UX Designer Salary in USA 2025
Product design, user experience, and company comparison
Average UX Designer Salary
How Much Do UX Designers Earn in 2025?
UX designers are user experience professionals who research, design, and optimize digital products to ensure intuitive, accessible, and satisfying user interactions. They blend psychology, design, and technology to create products people love to use.
2025 UX designer salaries are strong: average $98,859–$124,415, with entry-level starting at $78,961 and senior UX managers earning $171,884. UX designers earn significantly more than average workers: UX average $124,415 versus national average $53,490—2.3x higher.
Major tech companies pay premium rates: FAANG companies (Meta, Google, Apple, Amazon, Netflix) offer $150,000–$250,000 for leading UX designers. UX is one of the most reliable paths to $100K+ careers. For comparison, see our graphic designer salary guide and the average salary in the US.
UX Designer Salary by Experience Level
Experience dramatically impacts UX designer compensation:
| Experience Level | Average Annual Salary | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Junior (0–2 years) | $78,961 | Learning, wireframes, user research support |
| Mid-level (3–5 years) | $98,859–$124,415 | Independent projects, design leadership |
| Senior (6+ years) | $129,828 | Strategic design, complex systems, mentoring |
| Senior Manager | $171,884 | Team leadership, design strategy |
| Lead/Principal (FAANG) | $150,000–$250,000 | Strategic vision, high-impact products |
Junior UX Designer (0–2 Years)
Salary: $78,961
Focus: Learning fundamentals, conducting user research, creating wireframes, working under supervision. Building portfolio and developing core UX skills.
Mid-Level UX Designer (3–5 Years)
Salary: $98,859–$124,415 (US average $120,760, global average $100,000)
Focus: Independent project ownership, leading design processes, mentoring juniors, stakeholder management.
Senior UX Designer (6+ Years)
Salary: $129,828
Focus: Strategic design decisions, complex product design, cross-functional leadership, design systems.
Senior UX Design Manager
Salary: $171,884
Focus: Team leadership, design systems, organizational UX strategy, hiring and development.
Lead/Principal UX Designer (FAANG)
Salary: $150,000–$250,000
Companies: Meta, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon
Focus: Strategic vision, high-impact products, design leadership at scale.
UX Designer vs. Product Designer vs. UI Designer Salary
Related design roles have different compensation levels:
| Design Role | Average Salary | Experience Range | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| UX Designer | $98,859–$124,415 | $78,961–$171,884 | User experience, research, interaction |
| Product Designer | $81,157–$95,991 | $84,993–$102,536 | End-to-end product, business alignment |
| UI Designer | $55,000–$70,000 | Entry to senior | Visual design, interface aesthetics |
| UX Researcher | $95,000–$120,000 | Varies | Research, testing, insights |
UX Designer
Average: $98,859–$124,415 (US: $120,760)
Focus: User research, information architecture, interaction design, usability testing
UX designers own the complete user experience, from research to design to testing.
Product Designer
Average: $81,157–$95,991 (base), plus ~$14,834 additional compensation
By experience: Junior $84,993, Mid-level $95,298, Senior $102,536
Focus: End-to-end product design, business strategy alignment, design + product thinking
Product designers blend UX with product strategy, often with broader business responsibility.
UI Designer
Average: $55,000–$70,000
Focus: Visual design, interface aesthetics, design systems, branding consistency
UI designers generally earn 20–40% less than UX designers due to narrower scope focused on visual elements.
UX Researcher
Average: $95,000–$120,000
Focus: User research, usability testing, data analysis, insights generation
Comparable to UX designer compensation, with research-specific expertise.
UX Designer Salary by Industry
Industry dramatically affects UX designer compensation:
| Industry | Mid-Level Salary Range | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Tech/Software (FAANG) | $150,000–$250,000 | Highest pay, design-led culture |
| Tech/Software (general) | $100,000–$150,000 | Strong pay, product focus |
| Finance/Fintech | $90,000–$130,000 | Complex products, security |
| E-commerce | $85,000–$105,000 | Revenue impact, conversion optimization |
| Healthcare/Medtech | $85,000–$120,000 | Accessibility, compliance |
| Agencies | $75,000–$110,000 | Diverse projects, lower pay |
Tech/Software Companies
FAANG: $150,000–$250,000 for senior/lead roles. Design-led tech companies pay the highest salaries because design directly impacts user engagement and revenue.
