4 UX Careers Beyond Design You’ll Want to Explore

Key takeaways

User experience (UX) professionals can find rewarding roles beyond UX design that use their research, coding, writing, and project management skills.

• Jobs for UX designers are growing, with web development and digital design opportunities likely to grow by 7 percent between 2024 and 2034, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1].

• UX roles outside of design include UX researcher, UX engineer, UX writer, and information architect.

• You can build your skills in data analysis, data visualization, and programming languages to prepare for these UX roles.

Learn more about potential UX careers beyond design, along with their average salaries. If you’re ready to build in-demand skills, consider enrolling in the Google UX Design Professional Certificate. In as little as six months, you can build your professional UX portfolio with end-to-end projects to showcase your skills to potential employers. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career credential to showcase on your resume.

UX careers and specializations

The following UX career paths might involve design elements, but design won’t be central to day-to-day work.

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of February 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

1. UX researcher

Median total pay: $119,000 [2]

As a UX researcher, you’ll be expected to conduct qualitative and quantitative research on the users of a product. That can mean conducting interviews, distributing surveys, or using card sorting. If the idea of conducting research to see what elements of design people like or find challenging sounds appealing, then UX research may be rewarding for you. UX researchers might also be called user researchers, UX analysts, or usability analysts. Skills often requested of UX researchers include:

• User testing methods: Knowing various user test methods will be your prime weapon as a user researcher. Ensure you’re familiar with methods like card sorting, A/B testing, guerilla testing, and surveys—and in what situations they’re best deployed.

• Human-computer interaction or psychology: Many job descriptions for UX researchers call for an academic background in human-computer interaction, psychology, or a related field.

• Data analysis: Basic data analysis tools like SQL or data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI can help you understand and organize the data you collect from your research.

2. UX engineer

Median total pay: $143,000 [3]

UX engineers, also known as UX developers, code the interfaces of websites and apps using UX principles. They might use front-end programming languages to create buttons, layouts, menus, and small animations that create a pleasant user experience. UX engineer skills include:

• Front-end programming languages: As a front-end developer, knowing how to program in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will likely be key to doing your job well.

• UX concepts: Job descriptions often ask for an understanding of UX principles, like user-centric thinking, wireframing, prototyping, and user research skills.

• Design tools and sensibility: Knowing basic design concepts like color theory and typography, and being able to use design tools like Figma or Sketc,h can show employers your versatility as a UX engineer.

Set aside one month to complete Johns Hopkins University’s HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers Specialization to build a strong foundation in front-end web development and earn credentials for your resume, no previous experience required.

3. UX writer

Median total pay: $86,000 [4]

A UX writer creates the microcopy, which is the words on buttons and menus, chatbot conversations, and error messages, that help a user navigate digital products. They try to balance the user’s needs, goals, and emotions with limitations like a company’s brand voice and business needs. Copywriters and technical writers might occupy similar roles in a UX team. A UX writer needs the following skills:

• Writing: UX writing goes beyond good grammar and spelling. UX writers must empathize with the user, write concisely, control tone, and stay true to a company’s brand voice.

• Digital design tools: Familiarity with Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Cloud, or other design tools can help UX writers implement their work.

• User research: A/B testing, data analysis, and running session recordings can be useful for UX writers to determine how copy affects users.

4. Information architect

Median total pay: $163,000 [5]

Information architects organize information on websites and applications to make them easily navigable to users. They might plan the layout of a website, decide where it makes most sense to have a purchase button, or develop sitemaps to strategize how best to group content together.

• Front-end development: Some familiarity with various elements of front-end development, like static site generators and programming languages, is often requested.

• User testing: Information architects can use user testing methods like A/B testing, card sorting, or session recordings to see what formats are most usable for users.

• Project management: Because information architects’ jobs often see crossover with the UX design and engineering teams, they might be expected to be able to organize a team and see a project through to completion. Project management skills might come in handy here.

Read more: What Is Information Architecture in UX Design?

Will UX get replaced by AI?

No, artificial intelligence (AI) is not likely to replace UX. Instead, it will be a tool that UX professionals use to streamline their tasks and work more efficiently. For example, you may be able to use AI to assist with user research, data analysis, or usability testing.

Explore free UX resources for your career 

Subscribe to Career Chat, our LinkedIn newsletter, to stay up-to-date with career tips and industry trends. Then check out these free resources to learn more about a UX career:

• Learn your terminology: Glossary of UX Terms and Definitions 

• Consider your path: A High-Income Skill for Creatives: User Experience 

• Watch on YouTube: Want a New UX Challenge? Here’s How to Switch Industries 

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