| Webmaster Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Job Outlook | 13% |
Most people probably don’t think about how the websites we visit are created much less all the necessary skills and the time required to make them perfect and easy for visitors to maneuver.
A functional and visually appealing website needs a skilled Webmaster and Web developer.
Webmasters are professionals who use their skills and talents in order to maintain websites as well as performing other necessary functions.
Students who are interested in this career and making plans to become a Webmaster should read the information below.
The information below includes typical education requirements, a general job description, salary statistics and the future outlook in addition to the estimated growth for Webmasters and the industry.
Table of Contents
Education Requirements to Become a Webmaster
In order for candidates to become a Webmaster, they must have a combination of experience, formal education and certification.
Certification is optional in most cases, but recommended in order to have that competitive edge in the field.
The minimum requirement to become a Webmaster is acquiring an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or program.
As a student, candidates should learn a variety of information regarding their career track.
Students should gain an advanced understanding of computers and the internet.
Candidates seeking advancement in the field and a position with more responsibilities will benefit from completing a four year degree in a computer related field.
Skills that the majority of employers seek in an employee include advanced problem solving abilities, analytical capabilities and an aptitude for communication.
Certification will help candidates who have a formal education or who may also not have one.
In some circumstances, employers will hire candidates who are certified and have experience but who may not necessarily have a formal education.
Candidates can seek certification through training institutions, product vendors or computer organizations.
One important aspect of this profession is the need for Webmasters to continuously update their skills.
In an industry that continuously improves upon itself, Webmasters must take the opportunity to brush up on their skills in order to remain competitive and knowledgeable in the field.
Programs can be offered through several kinds of organizations.
Webmaster Job Description
In addition to maintaining websites, Webmasters are also responsible for monitoring them and gathering information regarding website visits.
A Webmaster makes sure the content is updated, current and approves any changes to the site before it goes live and accessible to its users.
Webmasters are also responsible for verifying user accessibility.
This requires knowledge of how the website’s information is presented on different kinds of computer models and systems.
This may include building a website in a variety of ways in order for a variety of computers to understand and therefore displayed on its screen.
Another aspect of website maintenance a Webmaster is responsible for is assuring that a website is downloaded in a reasonable amount of time.
If any problem is found with how fast a website is downloaded and displayed on a user’s screen, Webmasters are responsible for pinpointing what is causing the delay and then figuring out a solution for how to download faster.
Webmasters are also responsible for collecting and analyzing user information.
They type of information they collect and analyze includes metric information such as web activity.
They measure how many users visit the websites they manage.
In addition, Webmasters monitor website traffic patterns.
That is, they figure out what times users visit their websites and determine what times are the most popular for users.
They would also determine what times are slow and how long visitors stay on the website.
Finally, a Webmaster would do some basic customer service such as reading and responding to feedback provided by website users.
Webmaster Salary and Career Path
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports wages for network systems and data communications analysts.
Webmasters would fall under this category as a specialized career track.
The median salary and wage for these professionals in 2008 was approximately $71,000 per year.
The salary range information for the same year was approximately $41,600 to $112,000 per year.
The employment outlook for this profession and similar careers looks strong according the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Exact growth will vary among specialties, but as a whole, employment is expected to increase by 30% through the year 2018.
The below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.
National Average Salary
$* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a webmaster do?
Webmasters are responsible for maintaining and managing websites.
Nowadays website maintenance and optimization includes monitoring the website’s performance on search engines, its functionality, speed, but may also include managing marketing campaigns.
Depending on the website, a webmaster performs some or all the above tasks.
Webmasters need solid knowledge of technical search engine optimization but they should also know web development and graphic design.
Having writing skills and some basic knowledge about content strategy can also be a plus.
Some webmasters work independently or own their own business but larger companies usually employ in-house webmasters to manage and maintain their websites.
How much does a webmaster make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t record specific data about webmasters but the median annual wage for web developers was $69,430 as of May 2018.
Salaries vary widely depending on the webmaster’s level of experience, education and the employer.
As a webmaster, you can make anywhere between less than $40,000 and more than $120,000 a year.
How much does it cost to become a webmaster?
Although educational requirements vary depending on the employer and the type of website, you can start preparing for this profession by finishing a post-secondary training program in web design.
Costs for web design classes vary depending on the duration and the type of program but you can earn a diploma in the field by spending less than $2,000.
Larger companies may prefer candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, marketing, or a related field.
A bachelor’s degree program in computer science will cost you, on average around $42,000-$43,000 a year but tuition costs vary widely depending on the school you choose.
What is the demand for webmasters?
The number of websites is expected to grow in the future and more webmasters will be needed to manage them.
Job prospects should be good especially for those who have completed a post-secondary program in web design or a related field and have a few years of work experience in IT.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t provide data about webmasters but it provides information about web developers, a profession that is projected to grow 13 percent from 2018 to 2028.
How long does it take to become a webmaster?
Webmasters typically need a degree, diploma or certificate in web design, computer science or a related field.
The duration of these programs varies depending on the school you choose and the program itself.
Web design training programs can be completed in as few as 6 months while bachelor’s degree programs are typically 4-years-long.
If you have the skills needed for this job, a few months of formal training and some related experience you can become an entry-level webmaster a few months after finishing high school.
One way of proving your skills to a potential employer is by creating and managing your own website or blog.
However, seeking an academic degree can improve your job prospects and give you better advancement opportunities.
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