User experience (UX) designers play a pivotal role in realizing this vision, making them highly coveted professionals in demand.
Joshua Randall, the director of education at the User Experience Professional Association (UXPA) and a senior UX designer at The Home Depot, attests to the enduring popularity of UX design. He has witnessed substantial growth in the field over recent years.
The realm of web development and digital design, which encompasses UX design, is projected to expand by 16% in the coming decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Compensation in this field is notably attractive. The average salary for UX/UI designers was reported at $95,417 in 2023 by Dice’s Tech Trends Salary report. Similarly, Glassdoor’s data aligns, with average salaries for UX designers hovering around this figure.
However, these figures represent the median, indicating that a significant portion of UX professionals earn six-figure salaries, sometimes even at entry-level positions.
Maca Baigorria, CEO of Avocademy—a bootcamp specializing in UX/UI design—notes that while graduates typically start with salaries ranging from $85,000 to $90,000, exceptional candidates can command six-figure incomes from the outset. Baigorria cites an instance where a newcomer to the field secured a $180,000 salary, despite lacking prior design experience.
Baigorria emphasizes the importance of both learning and practical application in securing employment opportunities. “It’s really hard to get a job without experience. And it’s hard to get experience without a job, right?” Baigorria explains. “So, I believe not only do you need to learn this stuff, but you need to actually go out there and do it.”
Where can you land a job in UX/UI?
UX design teams are prevalent across companies of various sizes and industries, many of which are eager to expand. According to Baigorria, graduates frequently secure entry-level positions at Fortune 500 companies, specifically mentioning JP Morgan Chase, Amazon, and Dell.
Despite over 260,000 tech employees experiencing layoffs in 2023, the tech unemployment rate remains consistently low at 2.3%, as reported by CompTIA.
While UX design is heavily associated with the tech sector, there are abundant opportunities in fields such as healthcare and education, Baigorria points out. Companies like CVS, United Healthcare, and Johnson & Johnson are cited as examples.
Baigorria underscores that tech giants like Meta, Spotify, and Amazon aren’t the sole employers of UX designers. She highlights the healthcare industry, which has thrived since the onset of COVID-19, as a significant source of employment opportunities for designers.
How can you land a high-paying UX/UI job?
For those looking to enter the UX field or advance their careers with lucrative opportunities, Baigorria offers straightforward advice:
- Acquire the necessary skills.
- Gain practical experience.
- Approach the job search with resilience and patience.
Regarding salary considerations, it’s essential to note that only certain states in the U.S. mandate the disclosure of salary ranges in job postings, such as California, New York, and Washington. However, it’s important to weigh these figures against the cost of living in those regions, which may be higher compared to others.
To provide insight into potential salary prospects for experienced UX designers, Fortune has compiled salary ranges from various Fortune 500 companies. It’s important to recognize that these figures are based on job postings at the time of publication and may not accurately reflect current offerings. Nonetheless, they highlight the substantial earning potential for senior and lead UX designers with several years of experience.
| Company | Position | Experience in UX | Salary range |
| Senior UX Design, Manager | 10 years | $208,000–$306,000 | |
| Walmart | Staff, UX Designer | 5–10 years | $143,000–$286,000 |
| JPMorgan Chase | UX Design Lead, VP | 5+ years | $133,000–$205,000 |
| Amazon | Sr. UX Designer | 7+ years | $113,000–$211,600 |
Despite the promising figures, it’s crucial to maintain a realistic perspective during your job search. Securing a position in this competitive field can be challenging, even with postings offering attractive salaries.
According to Baigorria, candidates who prioritize soft skills and effective communication, while maintaining a positive attitude towards the job hunt, are more likely to succeed as these qualities translate into confidence.
Furthermore, in a landscape where new technologies like AI continually reshape skill requirements, continuous learning and asking pertinent questions are essential.
“As a designer, it’s essential to always seek ways to enhance your skills and adapt to new software and techniques,” Baigorria advises.
Above all, Baigorria underscores the dynamic nature of UX design. What constitutes best practices in one company or year may evolve rapidly. “The beauty of UX design lies in its perpetual evolution,” she notes. “It’s important to realize that there’s no definitive right answer; we’re all collaborating to find solutions together.”
