Let’s normalize talking about salaries!
Let’s be real, while we may love our jobs, none of us are putting focus groups together and running tree tests for the joy of human companionship. You have the right (legally in some countries) to be compensated fairly for your job.
But translating the value you bring to the table into money matters can be tough. If you are new in the industry, or working as a contractor, it’s even harder to get insights on what fair pay looks like, and what you need to negotiate for.
Dan Winer has some great tips on mapping your work to real business outcomes. You can read it here.
The shroud of mystery around UX salaries only ends up benefiting exploitative hiring practices. It’s also awkward to push, negotiate and ask for more, especially in today’s turbulent hiring market, with surprise layoffs and cutbacks around the corner.
Thankfully, the UX community is great at using their superpower— research— to study what UX salaries look like around the world, taking geography, experience and expertise into account!
We’ve pulled together data from trusty sources including the Global UX Compensation Transparency Project, State of User Research 2023 Report and platforms like Glassdoor and Levels.fyi, to create a handy guide for UX designers, researchers and product folks navigating salary expectations and negotiations.
Whether you are negotiating for a promotion at your current company or looking for a new role, this article will help you figure out what the median compensation looks like for your role, with plenty of helpful tips on how to negotiate for more.
If you'd like to contribute to our UX salary insights, write to us at support@looppanel.com
Let’s dive in!
Compared to other professions, UX designers and researchers are compensated reasonably well! A 2022 Glassdoor study even rated UX design at #24 among top professions in North America, based on job satisfaction and compensation.
Across the globe, the UX researcher pay depends on a lot of factors, including local market dynamics and educational qualifications. Tech hubs like Silicon Valley have the highest numbers in terms of compensation, with an average median annual salary of $122,000.
Regions with emerging UX markets like South America, Asia, and Africa offer comparatively less, with an average Brazilian researcher, for example, earning a median salary of $29,797 annually.
Here are 5 factors that affect your salary and compensation.
Obviously, the more years you’ve clocked in, the higher the compensation gets. However, note that seniority goes beyond the number of years in your field. Employers also look at what you’ve done—the projects you’ve worked on, leadership skills, mentorship capabilities, and strategic thinking when determining salary levels for senior UX roles.
Cities like San Francisco, New York, and London typically offer higher salaries to compensate for the high cost of living and fierce competition for talent. On the other hand, emerging UX markets in regions like Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America may offer lower salaries, in keeping with the living expenses and labor market.
UX is still a new-ish field from an academic point of view, which means that a majority of UX designers and researchers might not have a formal education in UX. An educational qualification in a related field like Psychology, Design or Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), can enhance a candidate’s marketability and command higher salaries, particularly for research-focused roles. However, practical experience and a robust portfolio of work often carry more weight than academic credentials alone.
Beyond seniority, the depth and breadth of experience within specific UX disciplines can significantly influence salary levels.
For example, UX-ers with expertise working on AI features or VR may command a higher salary because these skillsets are still limited.
The type of organization—whether it’s a large multinational corporation, a mid-sized tech company, a boutique design agency, or a startup—can also impact UX salaries.
Established companies— think Google, Apple, Meta and Microsoft, with robust UX teams and a strong design culture may offer competitive salary packages and comprehensive benefits to attract top talent. Startups and smaller firms, while potentially offering lower base salaries, may provide equity options, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for rapid career advancement.
To make this simpler, we’ve listed below the average base salary compensation that UX professionals receive by region. All sums are displayed in USD.
This data is based on the information available on Glassdoor, Payscale, Uxcel and the Global UX Compensation Transparency Project, as of March 2024.
Do note that this doesn’t include performance bonuses, insurance and other benefits.
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According to the State of User Research Report by User Interviews, UX professionals in North America receive a higher average and median salary compared to their counterparts in the rest of the world. Good for you!
Here’s a breakdown of what that comes up to.
Combining data across multiple sources, it’s clear that UX Researchers in the United States typically command salaries north of $100,000, with junior researchers falling in the 100k-140k range and more senior folks raking in $140-$180k yearly.
The top paying companies for UX researchers in the United States include Meta (median pay of $212k), Google (median pay of $202k) and ServiceNow (median pay of $124k).
Of course, keep in mind that these are averages! It’s possible for smaller companies or entry level roles to pay below $100k, and for senior roles to go above $250k.
The average UX Designer’s pay range in the United States is $74k - $122k as of 2024.
Across data sources, junior UX Designers are compensated between $70k - $165k with an average of $94,000 per year.
Compensation grows with experience, of course. Senior and Director level UX Designers with over 4-5 years of experience earn $115-$200k yearly.
