Findings from the A LIST APART Survey, 2011

For the fifth year in a row, A List Apart and you have teamed up to shed light on precisely who creates websites. Where do we live? What kind of work do we do? What are our job titles? How well or how poorly are we paid? How satisfied are we, and where do we see ourselves going?

This data comes from our annual survey, promoted via the A List Apart website, our social media profiles, and by word of mouth. The responses are therefore most reflective of our readers and fans, and not necessarily a random sample of web workers.

Once again, we present our findings on the web, with XHTML table data converted to charts care of CSS, Jason Santa Maria, and Eric Meyer. Others who worked on these findings include editor Sara Wachter-Boettcher, producer Tim Murtaugh, and publisher Jeffrey Zeldman.

Those who’ve followed these surveys over the years may notice that the 2011 results are shorter than in years past. In an effort to present a less overwhelming report—and to keep ourselves from going crazy—we’ve culled the survey down to what we believe are the most important categories we can report about our industry. For those who wish to extend past analyses into the present, or to run original analyses, the complete anonymized data tables are available for download in the Addendum, as has been the case in past years.

Analyses contained in this report should be considered primarily descriptive; no attempt was made to assess causality among survey variables. In plain English, be careful not to extrapolate the observations that follow into predictive or causal relationships.

Who are you?

Come here often? What’s your sign?

Respondents were asked basic questions about age, gender, job title, and so on.

Fig. i Age

18 and under	1.1%
19-29	44.3%
30-44	47.6%
45-64	6.7%
65 and over	0.3%

Percentages are based on 14,747 responses to this question (93.9% of all respondents).

The ongoing upward shift in age we noted in the 2010 results continued in 2011. For the first time since we started using these brackets in 2008, respondents in the 30-44 range (up from 44.0% in 2010) overtook those in the 19-29 range (down from 47.2% in 2010).

Fig. ii Gender

Female	18.0%
Male	81.6%
Other	0.5%

Percentages are based on 15,623 responses to this question (99.5% of all respondents).

As in years past, respondents were overwhelmingly male. Over the five years this question has been asked, a slightly higher percentage of respondents has selected female each year: 16.1% in 2007, 16.2% in 2008, 17.4% in 2009, 17.6% in 2010, and 18.0% in 2011; however, overall results are very similar to past years. The addition of Other did not appear to significantly change this pattern.

Fig. iii Ethnicity

Asian / Pacific Rim	4.6%
Black / African	1.2%
Hispanic / Latino	4.0%
Indigenous / Native	0.3%
White / Caucasian	87.1%
Other	2.8%

Percentages are based on 15,591 responses to this question (99.3% of all respondents).

As in past years, respondents are mostly Caucasian. These results have not significantly changed in the five years the survey has been conducted.

Fig. iv Job title

Developer	39.4%
Web Designer	10.9%
Other	10.8%
Designer	7.8%
Interface Designer, UI Designer	6.4%
Project Manager	3.9%
Creative Director	3.6%
Webmaster, Web Master	3.3%
Web Director	3.0%
Art Director	2.3%
Web Producer	1.9%
Information Architect	1.7%
Usability Expert/Consultant/Lead	1.4%
Marketer	1.0%
Content Strategist	0.8%
Educator	0.8%
Writer, Editor	0.7%
Accessibility Expert/Consultant/Lead	0.2%

Percentages are based on 11,088 responses to this question (70.6% of all respondents).

Once again, Developer was the most common response (up from 38.2% in 2010), followed by Designer (down from 12.9% in 2010).

Fig. v Geographic region

North and Central America	60.1%
Europe	31.1%
Oceania	3.9%
Asia	2.4%
South America	1.5%
Africa	0.9%
Antarctica	0.1%

Percentages are based on 15,707 responses to this question (100% of all respondents).

As in past years, the vast majority respondents are located in either North and Central America (up from 56.4% in 2010) or Europe (down from 32.2% in 2010). This category has not seen any notable trends since the question was introduced.

