1

User Experience Researcher Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Everforth ECS is seeking a UX Researcher to work in the National Capital Region covering the Pentagon, Falls Church, and Fairfax . Please Note: This position is contingent upon contract award. The ...

Principal UX Researcher

Arlington, VA · On-site

$230K - $320K/yr

We're looking for a Principal UX Researcher, to serve as the most senior researcher on the Product Design team, reporting directly to the VP of Design . This role will define BetterUp's research ...

BRMi is seeking a UX Researcher to assist in planning, leading and formulating user-centered design strategies and solutions for experiences and initiatives using insights and inputs gathered from ...

User Research & Analysis - Plan and conduct user research activities including interviews ... Minimum 8 years of experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 7 years of experience with a Masters ...

UI/UX Engineer

Mclean, VA

$95K - $118K/yr

User Research & Analysis * Plan and conduct user research activities including interviews ... Lead UX and UI efforts for complex, high-visibility applications. * Define, maintain, and evolve ...

User Research & Analysis * Plan and conduct user research activities including interviews ... Lead UX and UI efforts for complex, high-visibility applications. * Define, maintain, and evolve ...

User Research & Analysis Plan and conduct user research activities including interviews, usability ... Create service blueprints and end-to-end experience maps to align cross-functional teams. UI Design ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

User Experience Researcher information

See Reston, VA salary details

$31.2K

$117.7K

$171.1K

How much do user experience researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for user experience researcher in Reston, VA is $117,666.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,700.00 and $160,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a User Experience Researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a User Experience Researcher, you need a strong understanding of research methodologies, human-centered design principles, and often a background in psychology, HCI, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as usability testing platforms, survey software, and data analysis tools like SPSS or Excel is typically required. Excellent communication, empathy, and analytical thinking help researchers connect with users and translate findings into actionable insights. These skills are crucial for creating user-friendly products that meet real user needs and drive business success.

What is the difference between User Experience Researcher vs UX Designer?

AspectUser Experience ResearcherUX Designer
Primary FocusGathering user insights, conducting research, understanding user needsDesigning user interfaces, creating wireframes, developing visual layouts
Skills & CredentialsResearch methods, data analysis, user interviews, surveysDesign tools, prototyping, visual design, user flows
Work EnvironmentResearch teams, usability labs, user testing sessionsDesign teams, collaboration with developers and product managers
GoalsIdentify user needs, inform design decisions, improve user satisfactionCreate engaging, intuitive interfaces that meet user needs

While both roles focus on enhancing user experience, the User Experience Researcher primarily conducts research to gather insights about users, whereas the UX Designer focuses on creating the visual and interactive aspects of products. Both roles often collaborate closely to ensure the final product aligns with user needs and expectations.

What is the salary of an UX researcher?

The salary of a User Experience Researcher typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Entry-level roles may start lower, while experienced researchers or those in senior positions can earn higher salaries, often with additional benefits and bonuses.

What does a UX researcher do?

A UX researcher studies how users interact with products or services to identify their needs, preferences, and pain points. They use methods like interviews, surveys, and usability testing to gather data, which helps design teams improve user experience and product effectiveness.

What are User Experience Researchers?

User Experience (UX) Researchers are professionals who study how users interact with products, services, or systems to understand their needs, behaviors, and challenges. They use a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods, such as interviews, usability tests, and surveys, to gather insights about users. The findings from their research help design teams create more effective, user-friendly products. UX Researchers play a crucial role in ensuring that products meet user needs and provide a positive experience. Their work often involves close collaboration with designers, developers, and product managers.

What Does a User Experience Researcher Do?

A user experience researcher works in various industries to understand the interaction between a product or service and the targeted audience. In this position, your duties are to research user behavior, identify customers’ needs, and provide an analysis to improve the user experience (UX). You may use surveys, interviews, and other methods to test audience interaction and gather information. You then develop reports on how to improve a product or service to make it more user-friendly. Your responsibilities are to help a company understand what motivates consumers to choose a specific item or service and how to market these goods in a way that will increase sales.

Is AI replacing UX research?

AI tools are increasingly used to assist UX researchers by analyzing large data sets and identifying patterns, but they do not replace the need for human insight, empathy, and contextual understanding. UX research relies on qualitative methods like user interviews and usability testing that require human judgment, which AI cannot fully replicate. Therefore, AI serves as a complement rather than a replacement for UX researchers' skills and expertise.

Is it hard to find a job as an UX researcher?

Finding a job as a UX researcher can be competitive, but demand for user experience professionals is growing as companies prioritize user-centered design. Strong skills in research methods, data analysis, and familiarity with tools like usability testing and wireframing can improve job prospects, often requiring a portfolio or relevant certifications.

How do User Experience Researchers typically collaborate with designers and product managers throughout a product development cycle?

