Web Designers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Web Designers plan, design, develop and prepare information for Internet publication with particular emphasis on the user interface, ease of navigation and location of information using text, pictures, animation, sound, colours, layout and data sources to deliver information tailored to an intended audience and purpose.
Tasks
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Determines the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders.
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Undertakes research and analyses functional communication requirements.
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Formulates design concepts for the subject to be communicated.
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Negotiates design solutions with clients, management, sales and production staff.
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Details and documents the selected design for production.
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Supervises or carries out production in the chosen media.
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May archive information for future client use.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Analytical
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Creative
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Administrative
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Sedentary
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 70% of people employed as Web Designers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 4 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Web Designers work in the Professional, scientific and technical services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Web Designers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 37.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 31.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 15.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 4.4 | 7.0 |
WA | 7.3 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 76% of Web Designers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
New South Wales and Victoria have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - Inner
- Sydney - City and Inner South
- Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
- Gold Coast
- Melbourne - Inner South.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Web Designers is 34 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 38% of the workforce. This is 10 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Web Designers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.5 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.8 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 40.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 29.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 12.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 3.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 1.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 34 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A formal qualification in web design, digital design, digital media or another related field is usually needed to work as a Web Designer. University and Vocational Education and Training (VET) are both common study pathways.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Information and Communications Technology VET training pathways and Printing & Graphic Arts VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Web Designers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 12.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 43.9 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 18.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 8.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 13.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 1.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 2.8 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators who have good interpersonal skills, work well in a team and are creative and innovative. Employers also value computer literacy.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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59%
ProgrammingWriting computer programs.
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59%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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57%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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55%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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54%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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52%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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52%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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52%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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50%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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50%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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48%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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48%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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48%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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48%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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46%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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46%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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45%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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45%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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81%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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64%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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58%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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57%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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56%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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56%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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54%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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50%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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49%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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48%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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37%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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36%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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35%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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33%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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31%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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29%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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28%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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27%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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26%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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14%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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59%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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55%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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54%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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52%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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52%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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52%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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52%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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52%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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50%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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50%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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50%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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48%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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46%
Speed of recognitionQuickly make sense of and organize things you can see like letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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45%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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82%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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79%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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75%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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70%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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70%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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68%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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67%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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67%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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64%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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64%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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61%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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60%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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58%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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57%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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57%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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52%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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52%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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51%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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50%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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45%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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76%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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71%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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62%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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57%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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48%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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81%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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76%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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71%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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71%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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57%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Demands
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97%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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96%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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96%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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88%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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87%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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84%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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82%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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81%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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81%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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78%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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76%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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73%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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72%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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71%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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70%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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67%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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61%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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59%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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59%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 15-1134.00 - Web Developers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.