Pay for web designers varies according to experience and geographic location. In 2006, the median salary of a web designer was $48,000 per year, according to the American Institute of Graphic Arts. A designer in Boston received a median salary of $60,000, however, while a designer in New York City had a median salary of only $47,000. Pay is also influenced by educational level. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that a B.A. is required for most entry-level web design jobs. Education can be obtained through a regular four-year graphic arts program at a college or university, but this is not always necessary to get a good web design position, since many employers will accept a two-year degree. Of equal or even greater importance is having a good portfolio and experience with relevant design software.