UX (user experience) researchers play a critical role in understanding users and creating positive experiences for them. But how much do these professionals actually earn? LinkedIn provides some insights into UX researcher salaries. In this article, we’ll look at LinkedIn salary data to answer the question: How much do UX researchers make on LinkedIn?
The Role of a UX Researcher
UX researchers aim to understand user behaviors, needs, and motivations. They utilize various qualitative and quantitative methods to study users and provide insights to guide business and design decisions. Common UX researcher responsibilities include:
- Conducting user interviews and usability studies
- Creating user personas and journey maps
- Performing competitive analysis
- Testing prototypes and designs
- Analyzing data and identifying trends and insights
- Communicating research findings to stakeholders
UX researchers collaborate with various teams like product managers, designers, and engineers to shape the user experience. Their discoveries inform strategic decisions and the design process.
LinkedIn Salary Data for UX Researchers
LinkedIn provides self-reported salary data based on member profiles. This gives us an idea of the earning potential for UX researchers on the platform. However, it’s important to note some caveats:
- The data relies on voluntary disclosure of salaries by members
- There may be some selection bias in who chooses to share pay information
- The data draws from LinkedIn’s over 300 million members, but may not represent the entire job market
- Salaries vary greatly based on factors like location, experience, industry, and company
Keeping those limitations in mind, here’s a look at the LinkedIn salary data for UX researchers in the United States:
Average Base Salary
According to LinkedIn salary data, the average base pay for a UX researcher in the US is $91,496 per year. This is the mean (average) base salary reported on member profiles.
Salary Range
UX researcher salaries on LinkedIn range from approximately $50,000 on the lower end up to $140,000 on the higher end. However, most fall somewhere in between:
- 10th percentile: $59,000
- 25th percentile: $71,000
- 50th percentile (median): $86,000
- 75th percentile: $105,000
- 90th percentile: $123,000
This indicates that the middle 50% of UX researchers on LinkedIn report earning between $71,000 – $105,000 per year. Just 10% earn $123,000 or more, showing the upper range extends significantly higher.
Salary by Experience Level
Not surprisingly, UX researcher salaries trend higher with more years of experience:
| Experience Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-5 years) | $77,000 |
| Mid-Career (5-10 years) | $92,000 |
| Experienced (10-20 years) | $106,000 |
| Late Career (20+ years) | $121,000 |
This demonstrates how salaries tend to progressively increase over the course of a UX research career. Those with over 20 years of experience earn nearly $45,000 more on average than entry level professionals.
Factors Impacting UX Researcher Salaries
While the LinkedIn averages provide a baseline, many factors impact someone’s real-world salary as a UX researcher. Key influences include:
Location
Salaries vary significantly based on where UX researchers live and work. Average pay is highest in major tech hubs like the San Francisco Bay Area where the cost of living is sky-high. According to LinkedIn, average UX researcher salaries exceed $100,000 in cities like San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Los Angeles.
Education
Most UX researchers hold at least a bachelor’s degree, with many possessing master’s degrees in fields like human-computer interaction, cognitive psychology, or information science. Higher levels of education generally correlate to higher earning potential.
Company & Industry
Salaries differ based on the hiring company and industry. UX researchers earn more on average at big tech companies and in high-paying industries like tech, finance, consulting, and aerospace. Lesser-paying sectors include government, non-profits, and academia.
Experience & Skills
More years of professional experience, specialty expertise, and technical skills all enable UX researchers to command higher salaries. Knowledge of particular methods like eye tracking along with data analysis and storytelling abilities are especially valuable.
Job Title & Responsibilities
Salaries vary based on a UX researcher’s specific job title and responsibilities. Lead/principal researcher roles and those with management duties typically pay more than entry level UX research associates.
Negotiating Your Worth as a UX Researcher
Rather than fixating on LinkedIn averages, UX researchers should focus on negotiating the best possible compensation based on their unique value. Here are some tips to earn a great salary:
- Research industry and local pay scales – Check salary sites like Glassdoor and Payscale to get a sense of competitive comps based on skills, experience, and location.
- Calculate your value – Make the case for higher pay based on the value you specifically bring to the role and organization.
- Brush up negotiation skills – Learn tactics for having effective salary discussions. Aim high with confidence.
- Practice discussing pay – Don’t be afraid to transparently discuss compensation during the interview process.
- Consider job perks – Look beyond salary at the total rewards package including benefits, equity, and growth opportunities.
With the right preparation and negotiation approach, UX researchers can earn pay well exceeding the LinkedIn averages.
Conclusion
So how much do UX researchers make on LinkedIn? The average salary is just over $90,000 annually. But pay varies widely based on location, experience, skills, and other factors. Rather than getting fixated on LinkedIn data, aspiring UX researchers should focus on continual skill-building and advocating for their value to earn maximum compensation. With the growing demand for user research, it’s a great time to join this dynamic field.
