Who is a UX specialist

THE CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE:

Who is a UX specialist?

A UX (User Experience) specialist is a specialist responsible for creating a convenient and enjoyable user experience with digital products. Their goal is to make a website or application intuitive, functional and enjoyable to use. In the modern world, where digital products have become an integral part of life, UX design affects the success of companies and their interactions with customers.

The main tasks of a UX specialist

To achieve this goal, a UX specialist performs a wide range of tasks. They analyze user behavior, test different solutions and implement changes that improve the overall experience of interacting with the product.

User research - studies the behavior, needs and expectations of the audience.
Competitor analysis evaluates UX solutions of other companies to create unique advantages.
User scenario design determines the optimal ways for the user to interact with the product.
Prototyping - creates rough versions of interfaces (wireframes, mockups).
UX testing - checks the usability of the interface, conducts A/B testing.

Work as a UX specialist

Conducting UX and usability audits
Developing hypotheses for improvement
UX design
Website conversion optimization
Data analysis
etc.

Required hard skills

To work successfully, a UX specialist must have technical skills. They help not only create high-quality design, but also analyze its effectiveness based on real data.

Working with UX research analyzes data and builds hypotheses.
Proficiency in UX tools – Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Axure.
Understanding analytics – Google Analytics, Hotjar.
Usability testing – the ability to test interfaces and analyze their effectiveness.

Important soft skills

In addition to technical skills, a successful UX specialist has developed soft skills. They help to better understand users, interact with the team and quickly adapt to changes.

Analytical thinking helps to make informed decisions.
Empathy allows you to better understand users and their needs.
Teamwork is important for interacting with UI designers and developers.
Creativity helps to find non-standard solutions.

Career prospects

The UX design market is constantly expanding, which opens up opportunities for career growth. Specialists can choose different directions and deepen their knowledge in certain aspects of UX.

UX/UI designer is a universal specialist who combines UX and UI design.
Lead UX designer - manages the UX direction in the company.
Product designer works on the comprehensive design of digital products.
UX analyst - deals exclusively with research and testing.

Salaries of UX/UI designers in Ukraine.

Junior UX/UI designer:
Newbies (0-2 years of experience) usually receive approximately $400-$700 per month. Such figures are confirmed by data from platforms such as Work.ua and other Ukrainian resources, where the average salary of a specialist at the start is about $760. Source work.ua.

Middle UX/UI designer:
Specialists with 2-5 years of experience can expect a salary in the range of $1000-$1500 per month. In Ukraine, the average salary at a higher level is often around $1200-$1300 - these figures are typical for work in large IT companies and agencies.

Senior UX/UI designer and managers:
Experienced specialists with more than 5 years of experience can receive from $2000 to $3000 or more per month. In leading companies where UX/UI design is a critical component of the product, the salary range may exceed these values, especially if the specialist occupies a leadership position.

The data shows that the demand for UX/UI designers in Ukraine is growing, which allows talented specialists to find interesting projects and work both in-house and remotely.

UX/UI designer salaries in the USA

Average annual salary:
According to various analytical sources (Glassdoor, Skypro), the average annual salary of a UX/UI designer in the USA is approximately $85,000. This means that the average monthly take-home pay can be around $7,000, although the figures depend on the region and experience. Source: plerdy.com.

Entry level:
Junior UX/UI designers can earn around $59,000–$65,000 per year, which is approximately $4,900–$5,400 per month.

Experienced and management positions:
Mid-level specialists (3-5 years) can earn from $100,000 per year, and Senior and Lead UX/UI designers can earn even more, reaching $140,000–$150,000 and more per year.

In the US, high salaries are explained by high competition, high cost of living in tech hubs (like San Francisco, New York) and high demands on the skills of specialists.

UX/UI designer salaries in Europe

Germany:
The average annual salary of a UX/UI designer in Germany is about €50,000–€60,000 (about $55,000–$65,000 at the current exchange rate). Salaries in cities like Berlin and Munich are usually higher.

United Kingdom:
In the UK, UX/UI designers can earn an average of £45,000–£55,000 per year (approximately $50,000–$60,000).

Eastern Europe:
In countries like Poland, the Czech Republic or Ukraine (overseas), salaries are lower, ranging from $500 to $1,500 per month for specialists of different levels, reflecting differences in the cost of living and the labor market.

Major factors affecting the salary of a UX/UI designer

Work experience and portfolio: The more real projects and positive cases in the portfolio, the higher the cost on the market.
Specialization: Having narrow skills (for example, mobile app design, UX analysis, prototyping) allows you to claim higher pay.
Geography: The region of work and the country determine the salary level - employees in the USA and Western Europe receive much more than in the CIS countries.
Company type: Large international corporations usually offer higher salaries compared to startups or small agencies.
Self-presentation skills: The ability to present your projects, negotiate and argue for your design solutions affects your income.

Statistics show that the UX/UI design market is growing steadily. In the USA and Western Europe, salaries are high - from $85,000 per year for mid-level specialists to $150,000 and higher for experienced designers. In Ukraine, despite lower overall indicators, growth opportunities are significant, especially for those who want to work on international projects or switch to remote work. The key is to constantly develop professional skills and update your portfolio.

Where to find vacancies?

UX specialist jobs can be found on various platforms. It is important to regularly update your portfolio and be active in professional communities.

International resources - LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, Behance Jobs.
Ukrainian sites - Work.ua, Djinni, Robota.ua.
Freelance exchanges - Upwork, Toptal, Fiverr.

Conclusion

The profession of a UX specialist is promising, well-paid and in demand on the market. This is an ideal choice for those who like to analyze user behavior, design intuitive interfaces and influence the success of digital products. Development in this area opens up many opportunities from working in IT companies to creating your own projects.
Source: https://netpeak.ua/ru/services/ux-ui-design