If you’re in user interface (UI) or user experience (UX) design, you know that UX and UI aren’t just about creating interfaces that are pleasing to the eye — it’s really about creating digital products and experiences that leave a lasting impact!
And as the demand for websites and apps and intuitive and user-friendly design grows, so do opportunities for UI/UX designers in every stage of their career. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to step up into a leadership role, knowing what you’re worth and how to boost your earning potential is a great thing to know.
Which is why today’s blog is here with a helpful guide.
Today, we’re breaking down the salaries of UX and UI designers — from entry-level roles to Creative Directors — and sharing some insider insight into what affects pay and how to advance your creative career.
So, if you’re a designer looking to plan your next move, then consider this blog your roadmap to earning more and advancing yourself in the evolving world of UI/UX design!
Let’s get started!
What Affects UI/UX Designer Salaries?
First off, a UI/UX designer salary can vary widely, even at the same experience level.
This is why understanding the factors that could influence your salary is a great place to start when navigating your career path.
Here are some things to consider:
- Experience Level — As with most roles, experience is a major driver of salary. Junior designers typically earn less as they learn and grow, while mid-level, senior, and leadership roles have the experience to command a significantly higher pay grade.
- Location — Salaries tend to differ depending on where you live or work. Major tech hubs like New York, San Francisco, and London usually offer higher salaries, while remote roles may depend on company location or other factors.
- Industry — Not all industries pay equally. UI/UX designers working in tech, fintech, healthcare, or eCommerce can expect to earn more than those who work in nonprofits, education, or smaller businesses.
- Skill Set — Designers with expertise in UX and UI design tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, along with specialized skills like UX research, prototyping, or AR/VR design, have a higher earning potential.
- Portfolio Quality — A strong portfolio showcasing a designer’s best, results-driven projects can help when negotiating for higher salaries. Employers want to see how your designs solve problems and deliver value.
- Company Size — Startups may offer lower salaries but more growth opportunities or equity, while larger corporations tend to provide more competitive salary packages and benefits.
- Specializations — Designers who specialize in niche areas like accessibility design, micro-interactions, or AI-driven personalization are in high demand, which can often lead to higher pay.
UI/UX Designer Salaries by Experience Level
Keeping those considerations in mind, let’s now explore the kind of salary (in the United States) you can command at each stage of your UI/UX design career.
Entry-Level UI/UX Designer (0–2 Years Experience)
Average Annual Salary: $40,000–$70,000
Designers at this level are just beginning in their careers and often work under senior team members to learn the ropes and gain experience.
Typical job duties at this level will include creating basic wireframes, assisting with wireframing prototypes, and handling smaller parts of larger projects.
Entry-level designers can usually find work at design agencies, tech startups, or as a part of in-house teams at companies across a variety of industries. Wherever you work, you’ll be expected to have a basic understanding of common tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD and foundational knowledge of user-centered design principles.
Career Tips for Entry-Level Designers
- Build a portfolio that highlights school projects, internships, or personal work to show off your budding skills.
- Ask for feedback from your mentors or peers! This helps you learn and gives you a fresh perspective on your work. It’s a great way to grow and build stronger skills over time.
- Learn new tools and techniques by staying updated with online tutorials or courses.
Mid-Level UI/UX Designer (2–5 Years Experience)
Average Annual Salary: $70,000–$95,000
Mid-level UI/UX designers tend to be more independent than entry-level designers, taking on full design projects and working closely with folks in other roles like product managers and developers.
At this level, you can find work for companies in tech, eCommerce, healthcare, or fintech industries and you’ll find more doors opening up for applicants with your skill level. Whatever role you take on, mid-level designers often play a role in organizing information architecture (IA) to create intuitive navigation and user flows. You’ll also be expected to have more advanced proficiency in visual design tools, experience with responsive design, and the ability to conduct user research on your own.
Career Tips for Mid-Level Designers
- Work on improving areas like UX research, creating prototypes, and understanding analytics to round out your abilities.
- Try tackling leadership roles for smaller projects or helping junior designers as a mentor to build your confidence and leadership experience.
- Check out local design events, meetups, or conferences to connect with other designers and learn from their experiences.
Senior UI/UX Designer (5–8 Years Experience)
Average Annual Salary: $95,000–$120,000
By the time a UI/UX designer gets to the senior level, they find themselves with a lot more autonomy, leading major projects and working closely with stakeholders on design strategies and business goals.
As a senior-level designer, you can reliably find a role at a larger tech company, at a design consultancy, or even an innovative startup. Senior-level UI/UX designers are often involved in interaction design and making sure that every element of the user experience is intuitive, functional, and enjoyable to use.
They should have the skill set necessary to problem-solve their projects, conduct user research, and create more intricate and scalable design systems. At this level, you’ll often act as a mentor for your junior and mid-level team members as well.
Career Tips for Senior-Level Designers
- Share your knowledge by speaking at events or writing for industry blogs to showcase your expertise and build up your reputation.
