Best Countries For Every Industrial Design Discipline in 2025 [RANKED]

It’s easy to determine the ‘best college/university’ to go to for a particular industry. RCA produces some stellar designers, MIT is the best place for engineers, and Pforzheim is the elite pick for anything automotive. However, determining the best country to work in is a much more challenging task. For example, a budding fashion designer is much more likely to thrive in France than in, say, Ireland. Choosing which country you work in plays a critical role in your career journey. You ideally want to be in a country with a thriving job market, a great salary, and enough exposure that teaches you more than your college ever did… so we decided to make a list.

This list is our most thorough and detailed yet. We’ve looked at a variety of factors to determine which country is best for each design discipline, from salary ranges to who the relevant employers and big players are. We’ve looked at market size, standard of living, and whether working within that country gives you a leg-up in that particular field. It’s easy just crunching salary numbers and currencies, but a healthy job-sphere is a lot more nuanced. It looks at whether the market is open or restricted, whether a designer is likely to get expansive or limited experience and exposure, and finally, whether the salary and lifestyle of the country make it worth it all.

We’ve picked 10 design disciplines and compiled enough data to support the country corresponding to the discipline. Along with each discipline’s ‘top country’, we’ve provided up to 5 more alternatives. These runners-up are great too, offering a variety of high salaries and stellar corporate experience. So bookmark this page for later, or share it with a friend… and remember, this list isn’t gospel. It’s a guide to help you plan your professional journey. Consult it, but don’t swear by it! After all, your journey is yours.

Best Country for Industrial Designers in 2025: Switzerland

Victorinox: Switzerland

Switzerland leads the pack for Industrial Designers with a great balance between reputed companies, great salaries, and a good standard of living in comparison. It’s the global epicenter of watch design, but it is also uniquely positioned to play a big role in the minimalist Scandinavian design movement. Companies like Vitra, Nestlé, and Victorinox are headquartered in Switzerland, influencing the design economy of the country. Following closely on the heels for Industrial Designers are countries like the USA (Apple, Tesla, IDEO, Nike), Finland (Fiskars, Marimekko, Kone, Nokia), Canada (Umbra, Bombardier, Spin Master), and Australia (Fisher & Paykel, Designworks, Breville, Cochlear)

Why Switzerland?

• Highest Average Salary: $86,650-$112,700 USD per year for junior industrial designers (the highest globally for this role).
• Excellent standard of living: Top global rankings for safety, healthcare, and work-life balance.
• Strong job market: Especially in luxury goods, precision engineering, and consumer products.

Top Companies in Switzerland Hiring Industrial Designers

1. Vitra (Renowned for furniture and industrial design, global design collaborations)
2. Rado (Leading Swiss watchmaker, known for innovative materials and design)
3. SIGG (Iconic Swiss manufacturer of reusable bottles and lifestyle products)
4. Swatch Group (Major player in watches and wearable technology)
5. Nestlé (Global food and beverage company with in-house product/industrial design teams)
6. ABB (Leader in robotics, power, and automation tech, often hiring for industrial design in engineering contexts)
7. Victorinox (Famous for Swiss Army knives and travel gear, strong focus on product innovation)

Best Country for UX Designers in 2025: The United States

Apple: USA

It’s no surprise that the US tops the list for the best country to work in as a UX designer. Given that the top tech companies in the world all have their origins in the US, it only makes sense for the job market to exist in the country with its own Silicon Valley. Apart from a great salary, the American Dream drives people to immigrate and live in the United States. FAANG companies (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) and their ilk employ UX designers en masse… although the UX market can also be said to be thriving in countries like the UK (BBC, Barclays, Deliveroo, Dyson), Germany (SAP, Zalando, Siemens, Bosch), Singapore (Grab, Shopee, Sea Group, TikTok), Australia (Atlassian, Canva, Commonwealth Bank, Telstra), and Canada (Shopify, Hootsuite, RBC, Scotiabank).

Why the United States?

• Highest Average Salary: $87,000-$130,000 USD per year for UX Designers (with top roles at major tech companies exceeding $150,000).
• Unmatched job market: The US has the largest number of UX job openings globally, especially in tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Austin.
• Standard of living: High quality of life, world-class cities, and strong expat/immigrant communities. While cost of living is high in major cities, salaries are adjusted accordingly.
• Industry leadership: The US is home to the world’s leading digital product, SaaS, and tech companies, driving demand for UX talent.

