After the 2021 hiring frenzy, UX salaries cooled. That 'correction' plus remote work is pushing companies toward affordable global talent, especially in LatAm.
As of 2023, UX hiring stabilized after the 2021 boom and salaries fell (in the UK, reportedly down ~11% for junior, ~12.5% mid, up to ~33% senior roles), squeezed further by ~9.6% inflation. The US and Switzerland pay the most (UX architects ~$119k US, ~$150k Switzerland); Romania and Bulgaria the least in Europe (~$40-45k). Remote work is pushing companies toward affordable global talent. Latin America stands out: highly creative professionals at much lower wages, which the piece frames as ‘affordable, not cheap’. Note: all figures are 2023 averages and have since shifted.
Key takeaways
- UX hiring cooled after 2021; salaries dropped, hitting senior roles hardest in the UK.
- US demand is still projected to grow ~23% (2021-31), but pay is uneven.
- Highest pay: US and Switzerland; lowest in Europe: Romania and Bulgaria.
- Remote work makes local-only teams less cost-competitive; outsourcing rises.
- LatAm offers strong creative talent at affordable (not cheap) rates.
UX/UI salaries by region (2023 averages, USD/yr)
| Role | USA | UK | EU | India | SE Asia | LatAm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UI Designer | $100,000 | $50,400 | $56,160 | $10,800 | $8,078 | $10,000 |
| Senior UX Designer | $132,500 | $88,200 | $77,760 | $24,000 | $16,200 | $18,000 |
| Principal UX Designer | $225,000 | $113,400 | $89,640 | $30,000 | n/a | $30,000 |
| Director of UX | $240,000 | $123,480 | $117,720 | $48,000 | $38,880 | $52,000 |
| VP of UX | $350,000 | $151,200 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Europe's spread: highest to lowest
| Role | Switzerland | Norway | Romania | Bulgaria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UX Architect | $150,000 | $135,000 | $40,000 | $45,000 |
| UI Designer | $120,000 | $105,000 | $30,000 | $35,000 |
| Product Manager | $150,000 | $135,000 | $40,000 | $45,000 |
| Product Designer | $130,000 | $115,000 | $35,000 | $40,000 |
| UX Analyst | $110,000 | $95,000 | $30,000 | $35,000 |
Country averages (all roles blended)
Blended averages across internships to management: United States ~$110k, United Kingdom ~$66k, Canada ~$63k, Australia ~$64k, New Zealand ~$57k, China ~$76k, Germany ~$58k, France ~$48k, South Africa ~$37k. These mix all seniority levels and company types, so they differ from the role-specific tables above.
Many countries with lower average salaries, like those in Latin America, have a wealth of creative talent. It isn’t cheap, it’s affordable.
On affordable UX design
Cheap vs affordable, and what to expect
The trend isn’t a race to the bottom. Lower salaries in regions like LatAm reflect cost of living, not lower skill, which is the difference between cheap and affordable design. Aquent’s guide framed the drop as a market ‘rebalancing’ after 2021’s inflated pay, while demand stays strong in video, motion graphics and 3D. As remote and hybrid work normalize, expect continued stabilization: softer salaries, sustained demand, and more cross-border hiring. Freelancers (often excluded from official data) tend to out-earn salaried peers.
They cooled after the 2021 boom. US and Switzerland paid the most (UX architects ~$119k and ~$150k), while Romania and Bulgaria were lowest in Europe (~$40-45k). UK salaries fell, hardest for senior roles.
A market ‘rebalancing’ after inflated 2021 pay, plus economic uncertainty, high inflation (~9.6%) and a shift to remote work that made companies cautious, especially about juniors.
The United States and Switzerland lead, followed by Norway. Emerging markets like India, Southeast Asia and Latin America pay considerably less.
No, it’s affordable. Lower wages reflect cost of living, not lower skill; LatAm has a deep pool of creative talent.
Demand stays strong (US roles projected to grow ~23% through 2031), but salaries are stabilizing and remote work is increasing cross-border hiring.
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