User Experience Researchers work closely with designers and product managers from the early ideation phase through to product launch. They conduct user studies to identify pain points and needs, then share actionable insights with the design team to inform wireframes and prototypes. Throughout development, they facilitate communication between stakeholders by presenting findings, leading workshops, and ensuring user feedback is integrated into product decisions. This cross-functional partnership helps create user-centric solutions and fosters continuous improvement.
What are the most commonly searched types of User Experience Researcher jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of User Experience Researcher jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to User Experience Researcher jobs in Reston, VA? For User Experience Researcher jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching User Experience Researcher jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for User Experience Researcher jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for User Experience Researcher jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most User Experience Researcher job openings:
Infographic showing various User Experience Researcher job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 20% In-person, 40% Hybrid, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,666 per year, or $56.6 per hour.
Senior User Experience Researcher (Hybrid)

Senior User Experience Researcher (Hybrid)

M&T Bank

Washington, DC

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


M&T Bank rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 183 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 149 rated banks


Job description

About the Role

We are seeking a proactive Senior UX Researcher to shape customer- and banker-facing experiences.This person willdeliver actionable research that influences business decisions,drives innovation, and improves user experiences.The ideal candidate has experience researching digital products for both customer and employee audiences.You'llcollaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure our products are intuitive, inclusive, drive business value, and are aligned with real user needs.

Overview:

Creates deep understanding and empathy around user needs across product teams, including designers, product managers, and engineers. Designs and executes primary research to explore user behaviors and motivations throughsurveys, ethnography,in depthinterviews, concept testing, stakeholder interviews, workshop facilitation, usability testing,andheuristic evaluations.Comfortable triangulating data across multiple sources, including voice of the customer, employee feedback, and behavioral data. Translates insights into actionable recommendations that inform the development of new products and features and drive continuous innovation of existing experiences. Delivers clear, compelling written, visual, and in-person presentations to support decision-making at all stages of product development.

Work Model & Office Locations:

This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring onsite presence four days per week at one of M&T Bank's regional offices. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance to one of the following locations:

  • 345 Main Street, Buffalo, NY

  • 115 Federal Street, Boston, MA

  • 1 Light Street, Baltimore, MD

  • 1350 I Street NW, Washington, DC

  • 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE

  • 277 Park Avenue, New York, NY

  • 850 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT

  • 77 Pine Street, Burlington, VT

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Establish and evolve a consistent research discipline to generate deep insights into user interactions with modern financial products and strengthen understanding of current and prospective customers.

  • Drive definition of user problem statement and alignment around it

  • Confidently engages cross-functional teams through research practices, educating them throughout, and ensuring that findings are implemented.

  • Apply best practices and method excellence across generative and evaluative mixed-methods research.

  • Provide guidance and mentorship to others conducting research and applyappropriaterigor.

  • Guide design leads on clear disciplined prioritization decisions, deciding whatresearch totake on vs. defer, with strong judgment on where to say no.

  • Employ a range of UX Research methodologies (e.g.surveys, ethnography,in depthinterviews, concept testing, stakeholder interviews, workshop facilitation, usability testing, heuristic evaluations, etc.)

  • Perform sophisticated, rigorous analysis of research data with a point of view that shows salient patterns with frameworks and meaningful insights

  • Build andmaintaina strong partnership with Market Researchand analytics teamstoleverageexistinginsights, stay aligned across scheduled researcheffortsand inform the Company's overall understanding of user needs and expectations.

  • Communicate research resultsthrough effective storytelling,that drives changes in business or experience strategy and helpdefiniea new vision for the future.

  • Understand and adhere to the Company's risk and regulatory standards,policiesand controlsin accordance withthe Company's Risk Appetite.Identifyrisk-related issues needing escalation to management.

  • Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.

  • Maintain M&T internal control standards, includingtimelyimplementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.

  • Complete other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibilities:

At M&T Bank, user experience (UX) is at the forefront of how we create intuitive,innovativeand visually appealing products that people love. The Sr UX Researcher strives to learn and understand our users' needs, behaviors, and emotions to yield insights that inform product strategy and guide design of the experiences created. You will develop relationships and work closely with leaders in Product Management, Software Engineering, Marketing, and Business to solve complex challenges and craft powerful experiences that highlight our products' unique capabilities and personalities.

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years' related experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 9 years' higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 5 years' related experience

Background in the user experience researcher field, designing and conducting user research studies and applying design-thinking methodologies

Prior experience with innovative thinking, the value of research and working with stakeholders to deliver results

Strong understanding of strengths and shortcomings of different research methods, including when and how to apply them during product development processes

Experience dealing with ambiguity andleveragingdesign researchas a means tobring clarity to abstract ideas

Experience with accessibility standards, cross-platform issues, mobile userinterfacesand systems-thinking

Experience using modern design, prototyping and collaboration tools(e.g.Figma,UserTesting, Miro, Jira)

Experience interacting with various multi-disciplinary teams of professionals

Strong time management skills

Strong problem-solving skills

Strong critical thinking skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Strong collaboration skills

Education and Experience Preferred:

Minimum of a master's degree in a related field

Experience in survey design, including working knowledge of statistics and experimental design

Experience in creating use cases, flow diagrams, prototypes,scenariosand wireframes in the context of user research

Proficiencyin industry best practices for desktop, mobile and web applications

Experience working with Product Managers, Product Designers and Product Marketers

Experience working in the financial industry

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $113,300.00 - $188,800.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate's particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.LocationWilmington, Delaware, United States of America

What M&T Bank employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom