How to become a UX Researcher

Becoming a UX Researcher is an in-demand career path. It requires deep expertise in UX Research and a strong network to carry you along. Here are some resources to help you on your journey.

Find mentors at
Airbnb
Amazon
Meta
Microsoft
Spotify
Uber

Why should you become a
UX Researcher?

Demand for experts in UX Research is growing rapidly. Companies are looking for people with deep expertise in the field of UX Research to help them build their products and services.

As a result, UX Researchers are in high demand and command high salaries. According to leading sources, the median salary for a UX Researcher is $86,000 and a senior UX Researcher can earn up to $112,000. Even entry-level positions can command great salaries.

No wonder that interest in a career in UX Research is growing rapidly. Explore the resources below to learn more about how to become a UX Researcher.

UX Researcher

Your UX Researcher Journey

Everything you need to start your career in UX Research.

Best books to build UX Research understanding

A well-written and thorough book can be an amazing path to build deeper understanding and also act as a handbook as you discover the internet's vast resources.

These are our and our experts top picks to get started building career-relevant skills.

The User Experience Team of One

The User Experience Team of One

The User Experience Team of One prescribes a range of approaches that have big impact and take less time and fewer resources than the standard lineup of UX deliverables. Whether you want to cross over into user experience or you're a seasoned practitioner trying to drag your organization forward…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Just Enough Research

Just Enough Research

Good research is about asking more and better questions, and thinking critically about the answers. Done well, it will save your team time and money by reducing unknowns and creating a solid foundation to build the right thing, in the most effective way.

Erika Hall distills her experienc…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

User Research: Improve Product and Service Design

User Research: Improve Product and Service Design

User experience research, also known as UX research, focuses on understanding user behaviours, needs and motivations through a range of observational techniques, task analysis and other methodologies. User Research is a practical guide that shows readers how to use the vast array of user researc…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

UX Research: Practical Techniques for Designing Better Products

UX Research: Practical Techniques for Designing Better Products

One key responsibility of product designers and UX practitioners is to conduct formal and informal research to clarify design decisions and business needs. But there’s often mystery around product research, with the feeling that you need to be a research Zen master to gather anything useful. Fac…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Building User Research Teams ( Advanced )

Building User Research Teams ( Advanced )

Starting or growing a research team? Upgrade your UX Research and make successful products. Successful products require good decisions. Good decisions need good information. User researchers run robust and repeatable studies to find that information, but they need some tools and support to get s…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Research Practice: Perspectives from UX researchers in a changing field ( Advanced )

Research Practice: Perspectives from UX researchers in a changing field ( Advanced )

While other research books offer standard operating procedures, this book provides something more durable in the real world. It’s a practical field guide that will give you the encouragement to get started, no matter what your background. Research Practice captures the day-to-day of the practice…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Courses to deepen your UX Research skills

These days, courses are no longer a sequence of videos. They are usually accompanied by projects and a learning community, keeping you accountable and on the path.

Our experts recommend these courses, from free selections to paid programs.

Becoming a UX Strategist

As the User Experience profession continues to mature, new and exciting career opportunities are emerging. In this course we’ll explore the developing role of the UX Strategist. We’ll look at how it’s different from other UX roles. We’ll map out who UX Strategists typically work for and collabo…

Available on nngroup.com

Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts

Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts is the fourth course in a certificate program that will equip you with the skills you need to apply to entry-level jobs in user experience (UX) design. In this course, you will learn how to plan and conduct a usability study to gather feedback about de…

Available on coursera.org

UX Research for Beginners

Welcome to your UX Research for Beginners Course. In the following six tutorials, you'll get a thorough introduction to UX research, from its definition, areas and origins through to the skills you need to build a professional portfolio and become a UX researcher. Each UX research tutorial consi…

Available on provider

User Experience Research and Design Specialization

Integrate UX Research and UX Design to create great products through understanding user needs, rapidly generating prototypes, and evaluating design concepts. Learners will gain hands-on experience with taking a product from initial concept, through user research, ideation and refinement, formal …

Available on coursera.org

Get help with your learning journey

Learning through online courses can be challenging. Get 1:1 guidance from an experienced mentor who can help you stay accountable and answer your questions along the way.

