Jeff Croft:
Forgive me if I sound harsh, but if your skill set is basically HTML and CSS, then I think you are worth maybe twelve bucks an hour. HTML and CSS are extremely simple languages anyone can learn in a weekend by picking up a good book or two. These are not particularly valuable skills. The same can be said for Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and just about any other piece of software or spec you can name.
So what is valuable? Judgement. Logic. Creativity. Ability to learn quickly. Ability to work under pressure. Experience. Empathy. Design theory. Design history. Opinions. Decisions. And so on. I’d like to think that a good 80% of what my employer pays me for is for these things. Hopefully only a small percentage of my salary is because I know CSS and Photoshop.
And might I add: The tools are exactly that for the designer: tools. The rest is all in your head.
After recently having two face to face interviews for jobs that require skills just like these I can appreciate this post. I spent yesterday in DC and found that the first hour of my 2.5 hour interview was consumed by one on one questions about my ability to prioritize, make decisions and communicate on a team. I am quickly learning that potential employers are looking at you as a person and the skills you possess are only a bonus.