AUTHOR

PUBLISHED ON

06 Dec 2023

A Guide to UI Designer Salaries for 2024

AUTHOR

PUBLISHED ON

06 Dec 2023

Find out what you can expect to earn as a UI designer, which industries offer the highest-paid positions, and how to land a job in this user-centric and creative role

Whether you’re a UI designer looking to take your next step up the career ladder, or you’re new to the field of UI design and considering launching a brand new career in this exciting and creative space, knowing how much you can expect to earn is a hugely important consideration.

In this guide to UI designer salaries, we’re going to run through the average salaries of such designers across the globe and dig into the industries that pay them the highest salaries. We’ll also be guiding you through how to manage a successful salary negotiation, highlight related roles, and finish up with a step-by-step guide to landing your first job in this in-demand field.

Contents:

UI design job market and demand
What is the current demand for UI designers in India?
UI designer salaries around the world, from junior to senior
Industries with the highest UI designer salaries
Factors that can impact a UI designer’s salary
How to handle your UI designer salary negotiation
Different roles within the UI design space
How to land a job in UI design
Conclusion

Are you ready to find out more? Then, let’s get started.

1. UI design job market and demand

For those interested in launching a career as a UI designer, having a comprehensive understanding of the job market is an important part of the research. Due to the relative newness of the profession, it’s not easy to put an exact figure on how many job openings there are each year in the field. However, there is a great deal of evidence to suggest that the role of the UI designer is a consistently in-demand profession worldwide.

Professional networking site, LinkedIn, reported back in 2021 that UI designers were among the top 15 most in-demand professionals, an industry trend that is only likely to continue as individuals and organizations rely evermore on digital products and services both in professional and personal capacities. In terms of job vacancies, in the UK right now, Indeed.com is advertising around 500 UI designer job postings, while in the United States, there are currently around 1,500 job postings for UI designers.

2. What is the current demand for UI designers in India?

Thanks to the adoption of new technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality, the UX UI design market in India is expected to reach $9 billion by 2025, with a growth rate of 20%. In addition, India takes the 20th spot among the top 100 countries ranked in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2021, indicating that the country is fertile land for startups. With these tech-oriented businesses putting UX and UI design methodologies at the core of their strategies, demand from these companies for those with UI design skills has exploded. This is further demonstrated by the fact that a number of current roles for UI UX designers in the country has reached a staggering one million this year.

For UI designers this is great news; demand for UI design skills in India is high and, with technology developing at its current rate, is only likely to remain so. For those thinking about starting a career in this creative and rewarding field now, there could not be better timing.

3. UI designer salaries around the world- from junior to senior

The level of expertise a UI designer has will strongly influence the salary they can expect to be offered. Let’s take a look at average salaries for entry-level, mid-level, and senior UI designers around the world.

	Entry-level UI designer	Mid-level UI designer	Senior UI designer
Brazil	R$24K - R$84K	R$36K - R$84K	R$204K - R$264K
Canada	$81,266	$117,753	$122,343
China	CN¥60K - CN¥132K	CN¥312K - CN¥396K	CN¥2772K
France	€37K - €54K	€41K - €52K	€42K - €55K
Germany	€45K - €60K	€49K - €59K	€53K - €90K
India	₹4L	₹6L	₹8L
South Africa	R 30 000	R 43 329	R 390 000
United Kingdom	£35,037	£45,000	£65,000
United States	$84,942	$105,155	$144,811

Sources: Glassdoor and Talent.com

UX developer and UI designer brainstorming about a mobile app interface

4. Industries with the highest UI designer salaries

Salaries for UI designers vary depending on the sector they choose to work in. In this section, we’ve compiled all the information you need about which sectors pay UI designers the highest salaries as well as the tasks and responsibilities typically asked of the role in these specific industries.

i. Technology and software development

In technology and software development, UI designers work closely with UX designers and other members of the design team to create visually appealing and user-centred interfaces that enhance the overall user experience. They do this by researching user needs and behaviour, implementing intuitive navigation and elements, iterating on designs, and creating an aesthetically coherent and logical interface that users feel familiar with. They also test their designs extensively to ensure that a product or service meets users’ needs in a seamless and enjoyable way. While factors such as experience, location, company size, and skillset impact a UI designer’s salary in the software and technology industry, a mid-level UI designer in this sector earns an average salary in the range of $70,000 and $100,000 per year.

