How to Negotiate Your UX Salary
Your Guide to UX Salary Negotiation (Free Guide Inside)
You’ve just received an offer for your dream UX job. You’re excited, but then comes the dreaded moment—it’s time to talk salary.
You wonder, “What if I ask for too much? What if they pull the offer? What if I just accept and regret it later?” Let’s stop the spiral. Here’s the truth: negotiating your salary isn’t just an option—it’s an expectation.
In fact, around 84% of employers expect candidates to negotiate their offer. Meaning, if you accept the first offer you get, you might be missing out on a heftier salary. (Novorésumé)
Let’s change that. Today, we’re diving into how to negotiate with confidence, clarity, and a plan—because your work deserves to be valued.
Today’s Highlights
Key Insight: Mastering the UX Salary Conversation
Market Insights: UX Salary Trends to Know in 2025
Why Negotiating Matters
The Right Time to Talk Salary
Common Employer Tactics—and How to Respond
Practical Tips: Scripts to Use During Negotiations
Community Spotlight: Your Best Salary Negotiation Advice
Upcoming workshop: Choosing The Right UX Career Path
Resource Corner: Books, Tools, and Reads for Salary Success
Tool of the Week: Payscale
Key Insight: Mastering the UX Salary Conversation
Negotiating your salary can feel uncomfortable, but here’s a mindset shift: you’re not being difficult—you’re advocating for yourself. When done right, negotiation isn’t about confrontation; it’s about collaboration.
Market Insights: UX Salary Trends to Know in 2025
Median UX Salaries Are Rising
The average UX designer salary in 2025 is approximately $79,973. (PayScale)Remote Roles Are Competitive
Remote UX roles often match big-city salaries, leveling the playing field for professionals outside of major hubs. (Source)Specialized Skills Mean Bigger Paychecks
UXers with expertise in AI, accessibility, or UX writing earn 15–20% more than their generalist peers. (Source)
Why Negotiating Matters
Think about this: if you accept an offer that’s $10,000 below the market average, that gap grows every year. Raises, bonuses, and even future job offers are often tied to your current salary. Negotiating doesn’t just impact today’s paycheck—it shapes your entire career trajectory.
The Right Time to Talk Salary
Timing is everything. The earlier you bring up salary, the more it can hurt your chances of moving forward. Instead, wait until:
You’ve been offered the role.
They explicitly ask for your expectations.
When asked about salary expectations early on, redirect the conversation:
“I’m excited about this opportunity and would love to learn more about the role before discussing numbers. Could you share the range you’ve budgeted for this position?”
Common Employer Tactics—and How to Respond
✅ The Lowball Offer
Employers may start low to see if you’ll bite. Respond with appreciation but reference your research:
“Thank you for the offer. Based on my understanding of the market and the responsibilities of this role, I was expecting something closer to [specific number]. Can we explore that?”
✅ “This Is Our Final Offer”
Sometimes, companies claim there’s no room to budge. This is where negotiating benefits comes in:
“I understand. Would it be possible to discuss other areas, like professional development budgets or additional PTO?”
✅ “What’s Your Current Salary?”
There’s no federal law requiring you to disclose your current salary, and many states have enacted salary history bans to promote pay equity. For instance, as of 2023, 22 states and 23 localities have implemented such bans. (Source)
Here's how you can navigate this:
“I’d prefer to focus on the value I bring to this role rather than my previous compensation. What range do you have in mind?”
Practical Tips: Scripts to Use During Negotiations
✅ When They Ask for Your Salary Expectations
“I’d love to focus on the value I bring to this role. Could you share the range you’ve budgeted?”
✅ When You Want to Counter Their Offer
“Thank you for the offer! Based on the responsibilities of this role and my experience, I was hoping for something closer to [specific number]. Would you be open to discussing that?”
✅ When You Want to Negotiate Benefits
“If the salary isn’t flexible, could we look at adding professional development stipends, extra PTO, or remote work options?”
This week’s question: Your Best Salary Negotiation Advice?
This Week’s Answer:
You’re not just asking for more—you’re showing them why you’re worth it.
know your worth, then add tax. Before you even step into that room, do your homework. Research the market, understand your value, and don’t just focus on the base pay—look at the full package. Benefits, bonuses, stock options, growth opportunities—they all count.
And when it’s time to talk numbers? Don’t be the first to throw out a figure. Let them make the first offer, and then counter with confidence. Remember, negotiation isn’t conflict; it’s collaboration.
Have a burning UX question? Share it HERE!, and we might answer it in our next issue.
Time is precious—don’t spend it stuck in the wrong role
This 90-minute webinar will help you uncover your unique strengths and align them with a UX career path that truly fits. Through guided reflections and practical exercises, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and a roadmap to move forward.
Resource Corner: Books, Tools, and Reads for Salary Success
Tool: Payscale – Personalized salary reports for your role, location, and experience.
Try It HereBook: Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1,000 a Minute by Jack Chapman.
Article: How to Negotiate Your Starting Salary by Harvard Business Review
To learn more about salary negotiation, click the button below:
Tool of the Week: Payscale – Know Your Worth
Here’s how Payscale can help you:
Generate personalized salary reports.
Compare your compensation to industry benchmarks.
Access market trends in real time.
Final Note | Speak Up, Get Paid
Negotiation isn’t just about the money—it’s about setting the tone for how you’re valued in your role. Research, ask thoughtful questions, and don’t settle for less than what you deserve.
Your skills matter.