NN/g UX Certification

Prove that you successfully completed UX training. With a customizable curriculum and flexible schedule, NN/g's UX Certification has helped thousands of professionals build UX skills or start their careers.

Available on nngroup.com

How to Use AI and ChatGPT for Efficient UX Research

A step-by-step guide to implementing AI Tools into your UX Research process for faster, more accurate customer insights

Available on udemy.com

Top UX Research Certifications

Mastering the fundamentals of UX Research will help you earn valuable certifications. Our expert mentors can guide you through the certification process and help strengthen your knowledge.

User Experience Research and Design Specialization

Integrate UX Research and UX Design to create great products through understanding user needs, rapidly generating prototypes, and evaluating design concepts. Learners will gain hands-on experience with taking a product from initial concept, through user research, ideation and refinement, formal ana…

UX Research Certification Coaching

Consider reaching out to a coach specialized in UX Research certifications. They can help you prepare for your exam, and provide you with the necessary resources to succeed. MentorCruise is the best place to find a coach for your UX Research certification.

HECMontrealX: UX Research

In this MOOC you will learn how to connect with users at every step of a digital product’s life and how to develop empathy and recognize insights that will nourish the design and evaluation processes. Prices start at $369.

Interaction Design Specialization

You will learn how to design technologies that bring people joy, rather than frustration. You'll learn how to generate design ideas, techniques for quickly prototyping them, and how to use prototypes to get feedback from other stakeholders like your teammates, clients, and users. You'll also learn …

Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts

Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts is the fourth course in a certificate program that will equip you with the skills you need to apply to entry-level jobs in user experience (UX) design. In this course, you will learn how to plan and conduct a usability study to gather feedback about desig…

Google UX Design Certificate

Get started in the fast-growing field of user experience (UX) design with a professional certificate developed by Google. Learn the foundations of UX design, including empathizing with users, building wireframes and prototypes, and conducting research to test your designs. Prices start at $39.

UX Research Workshop

Consider joining a workshop specialized in UX Research. Workshops are a great way to learn new skills, and get hands-on experience. MentorCruise is the best place to find a workshop for your UX Research certification.

User Interface Design Specialization

In this Specialization, you will learn industry-standard theory and methods for developing successful user interfaces (UIs). Upon completing this Specialization, you will have fluency with the user research, prototyping and evaluation techniques necessary for creating intuitive interfaces that faci…

Reach goals faster with long-term guidance

Reach goals faster with long-term guidance

One-off advice can be helpful – but partnering with a dedicated expert means faster decisions, fewer mistakes, and real momentum on your most important projects.

Save money with targeted expertise

Save money with targeted expertise

Instead of dropping thousands on bootcamps or generic tools, you get curated advice, tailored learning plans, and real accountability – all from someone who's already done what you're trying to do.

Stay on track with regular check-ins

Stay on track with regular check-ins

Weekly or monthly sessions give structure to your growth. No more second-guessing or getting stuck – just small, consistent steps toward real progress, with someone keeping you accountable.

Make confident moves with real-world feedback

Make confident moves with real-world feedback

Experts don't just answer questions – they help you practice interviews, review your resume or portfolio, and offer industry-specific insights you won't get from a course or blog post.

Still not convinced? Don't just take our word for it

We've already delivered 1-on-1 mentorship to thousands of students, professionals, managers and executives. Even better, they've left an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 for our mentors.

Find a mentor

Ready to take the next step toward becoming a UX Researcher?

Don't just guess your way there. Work with someone who's done it – and help get there 2x faster.

Personalized guidance

Leadership-level feedback

Flexible support formats

Ready to see what a UX Researcher mentor can do for you?

Start with a discovery call or browse trainers to see who fits your needs.

Tailored training plans for your team’s goals

Flexible formats and scheduling

Get started with a free trial

Find a mentor
End CTA