UX design is a diverse role, and there are many different types of UX design jobs available to you. Whether you focus on the whole UX design process or specialize in a specific field, this article will take you through different UX design jobs. If you want to become a UX designer, you should decide what type of job you really want.
What is UX design, what do UX professionals do, and how much do UX designers make? This guide will cover these questions and more, so continue reading to learn about the different types of UX design jobs. The designer role is becoming more important, so you should learn technical skills and start your career now.
What Is UX Design?
User experience design, also known as UX design, is the drafting, creation, and maintaining of products and services to provide the best user experience possible. These designers usually work in digital fields, designing websites, mobile apps, and other software. They are sometimes paired with UI designers, who focus on the user interface design sense.
UX designers need to have in-depth knowledge and a wide variety of skills to provide a user-centered design. This means UX designers may have experience as a product designer, a graphic designer, or a computer programmer. As long as they have a solid understanding of digital product design, anyone can become a UX designer.
What Do UX Design Professionals Do?
UX design professionals deal with the entire design process of a product to make it usable and accessible for real users. As a UX designer, you must have an understanding of users’ needs, work with the marketing team and design team, and test your designs with real users. Below are some of the primary functions of a professional UX designer.
- Research and analyze customers. The primary function of UX designers is to research, so a deep understanding of user needs is key. These designers conduct surveys and take note of customer activities.
- Conduct product structure and strategy. After determining the users’ needs, UX designers focus on product design, systematic operation, and the benefits or revenue that it will generate for the company.
- Prototype designs. Another primary function of UX designers is the creation of product prototypes. These mock-up examples help to finalize the design concept and complete the design ideas of the product.
- Coordinate with other developers. The design process for products is not easy, and it often requires help from other developers and programmers. Even with the extra help, UX designers will sometimes find themselves testing designs by running codes or programs.
- Conduct usability testing and iteration. This function is usually the last, and it is vital to creating the best user experience. UX designers test the products with real users to check their efficiency and relevance.
How Much Do UX Design Professionals Make?
According to Glassdoor, UX design professionals make between $81,000 and $165,000 per year. This depends on your location, job responsibilities, education, and previous experience. UX design is one of the best tech jobs you can get, and it is also one of the most profitable.
UX Design Average Salaries
ZipRecruiter reports that the average salary of a UX designer is $98,816 per year. However, this amount will vary based on the employee’s experience level. According to ZipRecruiter, the lowest 25 percent of UX designers earn about $78,500 per year, and the highest 25 percent make about $114,500 per year.
What Is the Job Growth for UX Design?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, UX design jobs are expected to grow by eight percent between 2020 and 2030, which is about the same as average. With the visible growth in the sales of smartphones and electronic gadgets and a greater reliance on technology, it’s no surprise that the UX design field is expanding.
According to LinkedIn’s report on the most in-demand hard and soft skills, UX design was one of the top 10 hard skills in 2020. This means that employers are looking for more user-centric design. If you want to get jobs in user experience design, now is the time to do so. You can help businesses reach their product goals and improve the design thinking process.
The Highest-Paying Types of UX Design Jobs in 2022
- Information Architect | $126,608
- UX Architect | $126,077
- Product Architect | $115,482
- Senior UX Developer | $111,110
- UX Visual Designer | $108,941
- Workflow Developer | $103,107
- Content Architect | $101,200
- Usability Engineer | $95,300
- Digital Solution Architect | $92,707
- UX Consultant | $86,830
Listed above are some of the highest-paying UX design jobs available. It is important to familiarize yourself with the following job descriptions and design roles if you want to make the most of your UX design career. You should decide what type of designer you want to be so you can learn the right skills to thrive.
Information Architect
- Average Salary: $126,608
The primary duty of an information architect is to use HTML, CSS, and graphic design software to generate appealing and user-friendly texts and images, often in digital format. They also create websites, infographics, and web pages that convey information to users.
UX Architect
- Average Salary: $126,077
A UX architect is responsible for making sure that websites or online profiles are designed to satisfy users’ needs and give the best experience possible. They also work with backend programmers, designers, developers, and clients to test the designs before they are officially released for public use.
