Job Forecast and Industry Outlook
Web design and development, along with related media arts disciplines, such as graphic design and digital photography and videography, is a large and growing industry that combines the fields of graphic design, computer programming, multimedia, and writing. Cerro Coso Community College's service area, which includes Eastern Kern County, Inyo County, and Mono County, is projected to experience significant job growth in these areas. California is also projected to experience more rapid growth in these areas than the national average.
Projected Job Growth
Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. indicates that in Cerro Coso Community College's service area during the next 5 years, 190 job openings will be available in the fields of computer programming, multi-media artists and animators, and graphic designers. This includes jobs made available through attrition and new job creation.
Median earnings are $23.42/hour, with the highest earning potential for programmers ($35.75/hour).
Current Jobs
You can search for open positions in web design or web development on job sites, such as http://www.dice.com and find thousands of available positions. Many of these positions require a Bachelor's degree, but many also accept applicants with an Associate Degree or suitable work experience.
Occupational Profiles
The State of California publishes occupational profiles, which provide information about average salaries, required education, projected job growth, working conditions, and required skills. Any of these occupations may include web design/development duties.
- Web Programmers
- Multi-Media Artists and Animators
- Graphic Designers
- Desktop
Publishing Specialists
- Technical
Writer
Summary
With the exception of Computer Programming, all of the other categories that include the field of web design are growing at a faster rate than average in California. And even though growth is slower in the programming field, the sheer number of new jobs (12,100) in the next 10 years still provides much opportunity. There is a strong need for web designers, programmers, animators, and writers, and the need is going to increase. Bear in mind also, that the above statistics and predictions only apply to employed web designers. There are many, many more opportunities for freelance designers.
World Organization of Webmasters Indicates Need
On August 21, 2002, the World Organization for Webmasters (WOW) published an article entitled "New Study Optimistic for the Future of Web Professionals." In spite of the recent turbulence of the dot com industry, the Information Technology Association reports a positive economic outlook and an increased demand for web professionals. Among the statistics are the following:
- Companies surveyed are optimistic about future hiring over the next 12 months
- Largest demand for Web professionals seen in larger non-IT companies
- 80% of all IT workers are employed by small companies
- 92% of IT workers are employed by non-IT companies
- Outsourcing continues to grow in popularity among non-IT companies
- Most desirable specific Technical Skills for Web Professionals include: C ++, SQL, Java XML, Perl, HTML and SQL Server, TCP/IP and Visual Basic
- Overall, certification has grown in significance for each job category
- Money remains the primary retention tool according to hiring managers
- Applicants with mid level skills sets are most desired (more pronounced among IT companies than non IT)
- Large shortage expected of qualified candidates (600,000) for 2002
- Management and employability or "soft" (not just technical) skills play an important role