Top Companies in the United States Hiring UX Designers

1. Google (Alphabet) (UX roles across Search, Android, YouTube, and hardware)
2. Apple (UX design for iOS, macOS, hardware, and services)
3. Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) (UX for social, VR/AR, and new product verticals)
4. Microsoft (UX for Windows, Office, Surface, Xbox, and cloud products)
5. Amazon (UX for e-commerce, Alexa, AWS, and devices)
6. Adobe (UX for creative software and cloud platforms)
7. Salesforce (UX for enterprise SaaS and cloud solutions)
8. Airbnb (UX for travel, hospitality, and digital services)

Best Country for Consumer Electronics Designers in 2025: China

DJI: China

China ekes out a victory when it comes to consumer electronics designers over the US for a very interesting reason. Sure, the United States is considered a global leader in consumer tech, having the world’s leading tech companies as well as the largest consumer base… but China leads on the manufacturing front overwhelmingly. Cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou are absolute manufacturing hubs, not just of China but of the world. And while the US and countries in the EU pay their designers much more than China does, the Chinese job market is much larger in comparison, offering a vast number of opportunities coupled with a great standard of living. Chinese consumer tech designers can experience much more in just one square kilometer of area than any other country, making it an absolute haven for designers looking to explore the job market. The Chinese consumer tech job-verse features industry giants like Huawei, JDI, Xiaomi, Oppo/Vivo, Lenovo, OnePlus, TCL, and BYD Electronics. Other countries butting heads with China in this domain are obviously the US (Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Sonos, GoPro, HP), South Korea (Samsung, LG, Coway, Hyundai Mobis), Japan (Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, Fujitsu, Nintendo), Taiwan (ASUS, Acer, HTC, Foxconn), and finally, Germany (Bosch, Siemens, Sennheiser, Braun).

Why China?

• Highest Average Salary: Consumer electronics designers in China can earn on average ¥250,000–¥500,000 per year ($35,000–$70,000 USD), with senior roles at top tech companies (e.g., Huawei, DJI) reaching ¥700,000+ ($100,000+ USD). While headline salaries may be higher in the US, China offers more job openings, rapid career progression, and lucrative bonuses at leading firms.
• Industry epicenter: China is the global leader in consumer electronics design and manufacturing, home to the world’s most innovative companies in smartphones, wearables, drones, and smart home devices.
• Job market: Unmatched demand for design talent, with opportunities to work on products that reach hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Fast-paced, high-growth environment with rapid product cycles.
• Standard of living: Major cities like Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing offer a high standard of living, vibrant tech scenes, and international communities. Cost of living is moderate compared to Western tech hubs, and salaries are competitive for skilled designers.
• Work environment: Chinese companies are known for rapid innovation, large multidisciplinary teams, and global ambitions, offering designers the chance to work on cutting-edge projects and see their work shipped at scale.

Top Companies in China Hiring Consumer Electronics Designers

1. Huawei (Global leader in smartphones, wearables, and smart home devices; major design centers in Shenzhen and Shanghai)
2. DJI (World’s #1 drone manufacturer, renowned for industrial and interaction design)
3. Xiaomi (Leading brand in smartphones, IoT, smart home, and lifestyle electronics)
4. OPPO & Vivo (Major smartphone and consumer tech brands with strong design teams)
5. Lenovo (Global PC, tablet, and smart device leader; design centers in Beijing and Shenzhen)
6. OnePlus (Known for premium smartphones and accessories, with a global design focus)
7. TCL (Major player in TVs, smart home, and display technology)
8. BYD Electronics (Leading in mobile components, smart devices, and automotive electronics)
9. Meizu, Realme, Tecno (Fast-growing brands in mobile and lifestyle electronics)

Best Country for Automotive Designers in 2025: Germany

BMW Group: Germany

Is it really a surprise that Germany secures the top spot for Automotive Designers? Even in 2025, Germany leads the front in automotive engineering, although closely followed by competing countries. The world’s second-largest automaker (VW Group) is responsible for this distinction. Although Toyota sells more cars per year than VW’s subsidiaries, Germany gets its edge given the strength of the economy, the standard of living, and the fact that VW’s cars occupy the luxury segment in larger numbers. Automotive designers can alternatively flock to countries like the US (Tesla, Ford, General Motors, FCA/Stellantis), Italy (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Fiat, Pininfarina), Japan (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Lexus), South Korea (Hyundai, Kia, Genesis), or the UK (Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Bentley).

