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Design Research Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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Design Research information

See Minnesota salary details

$36.2K

$103.8K

$139.6K

How much do design research jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for design research in Minnesota is $103,830.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,900.00 and $101,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is design research?

Design research is a field that focuses on understanding users’ needs, behaviors, and experiences to inform and improve the design process. It combines methods from social sciences, such as interviews and observations, with design thinking principles to gather insights that help create user-centered products, services, or systems. Design researchers work closely with designers, product managers, and stakeholders to ensure that solutions are both innovative and practical, ultimately enhancing the user experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Researcher, you need a solid understanding of research methodologies, user experience principles, and data analysis, often supported by a degree in design, psychology, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like UserTesting, Qualtrics, and data visualization software is commonly required. Strong communication, empathy, and critical thinking skills help researchers effectively interpret insights and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure that research findings directly inform user-centered design solutions, leading to better products and experiences.

How does a design researcher typically collaborate with designers and product teams throughout a project?

Design Researchers work closely with designers, product managers, and engineers to ensure user insights are integrated at every stage of the development process. Early in a project, they help define user needs and pain points by conducting interviews, surveys, or usability tests. As the project progresses, they facilitate workshops, share findings through presentations or reports, and recommend design improvements based on research data. Effective communication and a collaborative mindset are essential, as researchers often act as the bridge between users and the product team.

What is the difference between Design Research vs User Experience Designer?

AspectDesign ResearchUser Experience Designer
Primary FocusUnderstanding user needs and behaviors through research methodsDesigning and improving user interfaces and interactions
Required SkillsQualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, user interviewsWireframing, prototyping, visual design, usability testing
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, field studies, collaborative teamsDesign studios, product teams, cross-functional collaboration
Common UsageGathering insights to inform design decisionsCreating user-centered designs based on research findings

While both roles focus on improving user experiences, Design Research primarily involves understanding user needs through research, whereas User Experience Designers apply those insights to create and refine digital interfaces. Both roles often collaborate closely within product teams to ensure user needs are effectively addressed.

How much do design researchers make?

Design researchers typically earn a median annual salary between $70,000 and $110,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level roles may start around $60,000, while senior positions can exceed $130,000, especially in tech or large organizations. Skills in user research, data analysis, and familiarity with tools like Sketch or Figma can influence compensation.

What does a design researcher do?

A design researcher studies user behaviors, needs, and preferences to inform the development of products, services, or interfaces. They use methods such as interviews, surveys, and usability testing, often working closely with designers and product teams to ensure user-centered solutions.

What are popular job titles related to Design Research jobs in Minnesota?

For Design Research jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Design Research jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Design Research job openings:

Infographic showing various Design Research job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,830 per year, or $49.9 per hour.

Experience Design Research Analyst

Best Buy

Saint Paul, MN • On-site, Remote

Full-time

PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Best Buy rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 1,793 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description


As the Experience Design Research Analyst, you will support the research team by collecting, organizing, and analyzing user data to inform product decisions. The Experience Design Research Analyst assists in executing research projects, ensuring data accuracy and thorough documentation of findings. The role involves learning foundational research methodologies, collaborating with more senior researchers, and ensuring that insights are actionable for the broader team. The Experience Research Analyst also contributes to maintaining research quality across projects.
This role is remote eligible, which means you would work virtually from home or other non-Best Buy location.
What you'll do
  • Support senior researchers in planning studies and preparing foundational research materials.
  • Assist in conducting simple research activities, including usability testing, surveys, and basic data collection.
  • Contribute to participant recruitment efforts and coordinate essential research logistics.
  • Aid in the analysis and synthesis of data, producing clear summaries and reports using established frameworks.
  • Present findings to the immediate team to develop professional communication skills.
Basic qualifications
  • Academic or professional experience in a research-related role (e.g., Research Lab Assistant, Research Coordinator, Research Intern)
  • Foundational understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • Familiarity with common research tools or data collection workflows
  • Demonstrated interest in user research through coursework, internships, or related experience
Preferred qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree (4 yr) in Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Science, UX Research, Human Factors, Market Research, Journalism, Design, related field, or equivalent industry experience
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute to research scoping activities to ensure alignment with business needs
  • Proven experience applying foundational research methods and accurately collecting qualitative or quantitative data
  • Experience assisting with analysis, synthesis, and preparation of clear, actionable research summaries or reports
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate respectfully and learn from diverse perspectives
  • Familiarity with gathering and/or analyzing behavioral or operational analytics data and comfort making basic conclusions from it.
  • Foundational understanding of data visualization, including building or maintaining simple dashboards that present metrics clearly (e.g., Adobe Analytics).
  • Demonstrated interest in, exposure to, or experience with experimentation (such as A/B testing) and how it supports design or delivery decisions.
What's in it for you
We're committed to helping our people thrive at work and at home. We offer generous benefits that address your total well-being and provide support as you need it, especially key moments in your life.
Our benefits include:
  • Competitive pay
  • Generous employee discount
  • Physical and mental well-being support
Best Buy provides different types of leaves of absence (LOA) and potential pay sources to employees based on eligibility. The length of your LOA depends on your situation, where you live, your full-time or part-time employment status, and federal and state regulations. Intermittent or reduced-schedule leave is also available for certain medical or family care leaves. Paid time off (vacation or PTO) is offered to full-time and part-time employees based on work location, employment status, salary or hourly status (exempt/non-exempt), and years of continued or bridged service.
Certain roles, where market norms demand it, are eligible for various forms of incentive pay to drive performance and offer recognition for achieving financial and strategic results. For more information about our incentive pay plans, including eligibility, please refer to our Incentive Programs Summary.
For more information about benefits, LOA and paid time off, please refer to our Benefits Guide.
About us
As part of the Best Buy team, you'll help us fulfill our purpose to enrich lives through technology. We bring that to life every day by humanizing and personalizing tech solutions for every stage of life - in our stores, online and in customers' homes.
Our culture is built on deeply supporting and valuing our amazing employees who make it all possible. We're committed to being a great place to work, where you can unlock unique career possibilities. Above all, we aim to provide a place where you can bring your full, authentic self to work now and into the future. Tomorrow works here. ™
Best Buy is an equal opportunity employer
Benefits
Best Buy offers a range of benefits to support your overall well-being, as outlined in the Benefits Guide. Eligibility may vary.

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About BEST BUY

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As part of the Best Buy team, you'll help us fulfill our purpose to enrich lives through technology. We bring that to life every day by humanizing and personalizing tech solutions for every stage of life -- in our stores, online and in customers' homes. Our culture is built on deeply supporting and valuing our amazing employees who make it all possible. We're committed to being a great place to work, where you can unlock unique career possibilities. Above all, we aim to provide a place where you can bring your full, authentic self to work now and into the future. Tomorrow works here.™

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Richfield, MN, US

Year founded

1966