Salaries
Plotting the range.
The overall distribution of salary ranges among the survey respondents is as follows:
Salary levels
| Less than $10,000 | 13.4% |
|---|---|
| $10,000-$19,999 | 8.0% |
| $20,000-$39,999 | 17.1% |
| $40,000-$59,999 | 23.9% |
| $60,000-$79,999 | 17.3% |
| $80,000-$99,999 | 9.1% |
| $100,000-$119,999 | 4.4% |
| $120,000-$149,999 | 2.6% |
| More than $150,000 | 1.9% |
| No response | 2.3% |
Salary range by organization type
| Less than $10,000 | $10,000- $19,999 | $20,000- $39,999 | $40,000- $59,999 | $60,000- $79,999 | $80,000- $99,999 | $100,000- $119,999 | $120,000- $149,999 | $150,000 or more | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partner in a large company or organization | 7.3% | 6.9% | 14.6% | 23.7% | 21.5% | 10.9% | 6.9% | 3.7% | 4.4% | 100.0% |
| Partner in a small business | 10.6% | 9.9% | 18.6% | 20.1% | 15.9% | 10.1% | 6.3% | 4.0% | 4.6% | 100.0% |
| Employee of a company, university, library, museum, nonprofit, or other organization | 5.4% | 5.6% | 17.4% | 30.9% | 22.2% | 10.8% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 0.9% | 100.0% |
| Independent contractor/freelancer or owner of my own small business | 21.2% | 13.2% | 19.0% | 16.0% | 11.7% | 7.4% | 5.0% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 100.0% |
| Student, hobbyist, volunteer, or other uncompensated role | 57.9% | 9.0% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 5.6% | 3.0% | 1.7% | 0.7% | 1.2% | 100.0% |
| Overall | 13.7% | 8.2% | 17.5% | 24.5% | 17.7% | 9.3% | 4.6% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 100.0% |
Some patterns that appear are:
- Respondents working as partners in both large and small firms are the highest percentage of people making over $100,000 (15.1% and 4.9%, respectively). Only 7.7% of employees make over $100,000, while 11.6% of freelancers make over $100,000 per year.
- Comparing weighted averages gives a slightly different picture: Partners in big firms: $62,918; partners in small firms: $58,167; employees: $56,632; freelancers: $47,236. This implies that freelancers’ salaries are more varied due to the higher percentage of people making over $100,000, but make up a lower weighted average.
- Of students and hobbyists, 3.5% make over $100,000. (Not bad!) Their weighted average: $23,860.
Salary range by organization size
| Less than $10,000 | $10,000- $19,999 | $20,000- $39,999 | $40,000- $59,999 | $60,000- $79,999 | $80,000- $99,999 | $100,000- $119,999 | $120,000- $149,999 | $150,000 or more | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed / freelance | 23.8% | 13.8% | 19.8% | 15.7% | 11.0% | 6.5% | 4.3% | 2.8% | 2.4% | 100.0% |
| 2-5 employees | 13.3% | 11.6% | 22.5% | 20.9% | 13.0% | 7.8% | 4.5% | 3.1% | 3.4% | 100.0% |
| 6-10 employees | 9.9% | 10.9% | 24.1% | 26.9% | 14.3% | 6.3% | 3.4% | 2.1% | 2.0% | 100.0% |
| 11-25 employees | 8.4% | 8.3% | 21.3% | 28.6% | 18.8% | 8.0% | 3.6% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 100.0% |
| 26-50 employees | 5.9% | 5.9% | 18.0% | 30.2% | 21.8% | 10.5% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 1.4% | 100.0% |
| 51-300 employees | 4.5% | 4.6% | 15.6% | 31.0% | 22.7% | 12.0% | 5.3% | 2.9% | 1.4% | 100.0% |
| 301-750 employees | 3.5% | 3.0% | 13.6% | 32.2% | 25.5% | 12.7% | 5.6% | 2.7% | 1.3% | 100.0% |
| 751-3000 employees | 2.4% | 3.4% | 12.2% | 33.7% | 27.4% | 12.3% | 5.0% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 100.0% |
| More than 3000 employees | 2.6% | 2.8% | 8.2% | 27.0% | 27.0% | 16.9% | 7.9% | 4.9% | 2.6% | 100.0% |
| Overall | 10.3% | 8.2% | 17.9% | 25.6% | 18.6% | 9.8% | 4.8% | 2.8% | 2.0% | 100.0% |
As last year, the pattern is that earnings increase with the size of the company. On the basis of the weighted average, self-employed respondents make less than respondents in any size organization.