Why Germany?

• Highest Average Salary: Automotive designers in Germany earn on average €60,000-€90,000 ($65,000-$98,000 USD) per year, with senior roles and specialists exceeding €100,000 ($110,000+ USD).
• Industry epicenter: Germany is the global hub for automotive design and engineering, home to the world’s most prestigious car brands and design studios.
• Job market: High demand for automotive designers, especially those with expertise in EVs, UX for in-car systems, and sustainable mobility.
• Standard of living: Germany offers excellent healthcare, infrastructure, public transport, and a high quality of life. Major cities like Munich, Stuttgart, and Wolfsburg are international, safe, and culturally rich.
• Work environment: Strong labor protections, generous vacation, and a collaborative, innovation-driven culture.

Top Companies in Germany Hiring Automotive Designers

1. BMW Group (Global leader in luxury and performance automotive design; headquartered in Munich)
2. Mercedes-Benz Group (Daimler AG) (Iconic for luxury, innovation, and advanced design; based in Stuttgart)
3. Volkswagen Group (World’s largest automaker, with brands including VW, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Bentley; headquartered in Wolfsburg)
4. Audi (Renowned for progressive design and technology; based in Ingolstadt)
5. Porsche (Sports car design and engineering excellence; based in Stuttgart)
6. Bosch (Leading supplier of automotive technology and mobility solutions)

Best Country for Furniture Designers in 2025: Denmark

BoConcept: Denmark

Scandinavian Design is having its moment, and for interior and furniture designers, Denmark seems like the place to be if you want to experience the best the industry has to offer. Danish furniture designers earn an average of $72,500 a year, while also benefiting from the company’s comfortable standard of living, great healthcare, and healthy work-life balance. Fritz Hansen, BoConcept, and Muuto are some of the top companies that make Denmark’s furniture design scene thrive. However, designers can alternatively pick neighboring countries like Italy (Cassina, Poltrona Frau, B&B Italia, Kartell), Sweden (IKEA, Svenskt Tenn, Gärsnäs), Germany (Vitra, Thonet, Walter Knoll), Finland (Artek, Isku, Nikari, Woodnotes), or cross over the Atlantic to the United States (Herman Miller, Knoll, Steelcase, Design Within Reach, Bernhardt Design).

Why Denmark?

• Highest Average Salary: Furniture designers in Denmark earn on average DKK 400,000-600,000 per year ($58,000-$87,000 USD), with senior roles and internationally recognized designers earning more.
• Industry epicenter: Denmark is globally renowned for its furniture and interior design heritage, leading the world in modern, minimalist, and sustainable furniture design.
• Job market: High demand for furniture designers in both established brands and innovative startups, with a strong export market and international collaborations.
• Standard of living: Denmark consistently ranks among the top countries for quality of life, work-life balance, healthcare, and social welfare. Copenhagen and Aarhus are creative, safe, and highly livable cities.
• Work environment: Danish workplaces are known for flat hierarchies, creativity, and a strong focus on sustainability and design excellence.

Top Companies in Denmark Hiring Furniture Designers

1. Fritz Hansen (Iconic Danish furniture brand, known for timeless classics and collaborations with top designers)
2. BoConcept (Global furniture retailer specializing in contemporary Danish design)
3. Hay (Modern design brand with international reach, known for innovative and accessible design)
4. Muuto (Leading contemporary furniture and lighting company, celebrated for new Nordic design)
5. Normann Copenhagen (Renowned for bold, original furniture and home accessories)
6. Carl Hansen & Søn (Classic Danish furniture manufacturer, famous for craftsmanship and heritage)
7. Montana Furniture (Modular furniture systems, strong focus on color and flexibility)
8. Gubi (Known for reissuing iconic mid-century designs and launching new classics)

Best Country for CMF Designers in 2025: Italy

Lamborghini: Italy

While Germany leads in Automotive Design, it’s surprising that Italy takes the mantle of being the best country for a CMF Designer/Strategist. It probably has something to do with the fact that Italy is also one of the leading countries for Fashion, combined with Automobiles. Italy offers an average salary of $65,500 a year to junior/mid-level CMF designers, combined with a good standard of living, a burgeoning culture, and perhaps the best food the EU has to offer (call me prejudiced, sure!) Legacy auto companies like Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini hire CMF designers, but you can find jobs at luxury fashion giants like Gucci, Prada, and Armani. Alternatively, CMF designers could look at jobs in Germany (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, BASF), France (Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, Hermès, Chanel, LVMH), the UK (Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Burberry), the US (Tesla, Ford, General Motors, Herman Miller, Nike, Apple), or Japan (Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Honda, Sony, Muji).

