Starting a career as a UX consultant requires understanding the key steps, skills, and experiences needed for success.

In this article, we will outline the typical journey for UX consultants, covering educational requirements, entry-level positions, potential advancements, and long-term opportunities.

Without further ado, let’s get into it!

TL;DR

• A UX consultant improves the usability and user experience of digital products by analyzing user behavior, conducting tests, and providing recommendations.
• According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a UX consultant in the United States is $176,320 per year. This includes an average base pay of $123,110 per year and additional pay of $53,210 per year, which may consist of cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing. The total pay range for this role is $140,000 to $225,000 per year.
• The career path of a UX consultant involves progressing through various roles that build on experience, skills, and leadership capabilities.
  • Junior UX designer
  • UX designer
  • Senior UX designer
  • UX consultant
  • Principal UX consultant
• To excel as a UX consultant, leveraging the right tools is crucial for efficient project management, effective design, and insightful data analysis. Here are several tools that every UX consultant should consider (keep reading for more):
  • Best tool for user onboarding and feedback – Userpilot
  • Best tool for project management – Monday
  • Best tool for agile workflows – Jira
  • Best tool for documentation and knowledge sharing – Confluence
  • Best tool for customer support – Zendesk
  • Best tool for customer success management – ChurnZero
• Looking into tools for UX consultants? Userpilot is an all-in-one product platform with engagement features and powerful analytics capabilities. Book a demo to see it in action!

UX/UI Design and Research Teams Can Use Userpilot to:

• Recruit Users for Usability Tests with Usage Analytics and Segmentation
• Collect User Feedback with In-App Surveys
• Understand Product Usage with Product Analytics

Get a Demo

• 14 Day Trial
• No Credit Card Required

What is a UX consultant?

A UX consultant improves the usability and user experience of digital products by analyzing user behavior, conducting tests, and providing recommendations.

In the SaaS industry, they optimize user flows, increase engagement, and ensure seamless feature integration – working closely with product managers and developers to align design with business goals.

What does a UX consultant do?

A UX consultant assesses and refines digital products to ensure they are user-friendly and meet business objectives. They conduct in-depth user research, perform usability testing, and analyze data to identify pain points and areas for improvement.

Based on these insights, they provide strategic design recommendations and collaborate with design and development teams to implement changes.

UX consultant’s main responsibilities

A UX consultant plays a crucial role in enhancing the usability and overall user experience of digital products, particularly in the SaaS industry. They focus on user-centered design principles to ensure products are intuitive, efficient, and aligned with business goals.

The main responsibilities of a UX consultant are:

• Conduct user research: Gather insights through user interviews, surveys, and usability tests to understand user behaviors, needs, and pain points.
• Analyze user data: Evaluate user feedback and analytics to identify trends and areas for improvement in the user experience.
• Develop user personas and scenarios: Create detailed personas and scenarios to represent different user types and guide design decisions.
• Design recommendations: Provide actionable design recommendations based on research findings to improve user interfaces and interactions.
• Create wireframes and prototypes: Develop wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to visualize design concepts and test solutions.
• Optimize user flows: Design and refine user flows to enhance user engagement, onboarding, and feature adoption.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams: Work closely with product managers, designers, and developers to ensure design solutions align with business goals and user needs.
• Conduct usability testing: Plan, execute and analyze usability tests to validate design changes and ensure a seamless user experience.
• Document design processes: Maintain comprehensive documentation of research findings, design decisions, and recommendations for future reference.

These responsibilities ensure that SaaS products are not only functional but also provide an exceptional user experience, driving user satisfaction and retention.

UX consultant salary

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a UX consultant in the United States is $176,320 per year. This includes an average base pay of $123,110 per year and additional pay of $53,210 per year, which may consist of cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing. The total pay range for this role is $140,000 to $225,000 per year.

