How to Find a Remote UX Job (Even as a Beginner)

Interested in finding a remote UX job? You’re in luck! 

Remote work is in high demand across all industries, with roughly 12.7% of employees working from home full-time and 28.2% working a hybrid schedule. The trend is particularly common in tech-forward careers like UI/UX design, with plenty of remote opportunities available for those who know how to find them. 

Opting for a remote UX job provides you with a lot more flexibility in your career – a big win for students, working mothers, and part-time workers who cannot commit to a traditional in-house gig. It also widens your pool of potential jobs, giving you access to UX design positions nationwide instead of just in your city or state. 

Below, we’re sharing some of our top tips for scoring a remote UX job, including helpful guidance that entry-level and experienced designers can use to their advantage when searching for a remote position. 

Table of Contents:

• Can UX Designers Work Remotely?

• Shifting Trends in the UX Design Job Market

• Benefits of a Remote UX Design Position

• How Much Can a Remote UX Designer Make?

• Tips for Finding a Remote UX Job

• Explore the UX Course List and Job Board

Can UX Designers Work Remotely?

Yes, UX designers can do their work remotely. Most, if not all, of the tasks involved in UX design are done online or via internal apps. There are also tons of digital collaboration tools that keep everyone connected when they’re not sharing a workspace. 

Many companies recognize how well-suited UX design is to remote work. Hiring practices have followed suit, and it’s not rare to see UX design teams spread out across the country – or even across an ocean. 

Shifting Trends in the UX Design Job Market

Remote opportunities abound in the UI/UX design job market. This is largely due to increased acceptance of remote work, but that’s not the whole story.

The main trends driving the job market toward remote opportunities include:

• Increased availability and adoption of remote work tools

• Employee preferences for remote work

• Rise in freelance and contract roles

As demand for UX designers has increased, businesses are willing to attract top talent through remote work capabilities. At the same time, we’ve seen a huge boom in remote UX design tools that allow professionals to brainstorm, build, and collaborate without leaving home. 

Also in play is the post-pandemic surge in freelance and contract-based positions. Rather than sign on for a permanent position, UX designers are steadily picking up more freelance and contract gigs, both of which are strongly linked with remote work. 

Benefits of a Remote UX Design Position

Remote UX job openings can be found in most industries, including finance, education, entertainment, and healthcare. Designers that go this route stand to enjoy significantly more freedom in their day-to-day, plus a few other big benefits that continue to make remote work an attractive choice. 

Increased Work-Life Balance

What do you get when you remove a commute and 9-5 expectations from your day? A whole lot more time to live your life. Remote UX jobs offer a flexible schedule, with much leeway over when and how you work. So long as you meet deadlines and remain available for meetings, you’ll have more time to focus on your home, your family, and your own well-being. 

Expanded Talent Pool and Diverse Perspectives

By removing the barrier of geography, companies open up the floor to more – and more diverse – UX design talent. This is good news for women, working mothers, immigrants, and minorities who face significant barriers to entry into tech. It’s also good for UX designers themselves, who get to experience the many advantages that come with more diversity in the workplace. 

Boosted Productivity

Remote workers tend to work longer hours than their in-office peers. At the same time, they often report feeling more fulfilled and less stressed in their job. How can all of this be true? It comes down to the quality of the time being spent, with workers in UX design and other fields being more productive when they can take breaks, work where they’re most comfortable, and eliminate the distractions of a crowded office. 

How Much Can a Remote UX Designer Make?

The average salary for a remote UX job is $106,224, according to ZipRecruiter, which is comparable to the yearly salary of a UX designer who works in the office. 

Working remotely in UX design pays well and lets you keep more money in your pocket since you don’t have to commit to living in a high-cost tech hub. Better yet, it allows you to qualify for more of the high-paying jobs that are out there, regardless of what’s available in your local job market. 

Tips for Finding a Remote UX Job

Now that you know why remote UX design work is worth it, let’s talk about how to nab those desirable remote jobs in the first place.

Note that there is a lot of demand for UX design expertise, and there’s also a lot of competition in the field. Your goal is to take targeted steps to stand out from your peers and increase your chances of remote job success. And there are several ways you can go about doing that. 

• Familiarize yourself with remote tools and processes – You’ll do lots of on-the-job learning regarding remote applications, but it’s a big advantage to come in the door with a basic understanding of the tools and processes remote UX designers are using.

• Look in the right places – Designated UX job boards and networking sites are one-stop shops for searching available remote positions, and they’re a lot easier to navigate than more general job aggregator sites. 

• Find a mentor – Networking with other remote UX designers is always a good idea. Even better though is to seek out UX design mentorship programs so you have an experienced guide who can help you nail those remote job applications and interviews. 

• Improve your skills – Whether in person or online, UX/UI design courses and workshops are a fantastic way to begin or expand your studies. If you’re just starting out, consider taking a comprehensive course that includes not just foundational skills but portfolio refinement and career counseling as well. 

• Polish your portfolio – It’s your portfolio that’s going to show potential remote employers what you really bring to the table, so make sure it shines bright and gives a strong overview of all that you can do. 

Explore the UX Course List and Job Board

The best time to start your career in UX design is right now. At Ideate Labs, we can help you do it with self-paced UI/UX courses and 1:1 mentorships with seasoned UX designers. Popular options include our “Design MBA” course, a four-month, part-time program that includes weekly design therapy sessions, interactive classwork and discussions, and so much more. 

While you’re here, be sure to explore our UI/UX job board and search for available remote UX job opportunities. You’ll find the latest in exclusive remote and in-person UX design positions, with new jobs posted regularly.