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What a UX designer really does

You shape how an app feels to use, then defend every choice to the people around you.

Try it free, about 105 minutesSee the real tasks
Median pay, May 2025$104,000
Job growth, 2025-35+6%
Typical entry educationBachelor's degree
Preparation (O*NET Job Zone)Considerable Preparation Needed

What the work involves

8 of the 31 tasks O*NET lists for web and digital interface designers, most important first.

  • Identify problems uncovered by testing or customer feedback, and correct problems or refer problems to appropriate personnel for correction.
  • Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
  • Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.
  • Perform Web site tests according to planned schedules, or after any Web site or product revision.
  • Collaborate with web development professionals, such as front-end or back-end developers, to complete the full scope of Web development projects.
  • Develop new visual design concepts and modify concepts based on stakeholder feedback.
  • Maintain understanding of current Web technologies or programming practices through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups.
  • Respond to user email inquiries, or set up automated systems to send responses.

What the days are like

Most of the time goes to
  • Working with Computers. Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information. Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events. Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems. Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Thinking Creatively. Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
What workers report
  • E-Mail: 93% responded “Every day.”
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team: 81% responded “Extremely important.”
  • Spend Time Sitting: 69% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
  • Contact With Others: 32% responded “Contact with others most of the time.”
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate: 67% responded “Extremely important.”

Work styles that matter most

InnovationA tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.
AdaptabilityA tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.
Intellectual CuriosityA tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.
Attention to DetailA tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
DependabilityA tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

How people get into it

O*NET places this job in Job Zone 4: most people hold a bachelor's degree (52% of surveyed workers say it is required), and 30% report a post baccalaureate certificate. In practice hiring leans heavily on a portfolio of real design work, often built through a degree in design, HCI or a related field, a bootcamp or certificate, and internships.

The Firstday trial, easy to hard

Three simulated tasks at Forkful, a fictional company, with AI coworkers who message you, react to your work and coach with questions. Nobody scores you.

EasyBuild a restaurant cardAbout 20 minutes.
MiddleShape a new home screen sectionAbout 35 minutes.
HardLaunch week: hold the scopeAbout 50 minutes.

What the trial can't show: The trial cannot show months of slow iteration on one product, live usability sessions with real users, the politics of a large org, or the hands on craft speed you build in a professional tool like Figma over years. It also leaves out the coding and site maintenance side some O*NET designers do (tasks 2 and 3).

Reading about it is one thing.

Find out how the work feels to you before you spend on a degree, course or job change. Your first trial is free.

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Job titles people in this occupation report

UI Developer (User Interface Developer) · UX Developer (User Experience Developer) · UX Engineer (User Experience Engineer) · Web Administration Coordinator (Web Admin Coordinator) · Web Architect · Web Content Developer · Web Content Specialist · Web Design Specialist · Web Designer · Webmaster

Tasks, work activities, work context, work styles, reported titles and Job Zone: O*NET OnLine, 15-1255.00 Web and Digital Interface Designers. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

Pay, growth and entry education: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, web and digital interface designers, May 2025 wages and 2025-35 projections.