As companies balance economic caution with the continued need to improve digital experiences, demand for UI and UX professionals is expected to remain strong. The Figma 2025 Design Trends Report highlights how AI-assisted ideation and automated component generation are reshaping interface design. As a result, teams are becoming more integrated with engineering and data functions, and roles are expanding to include strategy, experimentation, and AI-informed design.
Professionals who combine design craft with research capability, technical fluency, and a product mindset will be well-positioned to take advantage of top opportunities in 2026 and beyond.
UI/UX job market overview
Motion Recruitment's 2026 Tech Salary Guide highlights steady hiring across UI, UX, and product functions. Employers are investing in talent that can drive user-centric design while bringing cross-functional collaboration skills to fast-moving product environments.
Compensation remains competitive across the United States and Canada. At the mid-level, salary ranges for UI and UX roles generally fall between $99,375 and $156,365, while senior level roles can reach $178,650 depending on specialization. Product managers and senior product designers consistently rank among the highest-paying roles in this category.
UI and UX professionals who bring additional skills in research, AI-assisted design, prototyping, or data-informed decision-making are especially in demand. As companies expect more impact per role, generalists with strong technical and collaboration skills remain a priority for hiring managers.
Trends in UI and UX
AI-enhanced design and product workflows
AI continues to influence nearly every area of the design process. According to the Tech Salary Guide, nearly half of leaders are prioritizing AI-specific training for their workforce, and UI and UX teams are at the center of this shift. Designers are increasingly using AI-assisted tools to accelerate prototyping, generate user scenarios, run interface variations, and support accessibility testing.
While these tools reduce repetitive work, they also raise expectations. Employers now look for UI and UX professionals who can blend AI-driven efficiency with human creativity, critical thinking, and an understanding of user needs. AI is becoming a partner in the workflow rather than a replacement, and designers who can use these tools effectively often stand out in hiring processes.
The shift toward product-centric and research-driven teams
Organizations are moving toward product-led structures, where strategy, user insights, and experimentation guide decision making. UI and UX roles are central to this model. Product designers are being asked to own more end-to-end responsibilities, and UX researchers are becoming essential as companies rely more heavily on validated insights rather than assumptions.
The Tech Salary Guide notes that companies are investing in roles that improve efficiency and user satisfaction. In practice, this means a stronger demand for professionals who can analyze user behavior, run usability testing, translate findings into design decisions, and work closely with engineering and product teams.
As digital experiences become more complex, UX professionals who can synthesize research, evaluate the performance of AI-driven features, and guide product direction play a major role in shaping long-term success.
Top Available UI/UX Jobs Across North America
Industries hiring UX and UI talent
Demand for UX and UI professionals spans nearly every major industry. As organizations move toward more user-centric digital experiences, design talent is becoming essential to product success. While the technology sector continues to lead in overall hiring, several additional industries are expanding their investment in UI and UX roles.
Technology and software
Product modernization, AI-driven features, and the need for intuitive interfaces keep technology companies at the forefront of hiring. UX and UI teams partner closely with engineering and product functions to deliver experiences that differentiate platforms in competitive markets. Companies building complex software ecosystems often require designers who can work across mobile, web, and multidevice environments.
Finance and fintech
Banks, fintech startups, and insurance companies are redesigning legacy customer journeys to improve onboarding, digital payments, account management, and accessibility. UX researchers and product designers play a central role in simplifying complex workflows, improving trust through clearer interfaces, and aligning products with regulatory and security requirements.
Healthcare and life sciences
Digital health tools, telemedicine platforms, and patient portals rely heavily on intuitive design. Healthcare organizations need UX and UI specialists who can create accessible, compliant, and emotionally supportive experiences for patients and clinicians. User research is especially important in this sector due to strict requirements around privacy, safety, and clarity.
Retail and e-commerce
As consumer expectations rise, retailers are investing in cohesive UX across websites, mobile apps, loyalty programs, and in-store digital touchpoints. Designers who specialize in conversion optimization, personalization, and data-informed experience design are in high demand.
Automotive and manufacturing
Connected vehicles, in-car interfaces, and IoT-powered manufacturing systems all rely on thoughtful UI and UX. Automotive companies are hiring designers to shape next-generation mobility experiences, while manufacturers need specialists who can create intuitive tools for technicians and operators.
Education and public sector
Education tech platforms, digital learning tools and government service portals increasingly require polished, user-friendly designs. These sectors value UX professionals who can simplify complex information and improve accessibility for broad and diverse user groups.
Highest Paying UI and UX jobs in 2026
These salary averages come from Motion Recruitment's 2026 Tech Salary Guide, based on real market data from thousands of jobs across major North American cities. The figures below represent starting salary ranges for each role and reflect base compensation only, excluding bonuses, equity, and benefits. Salaries may vary depending on factors such as company size, industry, and organizational structure.
Senior level roles (5+ years of experience)
Product Designer: $144,285 – $178,650
Product Manager: $137,727 – $173,272
UI and UX Designer: $115,320 – $144,200
UX Researcher: $129,800 – $159,870
Mid-level roles (2 to 5 years of experience)
Product Designer: $117,128 – $156,365
Product Manager: $124,350 – $151,150
UI and UX Designer: $99,375 – $126,562
UX Researcher: $107,890 – $122,300