Product Architect
- Average Salary: $115,482
Product architects organize a product’s functional elements. They manage the process through which these products interact and work. They play significant roles in the design, creation, business goals, and use of these web products, which means they are also vital in UX design.
Senior UX Developer
- Average Salary: $111,110
A senior user experience developer is a leader who works alongside product managers, engineers, and designers to create an intuitive user experience. The senior UX developer must be familiar with how humans think and operate to determine the framework for user experience for a particular product.
UX Visual Designer
- Average Salary: $108,941
Visual design focuses on a site’s aesthetic to create the best user interface. UX visual designers use colors, text, and images to complement an interaction or design. These design skills create a sense of harmony between all elements within a page. Without UX visual design, there would be a negative visual experience for users and a decrease in interaction.
Workflow Developer
- Average Salary: $103,107
A workflow developer implements business on a workflow platform. They aim to create opportunities to work with the latest technologies, improve operational effectiveness, and help create a pleasant user experience. They outline all the steps within the UX process from the research stage until the testing stage before its release.
Content Architect
- Average Salary: $101,200
Some people often refer to a content architect as a content strategist. The primary duty of a content architect is to organize content for a website or application. This can involve anything from podcasts to blog content. Due to the unique variations, content architects are high in demand in the employment market.
Usability Engineer
- Average Salary: $95,300
Usability engineers ensure the testing of designs at various stages by using real-world UX design scenarios. They monitor the functions of the design, find bugs and errors, and offer design solutions. These professionals are also known as quality assurance testers or engineers.
Digital Solution Architect
- Average Salary: $92,707
Digital solution architects are responsible for planning, organizing, designing, and managing digital artifacts, mobile applications, or applications located in the cloud. They provide services, products, and solutions that give directions during the development process. They also work with UX designers to create high-quality digital content.
UX Consultant
- Average Salary: $86,830
A UX consultant is a UX designer that focuses more on business strategy. They carry out the same functions of a UX designer but apply them to business instead. They help provide innovative solutions to increase business productivity, and UX consultants are often needed by larger companies.
UX Design Career Path
There are various steps involved when venturing into UX design. Along with education, you should work on projects and gain experience. Read below to see a detailed list of the steps you can take to kickstart your career.
- Learn and research. You can start by reading up on UX design online, watching UX videos, purchasing introductory books, and communicating with people in the field. Researching the job requirements of UX design will help you determine if this is the right career path for you.
- Structure your learning. Develop a strong understanding of what UX design entails by enrolling in a credible UX course. You can find recommendations for the top university-backed UX design bootcamps to consider as well as online courses that are affordable or even free.
- Start building your portfolio. Most UX design courses have challenges and exercises, so you should practice and build up a professional portfolio. You can also volunteer to work as a designer at non-profit organizations or charities. This will help to give you an edge when seeking employment.
- Network with other designers. Never downplay the power of a solid industry network. Start making connections by reaching out to seasoned designers on LinkedIn, joining dedicated Slack channels, and finding communities in your area. This will broaden your knowledge in the field and create job opportunities for you.
- Embrace the interview process. After completing your learning and portfolio, it’s time for the job search. Make sure to check the designer job description and research the job you are applying for. You might not get a job immediately, but each interview will give you vital experience for the next one.
Should You Become a UX Design Professional?
Yes, if you are passionate about technology, eager to learn new skills, and looking for a creative position, then you should become a UX designer. The job market is growing, and you may already have some of the skills to start your journey as a UX designer. Try one of the best web design bootcamps or UX design bootcamps to learn more and get started in the field.
Types of UX Design Careers FAQ
Yes, it is possible to self-learn UX design. With the necessary materials and resources, you can purchase credible courses online or enroll in design programs.
No, UX designers don’t need to code. However, while you don’t need a deep knowledge of coding, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the basics of coding to better understand the design process and expand your job opportunities.
No, you do not need a degree to be a UX designer. Having a degree can improve your chances of finding a job, but it is not a formal requirement.
Yes, this is a great time to become a UX designer. There are plenty of job opportunities available as technology changes and advances. With the ability to self-learn UX design or enroll in a bootcamp, you can change your career and upskill at your convenience.
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