As the UX field evolves, specialized UX jobs have risen. Explore roles like UX researcher, UX engineer, UX writer, and information architect.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), web development and digital design roles are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. An 8 percent growth rate is estimated for these jobs between 2023 and 2033 []. If you're interested in pursuing or advancing your user experience (UX) career, read on to learn about a few different disciplines within the field and their respective salaries.
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The following UX career paths might involve design elements, but design won鈥檛 be central to day-to-day work. The salaries listed were sourced from Glassdoor in January 2025.
Average US salary: $100,576
As a UX researcher, you鈥檒l be expected to conduct qualitative and quantitative research on the users of a product. That can mean conducting interviews, distributing surveys, or using card sorting. If the idea of conducting research to see what elements of design people like or find challenging sounds appealing, then UX research may be rewarding for you. UX researchers might also be called user researchers, UX analysts, or usability analysts. Skills often requested of UX researchers include:
User testing methods: Knowing various user test methods will be your prime weapon as a user researcher. Ensure you鈥檙e familiar with methods like card sorting, A/B testing, guerilla testing, and surveys鈥攁nd in what situations they鈥檙e best deployed.
Human-computer interaction or psychology: Many job descriptions for UX researchers call for an academic background in human-computer interaction, psychology, or a related field.
Data analysis: Basic data analysis tools like SQL, or data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI, can help you understand and organize the data you collect from your research.
Average US salary: $144,758
UX engineers, also known as UX developers, code the interfaces of websites and apps using UX principles. They might use front-end programming languages to create buttons, layouts, menus, and small animations that create a pleasant user experience. UX engineer skills include:
Front-end programming languages: As a front-end developer, knowing how to program in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will likely be key to doing your job well.
UX concepts: Job descriptions often ask for an understanding of UX principles, like user-centric thinking, wireframing, prototyping, and user research skills.
Design tools and sensibility: Knowing basic design concepts like color theory and typography and being able to use design tools like Figma or Sketch can show employers your versatility as a UX engineer.
Set aside one month to complete John Hopkins University's HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers Specialization to build a strong foundation in front-end web development and earn credentials for your resume, no previous experience required.
Average US salary: $77, 778
A UX writer creates the microcopy鈥攖he words on buttons and menus, chatbot conversations, and error messages鈥攖hat help a user navigate digital products. They try to balance the user鈥檚 needs, goals, and emotions with limitations like a company鈥檚 brand voice and business needs. Copy writers and technical writers might occupy similar roles in a UX team. A UX writer needs the following skills:
Writing: UX writing goes beyond good grammar and spelling. UX writers must empathize with the user, write concisely, control tone, and stay true to a company鈥檚 brand voice.
Digital design tools: Familiarity with Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Cloud, or other design tools can help UX writers implement their work.
User research: A/B testing, data analysis, and running session recordings can be useful for UX writers to determine how copy affects users.
Average US salary: $193,084
Information architects organize information on websites and applications to make them easily navigable to users. They might plan the layout of a website, decide where it makes most sense to have a purchase button, or develop sitemaps to strategize how best to group content together.
Front-end development: Some familiarity with various elements of front-end development, like static site generators and programming languages, is often requested.
User testing: Information architects can use user testing methods like A/B testing, card sorting, or session recordings to see what formats are most usable for users.
Project management: Because information architects鈥 jobs often see crossover with the UX design and engineering teams, they might be expected to be able to organize a team and see a project through to completion. Project management skills might come in handy here.
If you're new to the field, consider building foundational knowledge of user research and the design process alongside in-demand skills like AI with the Google UX Design Professional Certificate. You'll create a professional portfolio and equip yourself with the UX skills you need to be job-ready in less than six months. You'll also gain access to over 150 hiring organizations through the Google Employer Consortium.
Are you interested in advancing your UX career to a leadership role? You can master Agile project management and get hands-on experience developing an organizational transformation plan in as little as one month through the University of Colorado's Agile Leadership Specialization.
Yes! With the increase in online commerce, companies are prioritizing the optimization of web and mobile experiences for customers. That鈥檚 where UX professionals come in. 鈥
Yes. In fact, UX professionals rank their work-life balance around four out of five, according to Glassdoor insights [,]. This is in addition to increasing demand for UX professionals, positive job outlook, and average salaries around six figures in the US. Also consider that UX as a field is constantly evolving, so it鈥檚 a career in which professionals will always be learning and specializing. 鈥
According to the Nielsen Norman Group鈥檚 UX career report [], UX professionals love the process of the work they do, being able to see the impact they make on others. UX allows professionals to engage both sides of their brain, combining creativity with analysis. They often enjoy cross-functional collaboration within a company and the ability to work remotely. 鈥
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. ", https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm." Accessed January 31, 2025.
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