Creating a website or software application involves many considerations about UX or user experience. A user experience analyst, or UX analyst gathers and analyzes user-related data to decide the software’s user-friendliness.
To pursue a UX analyst career, it is helpful to understand what the role entails and requirements you need to meet. We will define the UX analyst role, describe the skills you must have, and discuss the steps you will take to enter this field.
Job Description
What Is A UX Analyst?
UX analysts, or usability analysts, are members of UX design teams who study data to determine how users engage with software, website, or application.
UX is short for “user experience,” referring to a user’s overall impression of software regarding factors like aesthetic qualities, functionality, and ease of use.
The primary aim of the UX analyst is to make an intuitive and easy experience, such as minimizing the steps users must take to complete a task or removing obstacles that interfere with usability.
These experts can also measure the quality of a user’s experience by checking metrics such as:
- User satisfaction is a subjective metric that users submit via a survey.
- The error rate is the number of times the user enacts or encounters an error within a specific period. If users can’t successfully enter their credit card information to finish a transaction online, this will qualify as an error.
- Time refers to how long users finish their desired task. For example, a shorter period will likely result in improved UX.
- Success rate refers to a measure of whether users can complete their desired task. If the task is to utilize a credit card to buy a product, a successful experience will see users do the job without difficulty.
Roles and Responsibilities
The specific responsibilities of UX analysts are likely to vary on the project requirements. However, the duties of the position typically include:
- Understand and use many methods to measure user experience.
- Plan and execute tests to assess the usability of software in development.
- Examine existing software products and identify usability issues.
- Analyze the findings from usability tests.
- Share data with other members of a UX team, such as architects and researchers.
- Help to establish standards for user interface design.
- Provide actionable insight based on the data.
Where Do User Experience Analysts Work?
User experience analysts often work full-time at companies, organizations, and agency units. Besides, they can also do freelance work to be more proactive about their working time.
Each model has advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the orientation and development goals, each user experience analyst will choose the right environment for them.
They will work regular office hours from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Yet, there may be some evening and weekend work to meet deadlines. Short-term contracts and freelance and part-time work opportunities are available.
Education Requirements
Regarding a job in the field of UX, formal education is not strictly essential. Most employers prefer that their candidates have at least a bachelor’s degree.
UX experts often enter this field with a bachelor’s degree in a UX-related subject, such as computer science, UI design, information systems, web programming, or graphic design.
In addition, you should also hone your experience and skills by taking online courses. Consider options that give you a certificate upon completion.
Essential Skills
Soft skills
- Empathy.
- Critical thinking.
- Curiosity and continuous learning.
- Interpersonal, collaborative, and communication skills.
Industry-specific UX designer skills
- UX writing.
- User testing.
- Visual communication and UI.
- Wireframing and prototyping.
Crossover skills
- Business acumen.
- Customer service.
- Coding and development.
- Research skills and analytics.
Essential Tools
UX analytics tools can help you greatly in your user experience analyst career.
- Smartlook.
- Google Analytics.
- Adobe Analytics.
- Mixpanel.
- Hotjar.
- Crazy Egg.
- UXCam.
Job Outlook
UX analyst work is part of the fastest growing career fields in the US for reasons that should come as little surprise.
If you have been on the fence about pursuing a career in UX analysis, rest assured that your prospects as a new UX expert are promising, especially if you can cultivate skills that set you apart.
The demand is high and will increase as the need for exceptional usability and intuitive digital products and services continues to soar.
Salary
The average annual salary for a UX Analyst in the US is $80,558 per year. It equates to $38.73 per hour, $1,549 per week, or $6,713 per month.
Most UX Analyst salaries range from $43,000 to $107,500, with top earners earning $137,000 annually across the US.
The average salary range for UX Analysts varied dramatically (by as much as $64,500), suggesting there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on location, years of experience, and skill level.
Advantages and Disadvantages
- Attractive salary.
- There is an option to work remotely.
- The demand for UX experts is always high.
- Help craft relevant experiences for the user of products.
- The job is often stressful.
- The job market in this field is saturated.
FAQs
Where Did the Term UX Come From?
The term “Centering design around human interactions” has existed for a long period, but the phrase “UX design” was introduced in 1988 when Don Norman first used it in the book The Design of Everyday Things.