Fig. vi Top 20 responding countries

United States of America	52.7%
United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland	11.5%
Canada	6.6%
Australia, Commonwealth of	2.8%
Germany, Federal Republic of	2.5%
Netherlands, Kingdom of the	2.2%
Italy, Italian Republic	1.6%
Sweden, Kingdom of	1.5%
France, French Republic	1.3%
New Zealand	1.0%
Denmark, Kingdom of	0.8%
Belgium, Kingdom of	0.8%
Spain, Kingdom of	0.8%
Poland, Republic of	0.8%
India, Republic of	0.7%
Norway, Kingdom of	0.7%
South Africa, Republic of	0.7%
Brazil, Federative Republic of	0.7%
Switzerland, Swiss Confederation	0.6%
Greece, Hellenic Republic	0.6%

There were responses from 124 countries in total. The top 20 countries listed here represent 91% of all responses.

Respondents’ top three countries were the US, the UK, and Canada, as they have been since the first year we asked this question, 2008. The next three countries—Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands—have traded spots with one another over the years, but always remained in the top six.

Education and commitment

Fig. vii Education

Grade/primary school	0.7%
High/secondary school	6.8%
Some college or university	19.4%
College diploma, associate's, bachelor's, or equivalent degree	58.1%
Master's degree	14.1%
Doctorate	0.9%

Percentages are based on 15,654 responses to this question (99.7% of all respondents).

Overall trends in respondents’ education remained the same in 2011, with those holding college or university degrees representing the majority. However, over the years, the percentage of those who answered grade/primary school, high/secondary school, or some college or university has decreased slightly each year. When taken together, responses in these categories have fallen from 32.2% in 2008 to 26.9% in 2011.

Fig. viii Relevance of education

A lot	16.8%
Some	37.4%
A little	29.3%
Not at all	16.6%

Percentages are based on 15,660 responses to this question (99.7% of all respondents).

Once again, respondents most commonly said their education has “some” relevance to their work. The overall breakdown of responses to this question has not changed substantially since 2008.

Fig. ix Excited by field

A lot	44.4%
Some	41.5%
A little	11.1%
Not at all	2.9%

Percentages are based on 15,637 responses to this question (99.6% of all respondents).

This year, the vast majority of respondents—85.9%—reported being excited by their field either “a lot” or “some.” This question was worded differently in past years, so comparisons are difficult.

Fig. x Have a personal site/blog

Yes	71.8%
No	28.2%

Percentages are based on 15,606 responses to this question (99.4% of all respondents).

As in each of the years past, more than 7 out of 10 respondents reported having a personal site or blog.

Fig. xi Time personal site/blog online

Less than a year	7.3%
1 year	6.4%
2 years	10.8%
3 years	11.3%
4 years	9.1%
5 years	11.0%
6 years	7.3%
7 years	5.8%
8 years	5.4%
9 years	2.5%
10 years (or more)	23.2%

Percentages are based on 11,204 respondents who indicated they have a blog (71.8% of all respondents to the question).

For the first time, more than 1 in 5 respondents reported their blog or site as being online for more than 10 years.

It’s a workaday world

Fig. xii Type of organization

Partner in a large company or organization	2.0%
Partner in a small business	7.6%
Employee of a company, university, library, museum, nonprofit, or other organization	61.1%
Independent contractor/freelancer or owner of my own small business	26.0%
Student, hobbyist, volunteer, or other uncompensated role	3.3%

Percentages are based on 15,707 responses to this question (100% of all respondents).

As in past years, more than half of the respondents do their web work as an employee, and just over a quarter do it as a freelancer or contractor. However, 2011 saw a slightly increased percentage of employee responses than in previous years.

Fig. xiii Organization size

Self-employed/freelance	29.4%
2-5 employees	8.3%
6-10 employees	7.9%
11-25 employees	10.8%
26-50 employees	8.5%
51-300 employees	14.5%
301-750 employees	5.6%
751-3000 employees	5.9%
More than 3000 employees	9.1%

Percentages are based on 15,665 responses to this question (99.7% of all respondents).

Significantly more respondents reported being self-employed/freelance in 2011 than in past years (23.0% reported this in 2010, 24.0% in 2009, and 21.5% in 2008). However, the overall distribution looks similar.

