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UX Research Lead Salary in the United States

How much does an UX Research Lead make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an UX Research Lead in the United States is $96,319 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, an UX Research Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $119,321
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,101 to $108,359
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $78,708
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence UX Research Lead Salaries

An UX Research Lead's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do UX Research Lead Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract UX Research Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $106,644.
  • California: $106,240.
  • Massachusetts: $104,824.

Top Paying Cities for UX Research Leads

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $121,487
  • San Francisco: $120,157
  • Oakland: $117,625

What Skills Can Increase an UX Research Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.04% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Organic Search (Mentioned in 4.19% Job Postings): Organic search, also known as natural search, refers to unpaid search results. In contrast to paid search results (pay-per-click advertising).
  • KPI (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): KPI stands for key performance indicator, a quantifiable measure of performance over time for a specific objective.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.04%
Organic Search 4.19%
KPI 1.86%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an UX Research Lead's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • B2B: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $101,135
5%
B2B $100,172
4%
Initiative $100,172
4%
Get Latest Data

UX Research Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For UX Research Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 38% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, UX Research Lead positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view UX Research Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an UX Research Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$113,656$55.018%
Biotechnology$112,693$54.017%
Financial Services$110,767$53.015%
Internet$107,877$52.012%
Energy & Utilities$105,951$51.010%

UX Research Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an UX Research Lead's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$87,101
Average $96,319/year
$108,359
$7,258
Average $8,027/month
$9,030
$1,675
Average $1,852/week
$2,084
$42
Average $46/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $108,359 $9,030 $2,084 $52
Average $96,319 $8,027 $1,852 $46
25th Percentile $87,101 $7,258 $1,675 $42

Most common benefits for UX Research Lead

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for UX Research Lead

Here are companies hiring for UX Research Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about UX Research Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for UX Research Lead?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for UX Research Lead roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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