One of the biggest factors influencing your salary is your experience level. Here’s how experience can impact your UX consultant salary, according to Glassdoor:

• 0 to 1 year: $103,000 – $183,000 per year
• 1 to 3 years: $125,000 – $209,000 per year
• 4 to 6 years: $146,000 – $237,000 per year
• 7 to 9 years: $160,000 – $258,000 per year
• 10 to 14 years: $178,000 – $282,000 per year
• 15+ years: $187,000 – $300,000 per year

Industries where UX consultants tend to earn the highest salaries include:

• Financial services: $207,000 – $324,000 per year
• Information technology: $215,000 – $331,000 per year
• Retail and wholesale: $171,000 – $262,000 per year
• Telecommunications: $149,000 – $213,000 per year
• Hotels and travel accommodation: $135,000 – $215,000 per year

These figures highlight the significant impact of experience and industry on the earning potential of UX consultants.

UX consultant career path

The career path of a UX consultant involves progressing through various roles that build on experience, skills, and leadership capabilities.

Junior UX designer

As a junior UX designer, you begin by assisting senior designers with tasks such as conducting user research, creating wireframes, and supporting the development of design projects.

This role is critical for gaining practical experience, learning design tools, and building a strong portfolio. It provides a foundation for understanding user needs, interaction principles, and the collaborative nature of design work.

UX designer

Progressing to a UX designer, you take on more responsibility by leading smaller projects and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including developers and product managers.

Your duties expand to include conducting usability testing, refining user interfaces based on feedback, and ensuring that design solutions are user-friendly and aligned with business goals.

Senior UX designer

With several years of experience, you advance to a senior UX designer. In this position, you lead major design projects, mentor junior designers, and play a key role in developing design strategies.

Your responsibilities include overseeing the creation of detailed design specifications, ensuring consistency across all user interfaces, and driving the overall user experience vision. This role demands a deep understanding of user behavior, advanced problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage and inspire a design team.

UX consultant

As a UX consultant, you offer specialized consulting services to various clients, providing strategic advice and design solutions to improve their digital products. You conduct in-depth user research, analyze usability data, and make informed recommendations to enhance user experience.

This role requires staying updated with industry trends, continuously improving your skills through advanced training and certifications, and leveraging your extensive experience to influence design practices.

Principal UX consultant

At the pinnacle of your career, you become a principal UX consultant where you lead multiple consulting projects and oversee the UX strategy for large organizations. Your role involves mentoring other consultants and design professionals.

This position demands extensive experience, leadership prowess, and a comprehensive understanding of both design and business dynamics.

How to become a UX consultant

To become a UX consultant, start with a bachelor’s degree in UX design, human-computer interaction, or a related field. Gain practical experience through internships or entry-level positions to build a strong portfolio.

Enhance your skills with UX bootcamps or certifications, and continuously update your knowledge through workshops and online courses. Networking with professionals and joining UX communities will also help advance your career.

Best resources for UX consultants

To excel as a UX consultant, it’s essential to stay updated with the latest trends, techniques, and best practices. Here are some valuable resources, including books, webinars, podcasts, and blogs, that can help you enhance your skills and knowledge.

Best books for UX consultants

These books provide foundational knowledge and advanced insights into user experience design and strategy.

• Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug – A practical guide to web usability and user-centered design, providing clear, actionable insights.
• The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman – A classic book on human-centered design, exploring the principles of creating functional and user-friendly products.
• About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design by Alan Cooper – Comprehensive guide on interaction design principles and techniques for creating engaging user interfaces.
• Lean UX by Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden – Integrates UX with Agile methodologies, offering practical advice on collaborative and iterative design processes.
• Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal – Insights into the psychology behind user engagement and how to create products that encourage repeat use.

Best webinars for UX consultants

Webinars are an excellent way to stay current with the latest UX practices and industry trends.

• Userpilot Webinars – Regular webinars on user onboarding, product adoption, and UX design – providing actionable insights and strategies.
• NN/g Webinars – Nielsen Norman Group offers webinars on various UX and interaction design topics with research-based insights.
• UXPA Webinars – Webinars on UX best practices and emerging trends, helping designers stay current with the latest advancements.
• Interaction Design Foundation Webinars – In-depth knowledge of a wide range of interaction design topics presented by experts.
• Adobe XD Webinars – Webinars on designing with Adobe XD and other Adobe tools, showcasing practical techniques and tips.