General tech: $100,000–$150,000. Strong compensation with product-focused culture.
E-Commerce
Range: $85,000–$105,000
UX directly affects revenue through improved conversion rates, checkout optimization, and reduced friction.
Finance/Fintech
Range: $90,000–$130,000
Complex financial products require strong UX for security, compliance, and trust-building.
Agencies/Consultancies
Range: $75,000–$110,000
Often pay less than in-house tech roles but offer broader experience across diverse client projects.
UX Designer Salary by Location
Geographic location significantly impacts UX compensation:
| Location | Average UX Designer Salary | Premium vs Global Avg |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $120,760 | +21% |
| Germany | $89,972 (€84,530) | -10% |
| Australia | $86,308 (AUD $128,711) | -13% |
| UK | $75,000–$105,000 (£60K–£85K) | -15% to -5% |
| Global Average | $100,000 | Baseline |
United States
Average $120,760—highest globally, 21% above global average. Top metros (SF Bay Area, Seattle, NYC, LA) pay 30–50% above national average.
Within the US
Highest-paying: San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles
Remote work: Many UX roles are remote-friendly, enabling geographic arbitrage.
What UX Designers Do: Role and Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
Conducting user research, creating personas, designing wireframes and prototypes, performing usability testing, collaborating with developers and product managers, and iterating based on feedback.
Common Deliverables
User flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, usability test reports, design systems, journey maps, and personas.
Essential Tools
Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, Axure, UserTesting, Hotjar, Maze, and various research tools.
Key Skills
User research, information architecture, interaction design, prototyping, visual communication, empathy, and data analysis.
Job Outlook and Career Growth
Excellent Outlook
Research by McKinsey shows design-led companies have higher revenue and better performance, driving sustained demand for UX talent. Every company becoming a digital company increases UX hiring across all industries.
Career Progression
Junior UX Designer → Mid-level UX Designer → Senior UX Designer → Lead UX Designer → UX Design Manager → Director of UX → VP of Design
Alternative Paths
UX designers can also transition into: Product Management, UX Research (specialization), Design Systems, and UX Strategy/Consulting.
How to Increase Your UX Designer Salary
Gain Experience
Senior UX designers earn $129,828 versus $78,961 for juniors—a 64% increase.
Target Top Tech Companies
FAANG pays $150K–$250K versus $85K–$105K elsewhere. Big tech premium is significant.
Specialize in High-Value Areas
Product design, design systems, and UX research for complex products command premiums.
Move to High-Paying Locations
US pays 21% more than global average. SF, Seattle, NYC pay highest within US.
Progress to Management
UX Design Managers earn $171,884—significantly above individual contributor senior roles.
Build Strong Portfolio
Portfolio quality matters more than credentials in UX hiring. Showcase diverse, impactful projects.
Learn Complementary Skills
Front-end code (HTML/CSS), analytics, and product strategy add value and compensation potential.
See our salary negotiation guide for strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average UX designer salary in 2025?
UX designers average $98,859–$124,415, with US average at $120,760. Junior UX designers earn $78,961, mid-level $98,859–$124,415, senior $129,828, and managers $171,884. FAANG companies pay $150,000–$250,000.
Do UX designers make more than UI designers?
Yes, significantly. UX designers earn $98,859–$124,415 versus $55,000–$70,000 for UI designers—40–60% more. The broader scope of UX (research, strategy, interaction) commands higher compensation than visual/interface design alone.
How much do junior UX designers make?
Junior UX designers (0–2 years experience) earn approximately $78,961 on average. This is still well above the national average salary and provides a strong foundation for career growth.
Which companies pay UX designers the most?
FAANG companies (Meta, Google, Apple, Amazon, Netflix) and major tech firms pay $150,000–$250,000 for lead/principal UX designers. General tech companies pay $100,000–$150,000 for mid-level roles.
Is UX design a good career in 2025?
Yes, excellent. UX designers earn 2.3x the national average salary, with strong job outlook driven by digital transformation. Design-led companies outperform competitors, creating sustained demand for UX talent across all industries.