UX Researcher Salary: What You’ll Make and Why

A UX researcher’s salary in the US can vary, according to different salary aggregate websites. Average total pay (base salaries + additional compensation) for UX researchers in the US, as of May 2023 are as follows:

Keep in mind: Salary aggregate websites often rely on data submitted by individuals using the site. Some websites may have received larger amounts of higher- or lower-than-average salaries that can affect the site’s calculated average.

Read more: What Is a UX Researcher? How to Get the Job

What influences a salary?

Salaries of UX researchers can fluctuate widely depending on experience, location, and additional compensation on top of your base salary.

Experience and titles

Salary increases are generally tied to your experience level, and subsequently your title. For example, an associate UX researcher—”associate” being an indicator for an early-career position—typically earns less than a mid- or senior-level UX researcher. The more experience you gain, the more likely you’ll be trusted with responsibilities, opening a path to promotions and salary increases.

See experience-based salaries below (base salary + additional compensation on Glassdoor, May 2023):

Location

It’s no secret that some cities are more expensive to live in than others. To compensate for the increased cost of living and attract top talent, companies located in expensive areas can offer a salary that reflects the discrepancy. 

Here’s a sampling of what you might make across various big and medium-sized cities in the US (base salary + additional compensation on Glassdoor, May 2023).

Benefits, perks, and bonuses

In the US, your salary is generally accompanied by a benefits package and some perks. These can include health insurance, paid vacation days, stock options, parental leave, or even gym reimbursements, transportation subsidies, and the chance to work from home. It’s a good idea to keep this in mind when offered a job. Sometimes a less-than-desirable salary can be offset by a benefits package that can save you money on your commute, or perks that allow you to live the lifestyle you want to live. If you’re trying to negotiate a higher salary but haven’t been successful, you might be able to negotiate an expanded benefits package.

Some companies can also offer bonuses at various points in the year. These can be based on individual, team, or company-wide performance. Though it’s hard to predict ahead of time, you can ask a hiring manager if giving out bonuses is typical of a company.

How does this compare to similar jobs? 

UX research is one among many types of UX jobs. Here’s how it stacks up, salary-wise, against some others (according to Glassdoor, May 2023).

• Human factors researcher: $85,937

• Product researcher: $59,996

• UX writer: $74,547

• UX designer: $94,260

• UI designer:  $98,758

• UX engineer: $126,341

How to increase your salary

Looking for a way to boost your salary? Here are a few ways to consider.

• Expand your skills: UX researchers have several ways to test a product’s viability. Expanding the tools you know how to use can improve your company’s insight into its customers and its products. A/B testing, card sorting, tree sorting, constructing user personas, conducting user interviews, and analytics research are a few of the different tools a UX researcher can use. If you see any gaps in your company’s current research methods, you might approach your manager to see if you’d be able to spearhead an effort to fill them. 

Read more: 9 Essential Skills for UX Designers in 2023

• Ask for a raise: Though it can be intimidating, sometimes the simplest way to increase your salary is to ask your manager. When approaching your boss, talk about past performance reviews, and bring some data on how exactly your company has benefited from your work. You should also have a target salary in mind, and be prepared to negotiate. 

Read more: How To Ask for a Promotion: Step-By-Step Guide

• Go back to school: Hiring managers for UX researchers often look for candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree, but frequently call for those with master’s degrees, or even PhDs. Getting an advanced degree in human-computer interaction, psychology, behavioral science, or a related social science degree can boost your earning potential. After all, higher levels of education are correlated with higher incomes [1].

Getting started on Coursera

The world of UX might seem like a foreign and intriguing space to those on the outside. It doesn’t have to stay that way. For those who are just starting to explore the UX world, consider the Google UX Design Professional Certificate. In this course, you can gain exposure to a host of foundational UX design tools and methods, learn how to plan a UX research study, and apply your findings to modify designs.