Best blogs for UX consultants

Blogs are a valuable resource for staying updated with the latest trends, tools, and best practices in UX design.

• Userpilot Blog – Articles on user onboarding, product adoption, and UX design, providing practical advice and insights to help designers create more engaging user experiences.
• Nielsen Norman Group Blog – Research-based articles on UX and interaction design, offering valuable insights and best practices from one of the leading authorities in the field.
• Smashing Magazine – Comprehensive resource on web design and development, including UX topics, practical tutorials, and industry trends, making it an essential reading for designers.
• UX Design.cc – Curated content on UX design, research, and strategy, this blog offers a wide range of articles that cover the latest trends, tools, and best practices in the UX field.
• A List Apart – Focused on web design, development, and user experience, A List Apart publishes in-depth articles that explore the intricacies of designing for the web, offering practical advice and innovative ideas.

Best podcasts for UX consultants

Podcasts offer insights and discussions from leading experts and practitioners in the UX field.

• Userpilot Product Heroes – Discussions on product adoption strategies and UX design with industry experts.
• The UX Podcast – Covers a wide range of UX and interaction design topics with insights from leading designers and thought leaders.
• Design Matters – Conversations with designers about their craft, career paths, and personal stories, providing inspiration and practical advice.
• UI Breakfast Podcast – Interviews with industry experts on UI/UX design and product strategy, offering actionable insights and tips.
• The NN/g UX Podcast – Insights and interviews on user experience and design, produced by Nielsen Norman Group.

Best tools for UX consultants

To excel as a UX consultant, leveraging the right tools is crucial for efficient project management, effective design, and insightful data analysis. Here are 10 top tools that every UX consultant should consider:

• Best tool for user onboarding and feedback – Userpilot: Userpilot helps design and optimize user onboarding experiences and collects in-app user feedback to improve product engagement.
• Best tool for project management – Monday: Monday offers a highly visual and customizable platform for managing projects, tracking progress, and collaborating with team members efficiently.
• Best tool for agile workflows – Jira: Jira is a powerful tool for tracking tasks, managing agile workflows, and ensuring seamless collaboration among design and development teams.
• Best tool for documentation and knowledge sharing – Confluence: Confluence provides a centralized space for creating, organizing, and sharing project documentation, design guidelines, and collaborative notes.
• Best tool for customer support – Zendesk: Zendesk is a comprehensive customer service tool that enables UX consultants to understand user issues, gather feedback, and improve the user experience based on support data.
• Best tool for customer success management – ChurnZero: ChurnZero helps monitor customer health, engagement, and satisfaction, providing valuable insights for designing better user experiences.
• Best tool for UI/UX design – Figma: Figma offers real-time collaboration, vector editing, and prototyping capabilities, making it a versatile tool for creating and refining interactive designs.
• Best tool for vector graphics and interface design – Sketch: Sketch is a widely-used design tool known for its powerful vector graphics editing and prototyping features, ideal for creating detailed UI designs.
• Best tool for prototyping and animations – InVision Studio: InVision Studio provides robust prototyping and animation tools, allowing designers to create high-fidelity interactive prototypes and user interfaces.
• Best tool for data visualization and analytics – Tableau: Tableau is a leading data analytics tool that enables designers to visualize user data, derive insights, and make data-driven design decisions.

UX/UI Design and Research Teams Can Use Userpilot to:

• Recruit Users for Usability Tests with Usage Analytics and Segmentation
• Collect User Feedback with In-App Surveys
• Understand Product Usage with Product Analytics

Get a Demo

• 14 Day Trial
• No Credit Card Required

Conclusion

We hope our article has given you a good overview of the career path for UX consultants.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, the key is to stay curious, keep learning, and remain open to new opportunities along the way.

Looking into tools for UX consultants? Userpilot is an all-in-one product platform with engagement features and powerful analytics capabilities. Book a demo to see it in action!