ii. Finance and banking

With the increasing implementation of digital interfaces in financial products and services, UI designers have acquired an important role in the banking and finance sector thanks to their ability to create and facilitate efficient and user-centred interactions. In this industry, the UI designer is responsible for designing intuitive and aesthetically appealing interfaces for banking applications, online platforms, or financial tools. Salaries will vary depending on the type and size of the financial company the UI designer is working for, but in the US the average yearly salary for the role in this industry is $92,000.

iii. E-commerce

In e-commerce, the UI designer plays a pivotal role. In collaboration with the UX design team, the UI designer works to create a visually engaging and user-centred online shopping environment which encourages sales, user loyalty, repeat purchases, and customer recommendations. They achieve this by designing intuitive layouts and compelling icons, prioritizing the creation of an optimal user experience across all devices. Designing a clear and seamless navigation system throughout a platform is key here; as is minimizing friction, refining the checkout process, and driving customer conversions. In the US, UX and UI designers who work in e-commerce can expect to earn between $85,000 and $105,000 per year.

iv. Healthcare and Biotech

In the healthcare and biotech industry, the UI designer’s role focuses on assisting healthcare professionals to access and understand complex medical data, as well as support patients as they navigate their health information. The UI designer does this by crafting intuitive user interfaces for websites, apps, and medical equipment which ensure the privacy and protection of patient data. Average salaries of UX and UI designers in the healthcare sector in the US are currently around $106,224 a year.

v. Gaming and Entertainment

With the goal of enhancing the overall gaming experience, the UI designer in the gaming and entertainment industry seeks to create experiences which immerse the user in the game, build seamless interactions, and boost the visual appeal of the gaming interface. Focusing on interactive elements, intuitive menus, and compelling visual effects, the UI designer ensures that the gamer’s interactions with the interface complement and contribute to the game’s storytelling and established aesthetic. UI designers in the gaming industry can command high salaries, with pay for such roles in this field in the US averaging $149,118 a year.

5. Factors that can impact a UI designer’s salary

As we’ve already seen from the table above, different factors such as experience and location can heavily impact the salary a UI designer will be offered. Let’s take a look in a bit more detail about how salary levels are determined and what you can do to ensure the salary you are being offered is fair.

i. Experience level

When calculating the rate of pay you can ask for in a UI designer job interview, it’s important to consider the number of years of role-relevant experience you've got to offer. This will heavily influence a potential employer’s decision regarding whether they wish to hire you and what salary they might offer. A less experienced UI designer may take longer to complete tasks or even require additional training, while a more experienced UI designer will be able to jump straight in and contribute from the get-go. The more experience you’ve got and the more relevant that experience is to the role being advertised, the higher you can expect the salary offer to be.

ii. Location

Your location is another factor that will influence your salary. This is because the cost of living–food prices, transport costs, house prices, and rent–changes from country to country and city to city, directly influencing average salaries in a particular area. For this reason, it’s really important that, when applying for UI design positions, you research the area you might need to relocate to and ensure that the salary you are being offered matches average salaries in said area, lines up with average UI designer salaries for someone of your experience, and ensures you can retain your current standard of living.

iii. Qualifications and training

Your education, training, and qualifications in UI design are other important elements to take into account when calculating your potential salary in the field. Those who can demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and training with a course certificate or portfolio of projects hold considerably more sway with employers than those without official recognition of their abilities. Additionally, undertaking a formalized course of learning in UI design demonstrates your commitment to your career choice, your desire to build on your skills, and an attitude of self-improvement and continuous learning–all of which are held in high esteem by employers.

6. How to handle your UI designer salary negotiation

UI designer negotiating a salary during the interview.

Want to know how to get the best salary for your experience level? Here are our tips.

i. Align your salary request with the market

Your starting point for a salary negotiation should always be thorough research. Dig into the statistics regarding what UI designers of your level currently earn in your area and compare it to your current salary. By using different up-to-date sources to back up your research, you are in a strong position to start your negotiation. Remember: hard facts will be far more compelling than simply asking your employer for what you think you should be earning or comparing your salary to what you’ve earned in the past.
Additionally, don’t forget to mention any job-relevant training or education you’ve completed since starting in the present role. Your employer may not be aware that you’ve been improving your skills and this could very well influence the success of the salary negotiation.

ii. Be specific

Studies have shown that those who enter into salary negotiations with a very specific figure in mind are more likely to be successful than those who don’t. This is because candidates with precise salary requests appear to employers and recruiters to be better informed than those who pluck a number out of thin air. Requesting an exact amount also means that the employer only needs to make small adjustments when they produce their counter-offer, rather than start their research from scratch, which saves them time, too.

