anyone a web designer?
 

If so, how often do people need webpage designed? I heard it's contract work and if you're good, companies can hire you for positions where you get paid on salary? Need some info if this would be a good thing to get into.

it all very much depends on what you do, and what you specialize in

for people going big time contract work, they are typically programmers with a bit of design know how- they then contract out more design stuff to others but put it all together themselves

i'm a somewhat novice designer, and i'm almost purely based on design not programing, personally im looking for a job with a company atm rather then doing freelance stuff

It's contract work if you are a freelancer with your own client base. Your compensation here will vary depending on what your sales pipeline looks like and the money you can convince clients to pay you.

If you are working for a company, then they will give you work which you are expected to deliver by certain deadlines.The compensation varies greatly from $10/hr for the Richmond sweatshops to well over $100+/hr if you are a User Experience/Interactive Design god.

To get into it, you will need to have a portfolio. To get one (and the skills), you will need to do some or all of the following:

a) Do volunteer work
b) Teach yourself skills
c) Go to school
d) Convince someone that you have skills even though you are completely unproven