What Does a UX/UI Designer Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a UX/UI designer do?

Web and digital interface designers research users, design layouts and interactions, build prototypes and test designs so websites and apps are easy and pleasant to use. The median pay is $104,000 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio, and employment is projected to grow +6.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$104,000
$50.00/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+6.0%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
8,300
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
132,700
Employment, 2025

What UX/UI designers do

UX/UI designers shape how digital products work and feel. UX (user experience) work includes interviewing users, mapping journeys, designing flows and testing prototypes. UI (user interface) work focuses on layout, typography, color, components and visual polish. Many designers do both and work closely with product managers and developers.

Many designers have bachelor’s degrees in design, human-computer interaction or related fields, but bootcamp graduates with strong portfolios are also hired. Accessibility, research skills and tools such as Figma are essential. Entry-level roles are competitive, so a portfolio that shows process matters most.

Typical duties

Research user needs through interviews and data
Create user flows, wireframes and prototypes
Design visual interfaces and components
Test designs with users and iterate
Maintain design systems
Collaborate with developers on implementation
Design for accessibility

Work environment and schedule

Designers work in offices or remotely, mostly at computers, collaborating through design tools, video calls and workshops.

Schedule: Most work full-time with flexible hours and occasional deadline crunches.

A day in the life

9:00 AMReview analytics and user feedback on the checkout flow.
10:00 AMInterview three users about how they shop on mobile.
11:30 AMSketch new flow ideas and wireframe options.
1:30 PMBuild a clickable prototype in Figma.

See a full day in the life of a UX/UI designer →

UX/UI Designer salary

Half of UX/UI designers earned more than $104,000 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $53,750 for the lowest 10% to $201,550 for the top 10%.

$53,75010th$104,000Median$201,55090th

Full UX/UI designer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a UX/UI designer

Learn design fundamentals
Learn UX methods
Master Figma
Build a portfolio
Advance

A bachelor’s degree in graphic design, interaction design, HCI or a related field is typical. UX bootcamps and certificates can lead to jobs when paired with a strong portfolio.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a UX/UI designer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

User research
Wireframing and prototyping
Visual design
Interaction design
Usability testing

People skills

Empathy
Communication
Collaboration
Openness to feedback

All UX/UI designer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Creative and analytical work
High pay in tech
Remote-friendly
Direct impact on users

Cons

Competitive entry-level market
Frequent feedback and revisions
Balancing user needs and business goals
Portfolio required

Certifications and licenses

Google UX Design Certificate: Beginner-friendly UX training.
NN/g UX Certification: Nielsen Norman Group certification.
IAAP CPACC: Accessibility core competencies certification.
Interaction Design Foundation courses: Online UX courses.

Career path

Junior UX/UI Designer: Design screens and flows.
UX/UI Designer: Own features and research.
Senior or Lead Designer: Lead design for products.
Design Manager or Director: Lead design teams.

Learn the job before day one

Our UX/UI Designer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a quick usability test and create a wireframe, safety and how to land your first job.

View UX/UI Designer training Is this career right for me?

Web Developer

Build fast, accessible websites and web applications people love to use.

$92,650
6 months to 4 years

Graphic Designer

Create logos, layouts and visuals that communicate ideas and build brands.

$62,960
4 years or portfolio-based training

Software Developer

Design, build and improve the apps and systems people use every day.

$135,980
4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio

Digital Marketing Specialist

Grow businesses online with search, ads, social media, email and analytics.

$78,760
6 months to 4 years

Compare: UX/UI Designer vs. Web Developer · UX/UI Designer vs. Graphic Designer · UX/UI Designer vs. Software Developer · UX/UI Designer vs. Digital Marketing Specialist

UX/UI Designer FAQ

Do UX designers need a degree?

Not always; a strong portfolio matters most.

What’s the difference between UX and UI?

UX is how it works; UI is how it looks and feels.

Is UX design remote-friendly?

Yes. Many design roles are remote or hybrid.

How much does a UX/UI designer make?

The median annual wage for UX/UI designers was $104,000 ($50.00 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $53,750 and the highest 10% earned more than $201,550.

How long does it take to become a UX/UI designer?

Most people need about 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio of training. A bachelor’s degree in graphic design, interaction design, HCI or a related field is typical. UX bootcamps and certificates can lead to jobs when paired with a strong portfolio.

Do you need a degree to be a UX/UI designer?

Not always. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many UX/UI designers are hired from bootcamps or self-study when their portfolio clearly shows research, process and results.

More UX/UI designer questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 15-1255 (Web and digital interface designers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Web and digital interface designers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

UX/UI Designer