7. Different roles within the UI design space

UI design is a field connected with numerous others in the design space, with collaboration and communication being key skills required for the role. If you’re interested to know which professionals you might be working with as a UI designer, read on. From the UX designer to the front-end developer, each of these collaborators has a crucial part to play in the UI design process.

i. UX designer

The UX designer, or user experience designer, is the professional within the design team responsible for designing, crafting, and enhancing the overall user experience of a product or service. They do this by employing usability, design thinking, user research, and accessibility best practices and placing UX design principles at the center of their work. Employing the UX design process, which includes extensive user research, iterative wireframing, high-fidelity prototyping, and rounds of testing, the overall objective of the UX designer is to align the needs and goals of the user with those of the business in a seamless and intuitive fashion.

ii. Interaction designer

With a focus on the touchpoints and interaction opportunities found within a digital product, the interaction designer seeks to define how users interact and engage with an interface, ensuring an intuitive, responsive, and satisfying experience. Considering factors such as user flows and feedback mechanisms, the interaction designer builds wireframes and prototypes of a design that enables the user to reach their goals and experience meaningful interactions.

iii. Front-end developer

Responsible for programming the visual and interactive elements of a website or app, the front-end developer uses programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to bring the designs created by UX and UI designers to life. The role involves ensuring that the digital interface is responsive and accessible to all users as well as fully integrated with back-end systems.

iv. Visual designer

The visual designer is primarily responsible for the creation of a consistent and aesthetically appealing identity for a brand. Working closely with UX and UI designers as well as marketers and content creators, they seek to create designs that are accessible across different mediums and communicate a clear and coherent message. They do this using logos, layouts, and images that mirror the overall design strategy of the business.

8. How to land a job in UI design

If you’re curious about how to launch a career in UI design, then check out these simple steps that will help you build the skills, knowledge, and experience you need to impress employers and land your first position.

i. Do your research

Your first step in launching a career in UI design is by digging into the research. You’ll want to gain a basic understanding of what the role of the UI designer involves and the principles of the practice. Fortunately, there’s lots of information out there for budding UI designers to get their teeth into. We’ve provided some of our favourite resources here.

Blogs

Blogs are a great free resource for learning about the UI design industry, its best practices, and its principles. Written by experts in the field and packed with information and advice, we recommend taking a look at the following blogs and checking back in with them regularly to stay ahead of industry news, tools, and trends.

Podcasts

Podcasts are another free resource that you can make the most of while researching the field of UI design. Typically hosted by passionate UI designers, these podcasts are a platform for discussions about topical themes in the field, the latest tools and software, and interviews with influential UI design figures. Be sure to add the following podcasts to your listening rotation.

Books

Books on UI design offer the perfect opportunity to go a bit deeper into the theory behind UI design practice. Packed with valuable insights and industry-altering research, we’d strongly recommend you invest in some of these UI design reads.

ii. Take a course

Once you’ve got an understanding of the basics of UI design, you’re ready to start a more formalized course of learning. A professional UI design course will cement the knowledge you’ve gathered and help you to build upon it, all under the guidance of experienced teachers. A UI design course is also a great opportunity to practice using current tools of the trade, ask questions of experts, complete hands-on projects, and put together a portfolio of your UI design project work.

Many courses also help students with job applications and interview preparation, with some offering a money-back guarantee for those who do not land a job in the field within a specific timeframe. Finally, a certificate of completion from a course is a valuable asset in the job market; it demonstrates a student’s commitment to their chosen career, a positive attitude towards learning, and showcases a certain level of skill, knowledge, and expertise.