Salary range by longevity in the field
| Less than $10,000 | $10,000- $19,999 | $20,000- $39,999 | $40,000- $59,999 | $60,000- $79,999 | $80,000- $99,999 | $100,000- $119,999 | $120,000- $149,999 | $150,000 or more | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than a year | 37.0% | 10.8% | 26.6% | 17.4% | 5.5% | 1.8% | 0.6% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 100.0% |
| 1 year | 27.5% | 14.6% | 25.6% | 22.8% | 5.8% | 2.0% | 1.1% | 0.4% | 0.2% | 100.0% |
| 2 years | 21.8% | 12.2% | 25.7% | 26.7% | 9.3% | 2.6% | 0.9% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 100.0% |
| 3 years | 17.1% | 11.4% | 22.7% | 28.8% | 13.5% | 4.2% | 1.3% | 0.7% | 0.4% | 100.0% |
| 4 years | 13.8% | 10.8% | 19.9% | 29.7% | 16.1% | 6.4% | 1.9% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 100.0% |
| 5 years | 11.3% | 9.4% | 17.2% | 29.9% | 18.9% | 7.7% | 3.6% | 1.3% | 0.8% | 100.0% |
| 6 years | 9.6% | 7.6% | 16.3% | 26.2% | 23.4% | 10.1% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 100.0% |
| 7 years | 5.9% | 6.6% | 16.8% | 27.8% | 23.2% | 10.5% | 5.5% | 2.2% | 1.3% | 100.0% |
| 8 years | 4.6% | 5.3% | 13.1% | 25.7% | 24.9% | 14.9% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 2.0% | 100.0% |
| 9 years | 3.1% | 3.5% | 11.4% | 24.7% | 26.6% | 17.0% | 8.1% | 3.7% | 1.9% | 100.0% |
| 10 years (or more) | 2.7% | 3.0% | 8.8% | 18.2% | 24.6% | 17.8% | 11.1% | 7.7% | 6.2% | 100.0% |
| Not applicable | 49.8% | 9.1% | 13.8% | 12.0% | 7.0% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.0% | 100.0% |
| Overall | 13.7% | 8.2% | 17.4% | 24.5% | 17.7% | 9.3% | 4.6% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 100.0% |
Earnings increase with longevity in the field, and, on the basis of the weighted average, go up approximately $4,000 or $5,000 per year.
Gender distribution by salary range
| Less than $10,000 | 14.4% |
85.6% |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000-$19,999 | 13.4% |
86.6% |
| $20,000-$39,999 | 17.9% |
82.1% |
| $40,000-$59,999 | 19.2% |
80.8% |
| $60,000-$79,999 | 17.0% |
83.0% |
| $80,000-$99,999 | 14.0% |
86.0% |
| $100,000-$119,999 | 11.5% |
88.5% |
| $120,000-$149,999 | 10.0% |
90.0% |
| More than $150,000 | 8.5% |
91.5% |
| Overall | 16.2% |
83.8% |
| Female | Male |
In general, men appear to make more than women. Specifically:
- A greater percentage of male respondents make over $100,000 (9.7% to 5.8%), but the percentage of respondents making under $40,000 is about equal (39.7% male, 38.4% female).
- The weighted averages are: males: $52,451, females: $49,708.
Gender distribution by organization size
| Self-employed / freelance | 15.5% |
84.5% |
|---|---|---|
| 2-5 employees | 10.8% |
89.2% |
| 6-10 employees | 10.9% |
89.1% |
| 11-25 employees | 14.1% |
85.9% |
| 26-50 employees | 16.4% |
83.6% |
| 51-300 employees | 19.3% |
80.7% |
| 301-750 employees | 20.1% |
79.9% |
| 751-3000 employees | 22.8% |
77.2% |
| More than 3000 employees | 21.4% |
78.6% |
| Overall | 16.3% |
83.7% |
| Female | Male |
As last year, as the organization gets larger, the percentage of women web designers increases.
Salary range by age group
| Less than $10,000 | $10,000- $19,999 | $20,000- $39,999 | $40,000- $59,999 | $60,000- $79,999 | $80,000- $99,999 | $100,000- $119,999 | $120,000- $149,999 | $150,000 or more | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 and under | 84.0% | 6.5% | 4.8% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 100.0% |
| 19-29 | 19.4% | 11.1% | 22.0% | 26.3% | 13.0% | 5.0% | 1.7% | 0.8% | 0.6% | 100.0% |
| 30-44 | 4.6% | 5.1% | 12.8% | 23.7% | 23.7% | 14.6% | 7.8% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 100.0% |
| 45-64 | 8.1% | 5.1% | 13.4% | 20.2% | 23.0% | 13.4% | 7.0% | 5.4% | 4.6% | 100.0% |
| 65 and over | 8.0% | 10.0% | 28.0% | 16.0% | 16.0% | 4.0% | 10.0% | 2.0% | 6.0% | 100.0% |
| Overall | 13.8% | 8.2% | 17.5% | 24.5% | 17.7% | 9.3% | 4.5% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 100.0% |
On the basis of the weighted average, income increases steadily as respondents age, until it levels off at 45 and then drops again after 65. Interestingly, the percentage of respondents making over $100,000 is remarkably consistent for the 30-44, 45-64, and 65 and over categories (15.6%, 17%, and 18% respectively).
