Career comparison
Software Developer vs. UX/UI Designer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Software developers earn more at the median ($135,980 vs. $104,000), while software developers usually get to work faster (4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio of training). Software developers design, build and improve the apps and systems people use every day. UX/UI designers design apps and websites that are easy, useful and enjoyable to use.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Software Developer | UX/UI Designer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $135,980 ($65.38/hr) | $104,000 ($50.00/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $82,460 – $214,670 | $53,750 – $201,550 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +10.2% (much faster than average) | +6.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 95,300 | 8,300 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio | 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio |
| Key credential | AWS Certified Developer – Associate | Google UX Design Certificate |
| Work setting | Developers work in offices or remotely, mostly at computers, collaborating through chat, video and code review tools.. | Designers work in offices or remotely, mostly at computers, collaborating through design tools, video calls and workshops.. |
What each job does
Software Developer
- Gather requirements and design software features
- Write clean, maintainable code
- Write and run automated tests
- Debug and fix defects
- Review code and collaborate in version control
UX/UI Designer
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work, problem-solving, remote-friendly work, and creative work. Both are part of the technology field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose software developer if…
- I love solving puzzles
- I enjoy building things with code
- I can focus for long periods
Choose UX/UI designer if…
- I notice when apps are confusing
- I like design and technology
- I enjoy understanding how people think
Still torn? Take the Software Developer fit quiz and the UX/UI Designer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, software developer or UX/UI designer?
Software Developers earn more at the median: $135,980 versus $104,000 for UX/UI designers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Software Developers typically train faster (4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio) than UX/UI designers (4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects software developers to grow +10.2% from 2025–35, compared with +6.0% for UX/UI designers.