UX DESIGNER SALARIES IN AUSTRALIA

As with any profession, the average level of compensation for user experience designers depends on a myriad of factors, including seniority, previous projects completed and the industry niche they are recruited into. 

Because of the increasing demand for talented UX designers throughout Australia, the average salary can be quite competitive compared to other disciplines within the IT industry, even for entry-level job seekers. Because employability in this field is mainly dependent on demonstrated experience, a junior UX designer with a strong portfolio can command a relatively high level of remuneration. 

While having different roles in the design process, a user experience designer and user interface designer will work closely together and, on average, are compensated on the same scale in Australia. In fact, many advertised positions will include UI/UX together in the job title since the skillsets are so similar. 

Salaries for UX designers progress as they gain more experience and take on greater responsibility in their roles. As junior UX designers advance in their careers and acquire more knowledge, they will be able to negotiate higher salaries when they assume greater levels of responsibility. 

Junior UX Designers are generally responsible for carrying out specific design tasks under the guidance of a senior designer. Because they have less experience, they will be learning about the UX design process and the workings of the UX design industry on the job. 
 

Tasks they perform typically include: 

• Wireframing site maps and page layouts 
• Conducting competitive analysis 
• User research 
• Creating design concepts 
• Evaluating user testing results 

A junior user experience designer typically earns $85,000 to $120,000 plus super depending on the industry they join and the strength of their portfolio. 

Mid-level UX designers are typically more hands-on with projects, taking on greater ownership over design deliverables. While they have a better understanding of UX design principles than an entry-level UX designer, they will still be expected to further their knowledge and find opportunities to upskill in-between their day-to-day responsibilities. 
 

A mid-career UX Designer will perform tasks such as: 

• Designing interaction flows 
• Developing user personas 
• Creating prototypes 
• Overseeing usability testing

Mid-level UX designers can expect to earn $110,000 to $160,000 plus superannuation. 

Senior UX Designers are typically responsible for overall design strategy and ensuring that designs meet business objectives and user needs. While their expertise will be essential for the delivery of the project, they will also need to act as leaders and supervise the work of mid-level and junior UX designers. 

Responsibilities of a Senior UX Designer include: 

• Reviewing completed designs 
• Making decisions on design revisions 
• Liaising with cross-functional teams 
• Devising the overall information architecture for a project 
• Coaching junior UX designers 

A Senior User Experience Designer can expect to earn $130,000 to $170,000 plus superannuation. 

To learn more, use the Hays Salary Checker to benchmark UX Designer wages in Australia or start your search for your next UX Designer job with Hays. 

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