UX DESIGNER SALARIES IN NEW ZEALAND

The average pay for a user experience designer, like any job, is determined by various elements, including education and training, years of expertise and the industry they were hired into (as well as the competitiveness of the local job market). 

Because of New Zealand's growing scarcity of skilled UX Designers, the typical salary is relatively competitive compared to other disciplines within the technology space. This is especially noticeable in average salaries for entry-level user experience designers. Due to the fact employability in the UX industry is largely dependent on previous experience, an early-career UX Designer can jump into their first major full-time or contract role with an impressive level of compensation. 

A user experience designer and user interface designer collaborate closely throughout the design process. The overlap of skills between these roles explains why they are compensated at about the same rate in New Zealand. In reality, because the skillsets are so similar, many advertised positions include UI/UX together in the title. 

The average salary for a UX Designer in New Zealand will increase as they gain more experience and begin to take more ownership of the projects they're involved in. As junior UX Designers rise in the ranks and obtain more expertise, they will be able to command higher salaries commensurate with their next job title and the work it entails. 

Junior UX Designers carry out particular UX design activities under the supervision and direction of a senior UX/UI Designer. Because they have less expertise, junior UX Designers will be learning about the UX design process and the functioning of the UX design industry while they carry out tasks and interact with more experienced colleagues.
 

Junior professionals are typically responsible for tasks such as: 

• Wireframing site maps and page layouts 
• Conducting competitive analysis 
• User research 
• Creating design concepts 
• Evaluating user testing results 

The median annual salary for a junior user experience designer is $80,000 to $100,000, depending on their industry niche and portfolio. 

Mid-level UX Designers are more hands-on with projects and take on a larger degree of responsibility for design deliverables. While they have a superior understanding of UX design fundamentals than an entry-level UX Designer, they will be expected to increase their knowledge and find chances to upskill in between their daily activities. 
 

A mid-weight UX Designer will have various responsibilities, including: 

• Designing interaction flows 
• Developing user personas 
• Creating prototypes 
• Overseeing usability testing 

Mid-level UX Designers earn an average of $100,000 to $130,000 in New Zealand. 

Senior UX Designers are often in charge of the overall design strategy and ensuring that designs fulfil business goals and user demands. While their skills will be critical for the project's completion, they will also have to function in a managerial role and oversee the work of other designers as well as take time to mentor and give career advice to junior or even mid-level colleagues. 
 

Responsibilities for Senior UX Designers include: 

• Reviewing completed designs
• Making decisions on design revisions 
• Liaising with cross-functional teams 
• Devising the overall information architecture for a project 
• Coaching junior UX Designers 

In New Zealand, the average base salary for senior-level user experience designers ranges between $120,000 and $145,000. 

For further salary information, use the Hays Salary Checker to benchmark UX Designer wages in New Zealand or start your search for your next UX Designer job with Hays