UX Researcher Salary: What You’ll Make and Why

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

UX researchers are a key part of the product development team. Learn more about the average salaries for UX researchers and the factors that influence total pay.

[Featured Image] A professional considering a career change focuses on the information on their laptop screen as they discover UX researcher salary information.

Many companies focus on the user experience (UX) to evaluate how consumers use products or services. UX researchers collect and analyze data to help the organization better understand how users interact with their products and services and provide valuable insights into how they can meet customer expectations. This role becomes critical as organizations shift their focus to the user experience. Learn more about UX researcher salaries, including how much you can expect to make and the factors influencing your salary. 

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What is a UX researcher?

A UX researcher is a vital member of the product design team, helping to collect and analyze data about the user experience. As a UX researcher, you’ll analyze user or customer preferences to help businesses ensure their products and services align with their customers' needs. Solid research and analytical skills are essential if you plan to pursue a career as a UX researcher.

How much does a UX researcher make?

A UX researcher’s salary in Canada ranges from $84,752 CAD to $118,835 CAD, according to data from different salary aggregate websites. Average base salaries for UX researchers in Canada are as follows [1, 2, 3]:

IndeedPayscaleGlassdoor
$81,771 CAD$77,273 CAD$80,044 CAD

*All salary data current as of December 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 that can affect the site’s calculated average.

What influences a UX researcher salary?

UX researchers' salaries can fluctuate widely depending on experience, location, and additional compensation on top of the base salary. Explore these factors in more detail to understand how to optimize your earning potential.

Experience and titles

Salary increases are generally tied to your experience level and, subsequently, your title. For example, an associate UX researcher typically earns less than a mid- or senior-level UX researcher, who can earn an average of $104,805 CAD, according to Payscale [2]. The more experience you develop, the more likely you’ll gain additional responsibilities, opening a path to promotions and salary increases.

Here’s a breakdown of UX researcher salaries based on experience levels [2]: 

  • Early career (1-4 years): $73,252 CAD

  • Mid-career (5-9 years): $98,254 CAD

  • Senior level (10-19 years): $104,805

Location

It’s no secret that some cities and provinces are more expensive 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 Payscale, here’s how UX researcher salaries vary across Canada compared to the national average [2]:

  • Toronto, Ontario: 16 per cent higher

  • Montreal, Quebec: 9 per cent lower

  • Vancouver, British Columbia: 2 per cent higher

  • Ottawa, Ontario: 5 per cent lower

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Benefits, perks, and bonuses

In Canada, your salary is generally accompanied by a benefits package and some perks. These may include paid vacation days, stock options, gym reimbursements, transportation subsidies, and the chance to work from home. It’s a good idea to evaluate these benefits when offered a job. Sometimes, a benefits package that can save money on your commute or perks that allow you to live your preferred lifestyle can offset a less-than-desirable salary. 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 based on individual, team, or company-wide performance at various points in the year. Though it’s hard to predict beforehand, you can ask a hiring manager if bonuses are common.

How does this compare to similar jobs? 

UX research is one of the many types of UX jobs. Compare average UX salaries to similar positions in the field:

  • Market researcher: $68,783 CAD [5]

  • Front-end developer: $88,250 CAD [6]

  • UX manager: $87,310 CAD [7]

  • UX designer: $80,232 CAD [8]

How to increase your salary

Many factors go into determining your salary potential. Consider these strategies to boost your earning power:

  • 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: Though it can be intimidating, sometimes the simplest way to increase your salary is to ask your manager. When approaching your boss, talk about past performance reviews and bring some data on how exactly your company has benefited from your work. You should also have a target salary and be ready to negotiate. 

  • Gain a credential: Hiring managers for UX researchers typically look for candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree. But there are also other ways to show your skills and experience. A professional certificate or advanced degree in human-computer interaction, psychology, behavioral science, or a related social science degree can boost your earning potential. After all, higher levels of education correlate with higher incomes.

Continue learning about UX research on Coursera

The world of UX can offer a rewarding career if you want to work in product development. If you are new to the field, consider delving deeper with the beginner-friendly Google UX Design Professional Certificate on Coursera. In this program, you can gain exposure to using foundational UX design tools and methods, planning a UX research study, and applying your findings to modify designs.

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Article sources

1

Indeed. “UX Experience Researcher Salary in Canada,” https://ca.indeed.com/career/user-experience-researcher/salaries." Accessed December 2, 2024.

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