Salary and geography
| Less than $10,000 | $10,000- $19,999 | $20,000- $39,999 | $40,000- $59,999 | $60,000- $79,999 | $80,000- $99,999 | $100,000- $119,999 | $120,000- $149,999 | More than $150,000 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | 28.6% | 19.2% | 24.9% | 12.2% | 8.0% | 2.3% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Asia | 46.7% | 19.7% | 16.8% | 7.4% | 3.8% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 0.6% | 0.9% | 100.0% |
| Europe | 17.9% | 11.4% | 19.8% | 21.6% | 15.5% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 1.6% | 1.5% | 100.0% |
| North and Central America | 8.3% | 5.0% | 16.3% | 27.8% | 20.3% | 11.1% | 5.5% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 100.0% |
| Oceania | 7.1% | 5.1% | 14.8% | 29.0% | 21.0% | 11.8% | 6.0% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 100.0% |
| South America | 43.7% | 28.0% | 17.7% | 6.5% | 2.1% | 0.9% | 0.7% | 0.0% | 0.5% | 100.0% |
| Overall | 13.7% | 8.2% | 17.5% | 24.5% | 17.7% | 9.3% | 4.6% | 2.7% | 1.9% | 100.0% |
On the basis of the weighted average, respondents in North and Central America, and in Oceania, appear to earn significantly more than their counterparts in both Europe and the rest of the world. Respondents in South America and Asia have the lowest earnings.
Pay raises
Length of time since last pay raise by age
| Two or less years ago | More than two years ago | Not applicable | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 and under | 39.3% | 0.0% | 60.7% | 100.0% |
| 19-29 | 70.6% | 0.3% | 29.2% | 100.0% |
| 30-44 | 78.6% | 2.1% | 19.3% | 100.0% |
| 45-64 | 79.5% | 3.7% | 16.8% | 100.0% |
| 65 and over | 50.0% | 0.0% | 50.0% | 100.0% |
| Overall | 74.3% | 1.2% | 24.5% | 100.0% |
Length of time since last pay raise by job title
| Two or less years ago | More than two years ago | Not applicable | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessibility Expert/Consultant/Lead | 76.9% | 0.0% | 23.1% | 100.0% |
| Art Director | 80.4% | 2.1% | 17.5% | 100.0% |
| Creative Director | 64.6% | 2.7% | 32.7% | 100.0% |
| Designer | 71.2% | 1.0% | 27.8% | 100.0% |
| Developer | 73.7% | 1.0% | 25.3% | 100.0% |
| Educator | 85.5% | 1.4% | 13.0% | 100.0% |
| Information Architect | 78.7% | 2.0% | 19.3% | 100.0% |
| Interface Designer, UI Designer | 70.2% | 0.8% | 29.0% | 100.0% |
| Marketer | 72.7% | 2.1% | 25.1% | 100.0% |
| Other | 76.8% | 1.3% | 21.8% | 100.0% |
| Project Manager | 73.6% | 1.4% | 25.0% | 100.0% |
| Usability Expert/Consultant/Lead | 78.0% | 0.5% | 21.5% | 100.0% |
| Web Designer | 70.5% | 0.8% | 28.7% | 100.0% |
| Web Director | 77.9% | 0.6% | 21.6% | 100.0% |
| Web Producer | 72.4% | 0.3% | 27.3% | 100.0% |
| Webmaster, Web Master | 80.5% | 1.9% | 17.6% | 100.0% |
| Writer, Editor | 69.0% | 0.9% | 30.0% | 100.0% |
| Overall | 74.3% | 1.2% | 24.5% | 100.0% |
Length of time since last pay raise by gender
| Two or less years ago | More than two years ago | Not applicable | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 76.8% | 1.3% | 21.9% | 100.0% |
| Male | 73.8% | 1.2% | 25.0% | 100.0% |
| Overall | 74.3% | 1.2% | 24.5% | 100.0% |
We asked when respondents had received their last pay raise, broke them out by age, job title, and gender, and then identified subgroups more likely than the sample as a whole not to have had a pay raise in the past two years. Those subgroups are: those aged 30–44 years old, those aged 45–65 years old, Art Directors, Creative Directors, Information Architects, Marketers, and Webmasters. Men and women were equally likely not to have had a pay raise in the last two years. The finding about the age groups is consistent with last year’s survey responses.