Then, Norman was the first one to have “user experience” in his job title when becoming the User Experience Architect at Apple in the 1990s.
How to Become a UX Analyst?
There are no certification requirements or standard education you have to meet to become a UX analyst. Still, there are specific steps you can take to enhance your candidacy for the UX analyst role.
You can follow the steps to elevate your chances of entering the UX analyst field:
Step 1. Get a Bachelor’s Degree
Regarding a job in the UX field, formal education is not strictly required, but many employers favor candidates with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
UX professionals typically enter this field with a bachelor’s degree in a UX-related subject, such as information systems, computer science, UI design, graphic design, or web programming.
Apart from a tech major, these experts may also minor and double-major in a subject that can concern human behavior, such as sociology or psychology.
Step 2: Get Professional Experience.
Most job listings for UX analysts require candidates to have at least two years of experience in UX. To get that experience, you should take a related position in UX design or a related field. Here are some roles you may consider:
- UX writer.
- UX designer.
- UX researcher.
- Product designer.
- Information architect.
The experience you get in those occupations lets you implement your learning and develop hands-on knowledge that can be applied to your role as a UX analyst.
Step 3. Join Attend Events and a Professional Organization
Joining professional organizations can allow you to receive valuable information. Here are some established organizations related to UX:
- SIGCHI – Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction.
- UXPA – User Experience Professionals Association.
- HFES – Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
Step 4: Gain Certified
Similar to a bachelor’s degree, certification is optional but can improve your candidacy for the UX analyst position when you work from an entry-level role.
Many courses are available to help you prepare but are not required. Consider options that give you a certificate upon completion. You should earn certification to show you understand UX analysts’ principles in their work.
What Are the Most Common Job Titles in the UX Field?
- UX Designer
- UX Researcher
- Usability Tester
- User Researcher
- Interaction Designer
- Experience Designer
- Information Architect
- UX Analyst.
- UX Engineer.
- UX Strategist.
- UX Developer.
- UX Architect.
- Information Architect.
- UX Product Manager.
- Visual Designer.
- Product Designer.
- Content Strategist.
Can UX Analysts Work From Home?
Many UX analysts work remotely, but it usually depends on their employer. Analytical UX is a remote-friendly occupation as it is a mostly digital-based job requiring internet and software tools.
The rising popularity of games, websites, internet applications, and other programs also leads to various in-demand businesses accepting remote positions from candidates.
Organizations always try to find desirable employees, so they usually look for experts across the country or globally for remote jobs.
Here is a list of several common benefits you may enjoy while working remotely as a UX analyst:
- Related expenses.
- Increased rest time.
- Minimal or no dress code.
- Increased time with family.
- Minimal or no commute time.
- Increased schedule or job flexibility.
- Limited distractions from office coworkers.
- Reduced costs for gas, lunch supplies, and other expenses.
Is UX a Stressful Job?
UX design is a field that may be so stressful. Sometimes, there are many deadlines, so these professionals have to work overtime to meet the deadline.
Is UX a Lot of Coding?
The short answer is no. UX analysis does not require coding. However, there are occasions where learning to code can give you a leg up on the competition.
Is a UX Career Worth It?
UX is one of the top careers in demand right now! Demand for UX experts is rising. UX analyst was ranked by both LinkedIn and Glassdoor as one of the top 50 jobs to have in 2022 and one of the top 5 most in-demand skills for 2020.
What are the Differences between UI vs. UX?
Here are some key takeaways about the differences between UI and UX:
- UI design typically determines how a mobile app, software product, or website will look and feel.
- UX focuses more on how the product will solve pain points or problems for the user.
- UI design will put heavy emphasis on software performance, while UX design transcends to the enter customer journey. UI design only involves what is happening on the screen of a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
- UX goes beyond the screen and includes all brand touchpoints & interactions with target users.
- UI design will prioritize on-screen elements of the interface of the product.
- UX design involves user testing, prototyping, market research, development, and more.
Career Advice
Hopefully, you now clearly understand the user experience analyst position and the challenges and opportunities you might face as a UX Analyst.
The rapid growth of the internet, technology, and social media is integral to giving consumers greater purchasing power and higher expectations when interacting with digital products.
Creating enjoyable, thoughtful, and inclusive user experiences have never been more critical. So, as a UX analyst, you can have a hand in shaping the services and products of the future.