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Software & SaaS
Adobe, Atlassian, Figma
Web and Digital Interface Designers
These designers turn business goals into website and app interfaces that people can actually use without getting lost. The job sits between creative design and technical implementation, so the constant tradeoff is making something polished and intuitive while still satisfying engineers, product managers, and tight deadlines.
Also known as UI DesignerUX DesignerWeb DesignerInterface DesignerDigital Designer
Median Salary
$98,090
Mean $111,450
U.S. Workforce
~111K
9.1K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+7%
128.9K to 137.9K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Web and Digital Interface Designers sits in the Technology category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~111K workers, with a median annual pay of $98,090 and roughly 9.1K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 128.9 K in 2024 to 137.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree in web design, graphic design, computer science, or a related field, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Junior Web Designer and can progress toward Design Director. High-value skills usually include Programming, Figma, Sketch & Adobe XD, and HTML, CSS & JavaScript Basics, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and Reading Comprehension.
Core Responsibilities
- Sketch page and app layouts that make it easy for people to find what they need.
- Build clickable mockups so teams can try out a design before developers write the code.
- Meet with product, engineering, and content teams to sort out requirements and make changes.
- Review visual styles with artists and brand teams so the interface feels consistent.
Keep exploring: more Technology careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Sketch page and app layouts that make it easy for people to find what they need.
02 Build clickable mockups so teams can try out a design before developers write the code.
03 Meet with product, engineering, and content teams to sort out requirements and make changes.
04 Review visual styles with artists and brand teams so the interface feels consistent.
05 Test designs with users or internal reviewers and fix confusing buttons, menus, or page flows.
06 Keep design notes, schedules, and handoff documents organized from first concept through launch.
Industries That Hire
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E-commerce & Retail
Amazon, Etsy, Shopify
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Media & Entertainment
Netflix, Disney, Spotify
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Finance & Fintech
PayPal, Stripe, JPMorgan Chase
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Healthcare & Health Tech
CVS Health, Teladoc Health, Kaiser Permanente
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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Pay is solid, with a median annual wage of $98,090 and a mean of $111,450.
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A bachelor's degree is the typical entry point, and the role requires no prior work experience or on-the-job training.
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Projected growth of 7% and about 9.1 thousand annual openings point to steady demand, not a one-off niche.
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The work mixes visual design, problem solving, and digital tools, so the day-to-day is more varied than pure graphic production.
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Many employers allow remote or hybrid work because the job centers on digital files, prototypes, and online collaboration.
Challenges
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Growth is only 7% over the next decade, so this is a stable field rather than a fast-expanding one.
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Simple layout work is increasingly exposed to AI tools and website builders, which can squeeze routine tasks and lower leverage for junior designers.
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The job can be frustratingly subjective because product managers, engineers, and clients may all want different things.
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There is a real career ceiling if you stay only in production design; higher pay usually requires moving into senior, lead, or management roles.
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Competition can be intense because many applicants have similar portfolios, so getting hired often depends on proof of strong real-world work rather than credentials alone.
Career Progression
Junior Web Designer
0-2 years
$55K-$80K
Focuses on learning the tools, building simple pages, and making edits under close review.
Web and Digital Interface Designer
2-5 years
$85K-$115K
Owns everyday interface work, from mockups and prototypes to design reviews and launch support.
Senior UX/UI Designer THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$120K-$150K
Leads larger projects, solves harder usability problems, and guides junior designers.
Lead Product Designer
8-12 years
$155K-$190K
Sets design direction across products and balances user needs with business goals and technical limits.
Design Director
12+ years
$195K-$240K
Manages design teams and standards, and makes sure the overall experience matches company strategy.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree in web design, graphic design, computer science, or a related field
The most common path, held by 55% of workers in the O*NET data.
Associate's degree in web, digital media, or interface design
A smaller route into the field, used by 10% of workers in the data.
High school diploma plus a strong portfolio
This path appears in the data for 15% of workers, but most people who use it need proof of hands-on design ability.
UX/UI certificate or bootcamp with portfolio projects
A practical alternative for people who want to show real interface work without following a full degree path.
Key Skills
Technical
Programming 75%
Figma, Sketch & Adobe XD 72%
HTML, CSS & JavaScript Basics 69%
Prototyping & Wireframing 66%
Design Systems & Component Libraries 63%
Google Analytics, Hotjar & A/B Testing 60%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingCollaboration Job Outlook and Trends
+7%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
9.1K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 128.9K to 137.9 K over the next decade, representing 7% growth. Around 9.1 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently High availability. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.