The top paying companies for UX designers in the United States include Apple (median pay of $193k), Google (median pay of $209k) and Microsoft (median pay of $167k).
Fun fact: the median salary for UX researchers in the UK is 91% higher than the national median salary, according to the 2022 data by the Office for National Statistics.
UX Researchers in the United Kingdom typically earn salaries in the average range of $53 - $91k (around £41k - £72k).
Junior researchers earn around $66k (£51k) on an average.
Senior designers, team leads and VPs bring in an estimated average income within $72-$95k (around £56k - £74k) yearly.
UX and product designers in the United Kingdom earn salaries in the range of $53 - $70k (approx £41k - £55k).
For designers in junior/entry level positions, the base salary can start from $29k (£22k approx) and go upto $61k (£47k approx).
Design leads, mid-level and senior designers can earn from $70k (£54k) upto $95k (£74k), while Director and executive roles earn upwards of $114k (£90k).
UX Researchers across Europe typically earn anywhere from $43k - $120k.
Again, the average pay differs from region to region.
The average UX researcher salary in Amsterdam is $58873.
In Italy, the average base pay is $38,000.
In Germany, the average UX researcher salary comes up to approximately $59963.
Senior designers, team leads and VPs bring in upwards of $70k USD yearly.
For UX designers, the base annual income in Europe tends to range from $35k in USD to $147k USD, based on experience and geographical region.
The average salary for a product designer in Spain is approximately $33k, whereas a designer in Germany earns an average of $56k USD.
Senior designers, team leads and directors can earn up to $245k in high-income cities like Berlin and Amsterdam.
Compared to their counterparts in North America and Europe, UX researchers and designers in Africa receive the lowest average salaries, followed by Asia with the second-lowest average and median UX income.
We’ve calculated the average base pay for UX professionals across international economic capitals, based on the crowd-funded information available online.
Do note that the exchange rates used to calculate these amounts in USD can also fluctuate over time, based on the value of the region’s currency.
Here’s the average yearly base salary for UX researchers by region, accounting for variations based on experience and seniority.
Here’s what UX/UI/Product designers around the world make on an average, accounting for variations based on experience and seniority.
When it comes to evaluating your pay package, don't focus on just the amount offered; think of the total package. It all adds up.
Beyond the base salary, consider the total compensation package, including bonuses, stock options, benefits (such as healthcare, retirement plans, and wellness programs), and additional perks (such as flexible work hours, remote work options, and professional development opportunities). A comprehensive compensation package can significantly impact your overall financial well-being and job satisfaction.
Following the money doesn’t always work, when it comes to picking a place to work. Assess the long-term career growth opportunities offered by the organization, including opportunities for mentorship, skill development, advancement into leadership roles, and exposure to cutting-edge projects and technologies. A company that invests in employee growth and development can provide a more fulfilling and rewarding career path in the long run.
Consider the organization’s culture and values regarding work-life balance and flexibility too. It makes a huge difference.
As we’ve all become painfully aware, the job market can change course rapidly! It’s important to stay informed about market trends, industry standards, and salary benchmarks for similar roles and responsibilities in your geographic location and field of expertise. Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry reports can provide valuable insights into salary ranges, trends, and best practices in UX salary.
If you're new to UX research, read Victoria Vela's complete guide to building a UX career here.
Salary negotiations after a job interview can feel like a Mafia dinner confrontation straight out of an Al Pacino movie. You have to be diplomatic, read between the lines and really understand what your future employers care about, to get what you need.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind while talking about money matters with employers.
This includes reading this article thoroughly! Do your research on what your peers are earning, and what compensation packages look like in other companies.
Not only does this make you feel more comfortable when asking for a specific number, it also allows you to back it up with evidence.
Be frank about your expectations and why the amount matters to you. Different people have different priorities—one person may be focused on growth opportunities, while others are focused on job security.
It’s okay to be transparent about your decision criteria and where you are in life.
What are their constraints? What are they negotiating for?
While you may have landed your dream job, it’s possible that the employer can’t tick all your boxes.
Be collaborative—ask them what their hard stops are and see where there’s some wiggle room. Perhaps they can’t offer more stock options, but they can offer more cash in hand.
Compare your employer’s hard stops with your own to find a common middle ground.
Go in with confidence, and believe that you deserve what you’re asking for! Buuut that being said, sometimes job satisfaction doesn’t depend wholly on the monetary aspect— it could also come from other factors.
As we said before, think about the entire package– the responsibilities, vacation days, flexibility, and career growth opportunities.
Most importantly, keep an open mind! Especially if it comes to being a little flexible, for the sake of the non-monetary aspects of the offer.
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