When looking at courses you’ll want to consider the following factors:

Your budget
Flexibility of study options (ie, part-time or full-time, online or offline)
If the course offers mentorship and level of expertise of teachers and mentors
The course content and the career you have in mind/what you want to learn
If the course offers job application support
If the course offers a job guarantee
If portfolio creation is included
If the course offers a certificate
If the course supports a student community or networking opportunities

iii. Create a portfolio

As a UI designer, your portfolio is a public showcase of your work. It’s a place where you can outline your skills and experience, discuss your process, share your key insights and learnings, demonstrate your projects, and show potential employers and recruiters why you’re a great fit for a role. Many UI design courses will support you in the creation of your professional portfolio, usually under the guidance of a teacher or mentor. While these projects will make up the core of your portfolio’s content, don’t forget to include any “extracurricular” work that you’ve undertaken too- from volunteering and freelance gigs, to design projects for friends or family.

iv. Gain some experience

While you’re still learning, don’t be afraid to take the skills you’ve onboarded and apply them to real-life projects in order to gain some hands-on experience. You might decide to design your own website or redesign a well-known app, documenting your process as you go. Another way to build up experience is to apply for work experience or an internship within a company’s design team or at a design agency. You might also consider offering your skills free of charge to a charity or local organization whose digital interface could do with a makeover.

v. Start your job search

With a polished portfolio in hand and some work experience under your belt, you’re now in a strong position to start applying for a junior-level UI designer role.

There are many different approaches to finding a job. Here are some that we would recommend.

a. Networking

Whether online or offline, building up a professional UI design network has many benefits for those looking to land their first job. Your network is a community you can go to for support, inspiration, and advice but most importantly, it’s through your network that you’re most likely to hear of relevant vacancies and opportunities. In terms of offline networking, try to attend as many design meetups and panel discussions related to UI design as you can as these events usually offer networking opportunities for attendees too. Online, you can connect with UI design professionals on social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Dribbble, and Behance.

b. Work freelance

While you’re looking for a full-time, permanent UI designer position, you might want to consider taking on freelance projects. Taking on UI design work as a freelancer can be a great way to build on your experience, grow your confidence, get your name out there as a professional in the field, produce more content for your portfolio, and earn some money, too. Here are some tips for getting freelance UI design work:

Let former employers know of your new skills, training, and availability
Create a simple website or blog that advertises your UI design qualifications, completed projects, availability, and experience
Use professional networking sites such as LinkedIn to search and apply for freelance work
Get in touch with local businesses or organizations whose digital offering could be improved with your help

c. Find vacancies

Finding a full-time position can sometimes feel like a full-time job in itself. However, with a strategic approach, you should be able to find a UI design position that’s right for you. Before you start applying, be sure to have a polished CV and a well-put-together portfolio, and be prepared to write a role-specific cover letter for each UI designer position you apply for. Employers and recruiters want to see your passion for their company as much as they want to see your UI design experience, so be sure to thoroughly research each business you are hoping to work for, and don’t be shy about elaborating on why you would be such a good fit for the role.

While there’s nothing wrong with using job boards, such as Indeed, Monster, Naukri, Shine, LinkedIn, Stepstone, and Glassdoor, we’d highly recommend you also look at the career and jobs pages of companies which you are genuinely interested in working for. If a company that you’re passionate about isn’t advertising right now, consider sending a prospective letter or email enquiring into vacancies; if they are impressed by your approach they may well reach out to you when a UI design-related vacancy does open up. Finally, don’t forget to turn on Google Job Alerts. This free service will alert you any time a company you’ve selected is advertising a position that mentions the keywords you’ve inputted.

Conclusion

We hope our guide to UI designer salaries has provided you with the important information you need regarding what salary you can expect to receive in this in-demand role. Our advice is to always perform thorough research into UI designer salaries in your area before accepting a salary offer from a new employer. This research enables you to be sure that the salary being offered is fair in terms of the local cost of living and also with regard to your skill level, knowledge, and experience.

If you’d like to learn more about training and careers in UI design, you’ll find several articles on the subject over on the AND Academy blog.

Alternatively, if you are interested in learning more about the field of user experience design, where design thinking is applied very heavily, here are some of the resources you might find useful:

Watch this session by Shiva Viswanathan, Design Head of Ogilvy Pennywise, and Naman Singh, Product Experience Designer at RED.
Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
Pursue our UX UI Design courses - all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts, and some even offer a Job Guarantee.
Take advantage of the scholarship and funding options that come with our courses to overcome any financial hurdle on the path of your career transformation.

Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.

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