Why Italy?

• Highest Average Salary: CMF Designers in Italy earn on average €45,000-€75,000 per year ($49,000-$82,000 USD), with senior roles and those in luxury automotive or fashion reaching €90,000+ ($98,000+ USD).
• Industry epicenter: Italy is a global leader in luxury automotive, fashion, and furniture design – sectors where CMF expertise is highly valued and celebrated.
• Job market: High demand for CMF Designers in automotive (supercars, luxury vehicles), fashion, and high-end furniture, with a strong tradition of craftsmanship and innovation.
• Standard of living: Italy offers an outstanding quality of life, rich culture, world-class food, and vibrant cities like Milan and Turin, which are design and industry hubs.
• Work environment: Italian companies are known for blending tradition with innovation, offering creative freedom and opportunities to work on globally recognized products.

Top Companies in Italy Hiring CMF Designers

1. Ferrari (Legendary supercar manufacturer, renowned for bespoke color and material programs)
2. Lamborghini (Iconic for bold CMF design in luxury sports cars)
3. Maserati (Luxury automotive brand with a strong focus on interior and finish innovation)
4. Pininfarina (World-famous design house, working across automotive, transportation, and product design)
5. Alcantara (Leading supplier of luxury materials for automotive, fashion, and interiors)
6. Poltrona Frau (High-end furniture and automotive interiors, known for leather and finishes)
7. Gucci, Prada, Armani (Fashion houses with dedicated CMF teams for accessories, interiors, and collaborations)
8. B&B Italia, Cassina (Luxury furniture brands with strong CMF design departments)

Best Country for Interiors/Retail Space Designers in 2025: United Kingdom

Foster + Partners: United Kingdom

I certainly wouldn’t guess the UK as being a haven for interiors and retail space designers, but the data doesn’t lie. The UK stands out as the top destination for interiors/retail space designers in 2025 due to its unique blend of high salaries, global influence, and industry vibrancy. London is a world capital for luxury retail and hospitality, home to internationally renowned agencies and flagship stores. The country’s ecosystem fosters constant innovation, rapid adoption of new design trends, and collaboration with top global brands. Its multicultural cities and prestigious design schools attract leading talent, while the volume of agencies and clients offers abundant job opportunities, career mobility, and portfolio-defining projects. This puts the UK at the top spot for Interior and Retail Space Designers, with jobs at Foster + Partners, Gensler, Heatherwick Studio, etc. providing a range of opportunities. Following the UK are, unsurprisingly, the US (Gensler, Rockwell Group, HOK), Japan (Nendo, Wonderwall, Nomura, Super Potato), Germany (Ippolito Fleitz Group, Blocher Partners, KINZO), Australia (Woods Bagot, Hassell, Bates Smart, Carr Design Group), and France (RDAI (Hermès), Wilmotte & Associés, Malherbe Paris).

Why the United Kingdom?

• Highest Average Salary: Interiors/Retail Space Designers in the UK earn on average £40,000-£70,000 per year ($50,000-$87,000 USD), with senior roles and those in London or at global agencies reaching £80,000+ ($100,000+ USD).
• Industry epicenter: The UK (especially London) is a global leader in retail, hospitality, and commercial interior design, with a strong tradition of innovation and trendsetting in retail experiences.
• Job market: High demand for interior/retail designers in luxury retail, hospitality, commercial spaces, and experiential design, with many international brands headquartered or running European operations from the UK.
• Standard of living: The UK offers a vibrant design culture, world-class cities, and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. London, Manchester, and Edinburgh are creative hubs with diverse opportunities.
• Work environment: The UK design industry is known for its multicultural teams, creative freedom, and opportunities to work on high-profile, international projects.