Fig. xiv Hours worked per week

Less than 20 hours	4.9%
20-29 hours	5.1%
30-39 hours	18.8%
40-49 hours	52.3%
50-59 hours	13.0%
60 hours or more	5.9%

Percentages are based on 15,665 responses to this question (99.7% of all respondents).

The 2011 results are quite similar to the 2008, 2009, and 2010 results, with the majority of respondents working 40-49 hours per week.

Fig. xv Years in the field

Less than a year	3.7%
1 year	4.7%
2 years	8.6%
3 years	9.4%
4 years	8.8%
5 years	11.2%
6 years	7.9%
7 years	5.7%
8 years	5.2%
9 years	2.4%
10 years (or more)	31.0%
Not applicable	1.4%

Percentages are based on 15,680 responses to this question (99.8% of all respondents).

Those reporting more than 10 years’ experience has risen steadily each year, from 19.6% in 2008 to 31.0% percent in 2011. Meanwhile, those reporting fewer than 5 years’ experience has slowly decreased each year, from 41.7% in 2008 to 35.2% in 2011.

Fig. xvi Degree of web work

All or nearly all of my work is web-related	60.6%
Most of my work is web-related	23.9%
About half my work is web-related	9.4%
Around a quarter of my work is web-related	3.4%
Web-related work is a small part of what I do	2.3%
I don't do any web-related work	0.3%

Percentages are based on 15,630 responses to this question (99.5% of all respondents).

More than 6 out of 10 respondents said their work was all or nearly all web-related in 2011, matching trends from past years. The percentage of respondents who say about a quarter of their work or less is web-related has slowly dropped over the years, from 9.4% in 2008 to 6.0% in 2011.

Fig. xvii Years at current job

Less than a year	28.3%
1 year	15.2%
2 years	15.0%
3 years	11.7%
4 years	7.7%
5 years	6.5%
6 years	4.1%
7 years	2.3%
8 years	1.9%
9 years	1.1%
10 years (or more)	6.1%
Not applicable	0.1%

Percentages are based on 11,076 responses to this question (70.5% of all respondents).

This question was only for partners and/or employees. Though the responses are broadly similar to last year’s, more people reported being at their current job for less than a year than in any past survey.

Fig. xviii Number of years freelancing

Less than a year	12.9%
1 year	11.0%
2 years	14.7%
3 years	13.4%
4 years	8.2%
5 years	8.7%
6 years	6.0%
7 years	3.3%
8 years	3.8%
9 years	1.5%
10 years (or more)	14.2%
Not applicable	2.3%

Percentages are based on 4,597 responses to this question (29.3% of all respondents).

This was only asked of freelancers. The responses are broadly similar to past years, with the majority of respondents reporting either freelancing for three years or fewer, or for more than 10 years.

Fig. xix Next career move

Get a promotion at my current job	17.6%
New job in a new organization	17.4%
Stay where I am	13.1%
Start my own business	11.6%
Learn a new skill	10.4%
Expand my business	9.9%
Start pitching a better class of client	5.5%
Change my area of specialization (for instance, from design to development)	4.4%
Begin (or expand) my professional writing or speaking	2.7%
Attend a conference/take classes/other educational activity	2.2%
Get my first job in the field	2.1%
Find a partner whose skills complement mine	2.0%
Leave the profession	1.2%

Percentages are based on 14,974 responses to this question (95.3% of all respondents).

Responses were largely similar to previous years, though those who want to get a promotion at their current job edged out those who want to get a new job at a new organization, which has only happened once before, in 2008.

Fig. xx Paid vacation

1-3 days	1.5%
4-8 days	5.1%
9-11 days	11.8%
11-13 days	7.1%
13-15 days	20.1%
More than 15 days	45.6%
Not applicable	8.7%

Percentages are based on 11,034 responses to this question (70.2% of all respondents).

Response categories for this question were simplified in 2011, so some comparisons to years past are difficult. However, we can see that 45.6 percent of respondents reported having 15 days of vacation or fewer in 2011, versus 40.9% last year.

