What Is a UX Data Analyst?

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Explore a UX data analyst's work duties, skills, and employment prospects.

[Featured Image] A UX data analyst wears a headset, sits at a desk in their office, and uses a computer to look at data to determine whether their organization's product is user-friendly.

Key takeaways

A UX data analyst collects data on users’ experiences with a finished application and analyzes it to identify further improvements.

  • The median total pay for a UX data analyst is $140,000 annually [1].

  • You can work toward a career as a UX data analyst by increasing your knowledge of JavaScript.

  • You can become a UX data analyst by pursuing an appropriate degree program, selecting a UX specialization, gaining relevant experience, and earning certifications.

Explore the job skills, salary, and career outlook of a UX data analyst to help shed more light on this fast-paced, exciting role. If you’re ready to begin enhancing your UX skill set, enroll in the Google UX Design Professional Certificate, where in as little as six months, you can learn about web design, user research, usability testing, wireframing, and more.

What is a UX data analyst?

As a UX data analyst, you determine the ease with which a user interacts with an application and then figure out ways to improve that interaction. The following offers an interesting analogy to help you better understand the role of a UX data analyst, also known as a usability analyst.

Consider user experience (UX) as a journey through a well-designed theme park. The UX analyst takes on the role of the park planner or supervisor, aiming to tactically reduce the number of waiting lines (steps) required to reach attractions (complete tasks) and eliminate obstacles such as confusing signs or barriers (usability issues) that might impede visitors’ overall experience.

In the realm of interface and software design, usability analysts work toward elevating the engagement rates of consumers for a particular business’s website, mobile app, or software application.

What does a UX data analyst do?

A vital member of a UX team, a UX data analyst specializes in collecting and studying user-related data to assess software usability. Working alongside designers, researchers, and product managers, you help build a usability roadmap for the product, making it more intuitive for the user.

Other everyday work duties you can expect as a UX data analyst include:

  • Harnessing analytics to gain a better understanding of end-user needs

  • Devising tests to gauge the usability of software module(s) in the development phase

  • Examining in-use software to proactively identify usability issues

  • Translating usability insights into actionable directives for UX teams

  • Crafting standards for user interface design

Read more: What Is UI Design? Definition, Tips, Best Practices

Data analyst or UX designer: Can a UX designer become a data analyst?

A UX designer is a good candidate for becoming a UX data analyst. As a UX data analyst, you need a good understanding of the role of a UX designer and the tools they use, as well as knowledge of programming languages, to offer recommendations on how to improve a product's user experience. Therefore, experience in a UX designer role can be beneficial.

UX data analyst jobs: Where do they work?

UX professionals work in a range of industries, with some popular options including software and IT organizations, the banking industry, and business. Top companies hiring UX professionals include Google, Visa, Informatica, and Bloomberg [1]. 

UX data analyst vs. UX designer

The roles of a data analyst and a UX designer are different, despite crossovers. While they both focus on user experience, a UX data analyst collects and analyzes data to understand how a user interacts with an application, website, or digital product, and researches ways to improve it. A UX designer uses the recommendations from a data analyst to inform the design process.

UX data analyst skills

Although not an exhaustive compilation, the following lists some skills you can master to ease your journey to becoming a UX data analyst:

Technical skills

1. Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Considering its ubiquitous use in web development, a firm grasp of hypertext markup language (HTML) is particularly advantageous. Your familiarity with HTML allows you to navigate and comprehend the structure of web pages, contributing to a more informed analysis of user experience. Additionally, knowledge of cascading style sheets (CSS) and JavaScript enhances your ability to assess and improve interactive user interfaces.

2. Understanding of UX KPIs and analytics

Surveys, A/B testing, usability testing, and behavioral analytics tools comprise the bulk of UX analytics. At the same time, key performance indicators (KPIs) such as task success and conversion rates offer insights into various aspects of end-user experience. Your analytical expertise and ability to discern and evaluate relevant metrics empower you to navigate complex data sets, identify meaningful correlations, and translate these findings into actionable recommendations.

3. Adeptness in wireframing

Wireframing lets you create visual blueprints illustrating a website's structure and interface elements. Developed at the start of a project, wireframes let you provide stakeholders, clients, or project teams with a clear roadmap and a glimpse into the final product's look and functionality.

Workplace skills

1. Clear communication

By clearly and concisely articulating the significance of your UX findings after your analysis, you facilitate a shared understanding among team members about how to improve the product. This is particularly important in the collaborative environment of UX, where interdisciplinary teams bring diverse perspectives and expertise.

2. Teamwork

As a UX analyst, your ability to thrive in a team setting is fundamental. The collaborative nature of your role involves working closely with graphic designers and web architects, among other UX professionals. Being a team player ensures effective collaboration, ultimately leading to more impactful and user-centric solutions that enhance the product.

3. Active listening

Developing active listening skills is an investment in your effectiveness as a UX analyst. It enables you to navigate the intricate landscape of user needs, collaborate successfully with various stakeholders, and ultimately contribute to creating user experiences that resonate authentically with the intended audience.

UX data analyst salary

According to January 2026 data sourced from multiple job listing sites, the median total income for UX data analysts ranges from $61,000 to $140,000, a figure that includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation. The following table lists the annual pay provided by Payscale, Salary.com, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter [1,2,3,4].

GlassdoorPayscaleSalary.comZip Recruiter
$140,000$77,000$73,564$76,500

UX data analyst job outlook

If you’re considering pursuing a career in this field, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a 7 percent growth in job opportunities for web developers and digital designers between 2024 and 2034 [5]. This category, which UX data analysts fall under, will grow faster than the average for all jobs. Furthermore, the BLS expects about 14,500 job openings in this sector of the economy annually over the forecast period [5].

How to become a UX data analyst

The path to becoming a usability analyst isn’t always linear. However, you can take some of the following steps to get a head start:

1. Get the right education.

Consider starting with a degree in a UX-related field like computer science or graphic design, and you might also double-major in subjects related to human behavior, such as psychology. Although a degree isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s important to note that many employers prefer candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree.

2. Pick a niche in UX.

Take the time to assess which specific aspect of UX research resonates with your skills and interests. Whether it's usability testing, user interviews, or data analysis, pinpoint the area where you feel the strongest connection.

Once you've identified your preferred specialization, it's crucial to actively pursue growth and development in that particular domain as you join the workforce.

3. Gain relevant experience.

A common criterion in job listings for UX analyst roles is a minimum of two years of experience in UX. You might opt to begin your career in an entry-level position such as a UX research assistant, junior UX researcher, or usability tester. You can also work in related roles like UX designer, researcher, writer, product designer, or information architect. Gradually, this can help you attain the UX analyst position.

4. Continue learning with certifications.

Certification validates your skills and showcases a dedication to delivering high-quality user experiences, making you a sought-after professional in the dynamic UX landscape. The following lists a few industry-acknowledged certifications:

  • HFI Certified Usability Analyst (CUA)

  • NN/g UX Certification

  • Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate

  • HFI Certified User Experience Analyst (CXA)

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Article sources

1. 

Glassdoor. “User Experience Analyst Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Career/user-experience-analyst-career_KO0,23.htm.” Accessed January 27, 2026.

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