 74.8%
North Coast and Nechako 15 0.7%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 135 6.0%
Vancouver Island/Coast 355 15.7%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

1,750
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo Not available Not available
Kootenay 30 1.7%
Mainland/Southwest 1,350 3.8%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 150 4.2%
Vancouver Island/Coast 220 3.2%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services1,600
Retail Trade60
Educational Services20
Health Care And Social Assistance10
Public Administration10
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources

Resource information is currently not available.