Fig. xxi Paid holidays

1-3 days	3.1%
4-8 days	45.2%
9-11 days	25.1%
11-13 days	7.6%
13-15 days	4.1%
More than 15 days	6.0%
Not applicable	8.9%

Percentages are based on 11,035 responses to this question (70.3% of all respondents).

Results were similar here as in 2010, with most respondents reporting either 4-8 or 9-11 paid holidays per year.

Money, honey

Fig. xxii Salary

Less than $10,000	10.6%
$10,000-$19,999	8.4%
$20,000-$39,999	19.6%
$40,000-$59,999	24.3%
$60,000-$79,999	17.7%
$80,000-$99,999	9.6%
$100,000-$119,999	4.9%
$120,000-$149,999	2.8%
More than $150,000	2.1%

Percentages are based on 15,454 responses to this question (98.4% of all respondents).

The 2011 respondents reported a salary distribution nearly identical to that seen in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Fig. xxiii Amount of last raise

My salary decreased	3.8%
1-5%	32.1%
6-10%	16.9%
11-15%	8.1%
16-20%	5.4%
21-25%	3.2%
26-30%	1.4%
31-35%	1.1%
36-40%	0.7%
41-45%	0.5%
46-50%	0.7%
51-75%	0.7%
76-100%	0.4%
More than 100%	0.5%
Not applicable	24.5%

Percentages are based on 11,048 responses to this question (70.3% of all respondents).

Around a quarter of respondents once again answered this question as “not applicable.” For those who did provide a number, the most popular responses were once again 1-5% and 6-10%.

Fig. xxiv Time since last raise

Less than a year	44.5%
1 year	20.5%
2 years	6.9%
3 years	3.1%
4 years	1.3%
5 or more years	0.9%
Not applicable	22.8%

Percentages are based on 11,046 responses to this question (70.3% of all respondents).

This year, 64.9% reported receiving a raise within the past year, compared with 61.6% in 2010, 56.7% in 2009, and 71.3% in 2008.

Perceived biases

NOTE: We used the percentage of respondents who said either “definitely yes” or “probably yes” to compare perceptions of bias.

Fig. xxv Perceived age bias

Definitely not	41.3%
Probably not	33.0%
Maybe	13.2%
Probably yes	8.7%
Definitely yes	3.8%

Percentages are based on 15,581 responses to this question (99.2% of all respondents).

Of respondents, 12.5% said definitely or probably yes, slightly fewer than in years past. Interestingly, those reporting definitely not fell by 5.7% from 2010, while those reporting probably not increased by 9%.

Fig. xxvi Perceived gender bias

Definitely not	68.0%
Probably not	22.3%
Maybe	5.4%
Probably yes	3.0%
Definitely yes	1.3%

Percentages are based on 15,557 responses to this question (99% of all respondents).

Of respondents, 4.3% said definitely or probably yes. This percentage is slightly lower than last year (-0.5%), but slightly higher than in 2008 and equal to 2009.

Fig. xxvii Perceived ethnic bias

Definitely not	74.6%
Probably not	19.8%
Maybe	3.6%
Probably yes	1.4%
Definitely yes	0.6%

Percentages are based on 15,552 responses to this question (99% of all respondents).

In 2011, 94.4% of respondents said either definitely not or probably not, compared with 93.6% in 2010. Answers to this question have remained very consistent since 2008.

Fig. xxviii Perceived geographic bias

Definitely not	29.1%
Probably not	26.1%
Maybe	17.5%
Probably yes	17.2%
Definitely yes	10.2%

Percentages are based on 15,611 responses to this question (99.4% of all respondents).

Answers to this question were generally similar to past years, with the exception that maybe decreased by 3.6% from 2010, while probably not increased by 7.3% over the same period.

Fig. xxix Perceived disability bias

Definitely not	16.7%
Probably not	7.1%
Maybe	3.2%
Definitely yes	0.6%
Probably yes	1.3%
Not applicable	71.0%

Percentages are based on 15,578 responses to this question (99.2% of all respondents).

In 2011, 23.8% of respondents reported definitely not or probably not, compared with a similar number—22.0%—in 2010. However, a much higher proportion of those selected the more certain term, definitely, this year than last.