Top Companies in the United Kingdom Hiring Interiors/Retail Space Designers

1. Foster + Partners (World-renowned architecture and design firm, leading in retail and commercial interiors)
2. Heatherwick Studio (Known for innovative, high-impact retail and public space design)
3. Conran and Partners (Iconic British design studio, specializing in hospitality and retail environments)
4. Dalziel & Pow (Award-winning retail experience agency, working with global brands)
5. Sybarite (Luxury retail design studio, with clients like SKP, Ferrari, and Moncler)
6. Gensler (London office) (Global architecture and design firm, major player in commercial interiors)
7. HMKM (part of Interbrand) (Retail strategy and design, working with brands like Harrods and Selfridges)
8. Sheppard Robson (Large-scale commercial and mixed-use interiors)

Best Country for Service Designers in 2025: The Netherlands

Koos Service Design: The Netherlands

It’s surprising that this list features different countries for different disciplines (although fair warning, the next one is a repeater), but that’s also a true testament to just how diverse this world is, how cultures influence industries, and how they end up creating countries that have somewhat of an edge in certain aspects of the design world. The Netherlands gets the top spot for Service Designers – Service Design is, broadly speaking, the activity of planning and organizing a business’s resources (people, infrastructure, communication, and material components) to improve the quality and interaction between the service provider and customers. It’s no surprise that the country with one of the most well-planned civic systems in the EU, therefore, gets this distinction… and this isn’t just a cultural thing – the Netherlands offers high salaries, a great standard of living, and a wonderful work-life balance, thanks to companies like Fjord & VanBerlo (Both a part of Accenture Song), Koos Service Design, Philips, and ING. Following the Dutch are countries like the UK (Engine Service Design, Livework, Uscreates, Design Council, NHS Digital, Barclays), Sweden (Veryday, Doberman, Volvo Group, IKEA, SEB), Germany (SAP, Deutsche Telekom, BMW, Deutsche Bahn, IXDS), Australia (Meld Studios, Telstra, Commonwealth Bank, Service NSW), and USA (IDEO, Fjord, Continuum, Capital One, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic)

Why The Netherlands?

• Highest Average Salary: Service designers in the Netherlands earn on average €60,000–€95,000 per year ($65,000–$103,000 USD), with senior and lead roles at top consultancies and corporates exceeding €100,000 ($110,000+ USD).
• Industry epicenter: The Netherlands is recognized as a global leader in service design, with a mature ecosystem of design consultancies, innovation labs, and forward-thinking corporates investing in customer experience and service transformation.
• Job market: High demand for service designers in sectors like finance, healthcare, public services, and mobility. Dutch companies and agencies are known for pioneering service design practices and exporting expertise globally.
• Standard of living: The Netherlands offers excellent healthcare, infrastructure, and work-life balance. Cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht are highly international, safe, and culturally vibrant.
• Work environment: Dutch workplaces are collaborative, flat in hierarchy, and emphasize creativity, sustainability, and user-centered innovation.

Top Companies in the Netherlands Hiring Service Designers

1. Fjord (Accenture Song, Amsterdam) (Leading global service design consultancy, working with top brands across industries)
2. Koos Service Design (Renowned Dutch agency specializing in service design and innovation)
3. Livework Studio (International service design consultancy with a strong presence in the Netherlands)
4. VanBerlo (part of Accenture Song) (Leading design and innovation agency, integrating service and product design)
5. Philips (Major healthcare and consumer technology company, investing heavily in service design for digital health and customer experience)
6. ING (Dutch multinational bank, known for its award-winning service design and customer experience teams)
7. Rabobank (Cooperative bank with a strong focus on service innovation in financial services)
8. NS (Dutch Railways) (National railway company, investing in mobility and service transformation)
9. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Pioneer in service design for travel and customer experience)

Best Country for Design Researchers (Industrial/Product/Service) in 2025: Germany

Siemens: Germany

Nobody’s more meticulous than the Germans, so it only makes sense that even though Switzerland gets the winning spot for Industrial Design, Germany still leads when it comes to Design Research (in non-UX roles). All the benefits that apply to the country for Automotive Designers (previously mentioned in the article) apply here too, including even the average salary. I guess the German creative industry values all disciplines equally! Leading employers in Design Research are BMW Group, Siemens, Bosch, VW Group, SAP, Frog Design (Munich), IDEO, and Daimler AG, among others. Following on Germany’s heels are the Netherlands (Philips, VanBerlo, Océ (Canon), Fronteer), Switzerland (Logitech, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), Vitra, Swisscom), Sweden (Electrolux, Volvo Group, IKEA, Veryday), the UK (Dyson, Seymourpowell, PriestmanGoode, Design Council), and the USA (IDEO – Palo Alto, Frog, Smart Design, Herman Miller, 3M, Procter & Gamble).