- Ask for a salary and benefits that match your skills and the leadership you bring to the team.
- Keep learning by exploring new trends like AI or AR/VR design to stay competitive and expand your skill set.
UI/UX Team Lead (8–10 Years Experience)
Average Annual Salary: $120,000–$140,000
When a UI/UX designer has this many years of experience, it’s not uncommon to see them step into a leadership role!
Team leads often have a say in product development and oversee entire design teams, set the creative direction of projects, and keep everything running smoothly to meet goals.
Team lead roles are common at mid-to-large-sized organizations or agencies, and job duties usually include things like managing resources, collaborating with senior management, and acting as a mentor for the design team.
Skills like project management, communication, and strategic thinking are crucial for any UI/UX designer wanting to fill this role.
Career Tips for Team Leads
- Work on building strong relationships with your team and giving helpful, constructive feedback to support their growth.
- Stay involved in the design process to keep your skills sharp and make sure you don’t lose touch with the hands-on work that got you here.
- Align your team’s design work with the company’s goals to show your value as a leader who drives both creativity and results.
Creative Director (10+ Years Experience)
Average Annual Salary: $140,000–$180,000+
Creative Directors are at the top of the design hierarchy and are responsible for the overall creative vision of an organization or a brand.
Places that need someone in this role are in industries like advertising, tech, or eCommerce, and job duties typically include overseeing different teams, keeping projects consistent with brand identity, and managing the budgets and timelines for product development or large-scale projects.
To be a Creative Director, you’ll need strong leadership skills, strategic thinking, and expertise in multiple design disciplines.
Career Tips for Creative Directors
- Build up your reputation by writing articles, giving talks, or mentoring others in the design community.
- Avoid micromanaging! Concentrate on the big-picture strategies and trust your team to handle the details and bring your vision to life.
- Strengthen your understanding of business management so you’re better equipped to balance creative leadership with overall company goals.
How to Increase Your Earning Potential as a UI/UX Designer
So, now that you know about where you stand salary-wise, is there room for improvement?
Always.
Here are some things you can do to refine your skills, build up a strong reputation, stay ahead of industry trends, and level up your earning potential.
- Keep Learning — There’s always something new to learn! Take a deeper dive into tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, and try your hand at specialized skills like motion design, prototyping, UX research, or AR/VR design.
- Showcase Your Work — Create a portfolio that highlights your very best projects, focusing on case studies that show how your design skills solve problems and deliver real results.
- Explore New Tech — Stay ahead by learning about trends like AI-driven personalization, micro-interactions, and accessibility design, which are becoming more and more important in the industry.
- Find Your Niche — If you can find an area to specialize in, like mobile app UI, SaaS design, or fintech, you can make yourself more marketable to roles that require it. These fields are in demand and often come with higher salaries.
- Earn Certifications — Add to your cred with certifications in UX design, research, or product management.
- Learn to Lead — Prepare for senior roles by building project management, team leadership, and communication skills.
- Grow Your Network — Join design communities, attend events, and connect with other professionals on platforms like Dribble, Behance, or LinkedIn.
- Try Freelancing — Take on freelance projects or consulting work to broaden your experience (and earn some extra income).
<div class="c-blog_comp-cta cc-component-2"><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-left"><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-left-wrap"><img src="https://global-uploads.webflow.com/61cdf3c5e0b8155f19e0105b/63695243d096983691046ac3_Potential-Creative.png" loading="lazy" alt="" class="c-blog_comp-cta-left-img"></div></div><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-right cc-dark"><div class="c-blog_comp-content"><div class="c-text-wrapper cc-mb-32"><div class="c-title-4 cc-bold"><strong>Like to work as a freelancer with consistent income?</strong></div></div><div class="c-text-wrapper"><div class="c-text-2">Designity's collaborative model is designed to give you all of the perks of being a freelancer without the income instability.<br></div></div></div><div class="c-blog_comp-wrapper"><a href="http://designity.com/creatives" target="_blank" class="c-button w-button"><strong>Join Our Creative Community</strong></a></div></div></div>
Looking to Take Your UI/UX Career to the Next Level?
No matter where you are in your UI/UX career, if you’re looking for a place to grow, expand your skills, or step into a leadership role, we have one more suggestion before you go.
Why not join the Designity community?
Designity is made up of the top 3% of all the talented creatives who apply each year, meaning our creative community consists of the best of the best and we’re always looking for fresh, new talent to join us!
So, if you’re ready to level up and enjoy perks like:
- Competitive pay
- A consistent workload
- Flexible hours
- Plenty of growth opportunities
- A 100% remote environment
- Working on a variety of projects in a variety of different industries
- The opportunity to work with and learn from the best
… then we’d love to have you!
Entry-level, mid-level, or creative leader; wherever you fall on the ladder, why not put your skills to the test and fill out our one-of-a-kind application to see where Designity can take you?
Are you ready to take the next step in your UI/UX career?
