UX Researcher Salary: What You’ll Make and Why

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a UX researcher in the UK is £41,000 to £72,000, depending on experience, location, skills, and other factors [1].

A user experience (UX) researcher is a type of data scientist who helps businesses assess how end-users engage with their products and services. A UX researcher gathers and analyses consumer data to uncover insights about user behaviours, preferences, and pain points. This analysis helps identify effective user experience aspects while highlighting areas that need improvement.

According to Glassdoor and Indeed, the average salary for a UX researcher in the UK is £54,275, and £50,848, respectively [1, 2]. Both average salaries are as of November 2024. 

Remember that salary aggregate websites often rely on data submitted by individuals using the site. Some websites may have received larger amounts of higher—or lower-than-average salaries, which can affect the site’s calculated average.

Experience and titles

Salary increases are generally tied to your experience level and, subsequently, your title. For example, an associate UX researcher—”associate” being an indicator for an early-career position—typically earns less than a mid- or senior-level UX researcher. The more experience you gain, the more likely you’ll be trusted with responsibilities, opening a path to promotions and salary increases.

Location

Living expenses vary, with some cities more costly than others. Companies located in expensive areas can offer salaries that reflect the discrepancy to compensate for the increased cost of living and attract top talent. 

According to Glassdoor, below is a sampling of what you might make in various big and medium-sized cities in the UK.

• London: £47,131 [3]

• Edinburgh: £46,349 [4]

• Manchester: £54,504 [5]

• Leeds: £70,885 [6]

Benefits, perks, and bonuses

The salary you receive may be the primary form of compensation in the field of UX. However, be sure to explore additional benefits that come with the role. The most common benefits include:

• Cash bonus

• Paid time off

• Pension plans

• Private health insurance

• Additional insurance (dental, vision) 

It’s a good idea to consider this when offered a job. Sometimes, a salary that isn’t high can be offset by a benefits package that can save you money on your commute or perks that allow you to live the lifestyle you want. If you’re trying to negotiate a higher salary but haven’t been successful, you might be able to negotiate an expanded benefits package.

Some companies can also offer bonuses at various points in the year. These can be based on individual, team, or company-wide performance. Though it’s tricky to predict beforehand, you can ask a hiring manager if giving out bonuses is typical of a company.

How does this compare to similar jobs? 

UX research is one of many types of UX jobs. The list below reveals how the UX researcher position compares, salary-wise, to popular roles within the UX field.

• Human factors researcher: £40,164 [7]

• Product researcher: £31,051 [8]

• UX writer: £46,486 [9]

• UX designer: £47,887 [10]

• UI designer:  £45,597 [11]

• UX engineer: £55,597 [12]

How to increase your salary as a UX researcher

Looking for a way to boost your salary? The following tips can lead you in the right direction:

• Expand your skills: UX researchers have several ways to test a product’s viability. Expanding the tools you know how to use can improve your company’s insight into its customers and its products. A/B testing, card sorting, tree sorting, constructing user personas, conducting user interviews, and analytics research are some tools a UX researcher can use. If you see gaps in your company’s current research methods, you might approach your manager to see if you could spearhead an effort to fill them. 

• Ask for a raise: Research industry salary standards to understand what is reasonable to expect based on your role, experience, and the specific responsibilities you handle. When approaching your boss, talk about past performance reviews and bring some data on how your company has benefited from your work. 

• Go back to school: While you might become a UX researcher without formal educational experience, preparing in school can give you an advantage in pursuing this career. Degrees that best apply to the skills of a UX researcher include computing science, development, web design, and research methods. Beyond your degree, going to uni is also a positive because of the networking opportunities. Talking with individuals who hold similar roles and have experience in this field will allow you to see the workplace and technical skills necessary to succeed as a UX researcher. 

Begin your UX researcher career on Coursera

UX researchers work alongside designers and company stakeholders to evaluate user experience effectiveness. Consider the Google UX Design Professional Certificate if you are exploring the UX world. Besides introducing you to various foundational UX design tools and methods, the coursework will teach you how to plan a UX research study and apply your findings to modify designs.