Why Germany?

• Highest Average Salary: Design researchers in Germany earn on average €60,000–€90,000 per year ($65,000–$98,000 USD), with senior roles at leading firms exceeding €100,000 ($110,000+ USD).
• Industry epicenter: Germany is a global leader in industrial innovation, engineering, and product development, with a strong tradition of integrating design research into manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods sectors.
• Job market: High demand for design researchers in R&D, service design, and strategic innovation teams, especially in automotive, engineering, and technology companies.
• Standard of living: Germany offers excellent healthcare, infrastructure, public transport, and a high quality of life. Cities like Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Hamburg are international, safe, and culturally rich.
• Work environment: German companies are known for rigorous research processes, strong investment in innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration between design, engineering, and business.

Top Companies in Germany Hiring Design Researchers

1. BMW Group (Extensive design research for automotive, mobility, and future transportation)
2. Siemens (Leading in industrial, healthcare, and infrastructure design research)
3. Bosch (Major R&D investment in consumer goods, mobility, and smart home)
4. Volkswagen Group (Design research for automotive, mobility services, and digital innovation)
5. SAP (Service and product design research for enterprise software and digital transformation)
6. Frog Design (Munich) (Global design consultancy with a strong research-driven approach)
7. IDEO (Munich) (Renowned for service and product design research, working with leading German and global brands)
8. Philips Design (Hamburg) (Focused on healthcare and consumer product research)
9. Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group) (Advanced research for automotive and future mobility)

Best Country for UX Researchers in 2025: The United States

Adobe: USA

Here’s the beauty of how one industry influences another. While industrial design is strongly rooted in the EU, digital product design finds itself flourishing in the Silicon Valley of the world. It comes as no surprise that this also means the US leads in the market for UX Research, or the act of supporting UX design agencies with rigorous R&D involving understanding user behaviors, needs, and motivations through observation and feedback methodologies to inform the design of products and services. Companies like Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, IBM, Salesforce, IDEO, and Adobe recruit UX researchers galore, although the US isn’t alone in this regard. It’s followed by the UK (BBC, Barclays, Dyson, Tesco, Wise, Monzo, NHS Digital, Fjord (Accenture), McKinsey Digital), Germany (SAP, Zalando, Siemens, BMW, Bosch, Deutsche Telekom, N26), Australia (Atlassian, Canva, Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, Seek), Singapore (Grab, Shopee, Sea Group, DBS Bank, GovTech, Lazada, TikTok), and Canada (Shopify, Hootsuite, RBC, Scotiabank, Telus, Wealthsimple).

Why the United States?

• Highest Average Salary: Design Researchers (often titled UX Researchers or User Researchers) in the US earn on average $100,000–$145,000 USD per year, with senior/principal roles at top tech companies reaching $160,000+ USD.
• Job market: The US has the largest number of open roles for design/user researchers, especially in tech, healthcare, finance, and consulting.
• Standard of living: High quality of life, world-class cities, and strong professional networks. The US offers a diverse, innovative work environment and excellent career progression.
• Industry leadership: The US leads in digital product development, service design, and human-centered innovation, making it the global hub for design research.

Top Companies in the United States Hiring Design Researchers

1. Google (Alphabet) (User Experience Research for Search, Android, YouTube, and hardware)
2. Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Reality Labs) (Research for social, VR/AR, and AI-driven products)
3. Microsoft (Research for Windows, Office, Surface, Xbox, and enterprise solutions)
4. Apple (Human factors, usability, and design research for hardware/software)
5. Amazon (Research for Alexa, e-commerce, AWS, and device ecosystems)
6. IBM (Research for enterprise, AI, and consulting)
7. Salesforce (User research for SaaS and cloud platforms)
8. IDEO (Leading design consultancy, pioneering user-centered research)
9. Airbnb (Research for travel, hospitality, and digital services)
10. Adobe (Research for creative software and cloud products)

Also Read: Top 10 Highest Paying Product Design Jobs and Fields