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User Research Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

eStaffLLC

User Researcher

Sacramento, CA · On-site

Analyze research findings and translate insights into actionable product roadmap recommendations. * Develop personas, customer journey maps, empathy maps, and other Human-Centered Design (HCD ...

Mercor

User Research Expert - Evaluator

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$80 - $120/hr

User/customer research and feedback synthesis Evaluator Type: Contract Compensation: $80-$120/hour Location: Remote Role Responsibilities * Evaluate AI-generated artifacts against domain-specific ...

Hired Recruiters

User Researcher

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

You must be passionate about user research, an exceptional communicator and be comfortable scaling your work from identifying new product opportunities, validating product concepts to running ...

Cypress HCM

UX Researcher

Mountain View, CA

UX Researcher We are looking for a UX Researcher II who will be responsible for joining a cross ... We use an iterative research and design approach in the lab and thus the ideal candidate will feel ...

Harvey

Senior/Staff User Researcher

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$158K - $264K/yr

We are looking for a seasoned strategic User Researcher to to join our research function. You are a ... You are comfortable with AI technologies and excited to build research and insight tooling to ...

Lorven Technologies

UX Designer

Alameda, CA · On-site

IAM User Research & Feedback Analysis * Strong understanding of information architecture and dashboard design principles * Ability to create wireframes, prototypes, and user journeys * Excellent ...

Gallup

Senior User Researcher

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $135K/yr

Influence the future of CliftonStrengths through research that anchors what we build and why. As a senior user researcher at Gallup, you'll drive evidence-based product decisions across the ...

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All JobsUser Research JobsUser Research Jobs in California

User Research information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$111.6K

$162.3K

How much do user research jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for user research in California is $111,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,100.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is AI replacing UX research?

User Research professionals use AI tools to analyze large datasets and identify user patterns, but AI does not replace the need for human insights, empathy, and contextual understanding essential to UX research. AI can augment research processes, but human judgment remains critical for interpreting findings and making design decisions.

What is user research?

User research is the process of understanding user behaviors, needs, and motivations through observation techniques, interviews, and other feedback methodologies. It helps product teams design better products by focusing on real user problems and preferences. User researchers gather and analyze data to inform the design and development process, ensuring that products are useful, usable, and valuable to the intended audience.

What does a user researcher do?

A user researcher studies how people interact with products or services to understand their needs, behaviors, and preferences. They conduct interviews, surveys, and usability tests, analyze data, and provide insights to help design user-friendly experiences. Strong communication skills and familiarity with research tools are essential for this role.

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

AspectUser ResearchUser Experience Designer
Primary FocusUnderstanding user needs, behaviors, and motivations through research methodsDesigning and improving the overall user experience, including interface and interaction design
Required SkillsQualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, user interviewsWireframing, prototyping, visual design, usability testing
Work EnvironmentResearch teams, UX departments, product teamsDesign teams, product teams, UX departments
Common UsageConducting user studies, surveys, interviewsCreating wireframes, prototypes, user flows

While both roles focus on improving user satisfaction, User Research primarily involves gathering insights about users, whereas User Experience Designers apply those insights to create and refine the overall user interface and experience.

Is UX still in demand?

User Research is a key component of UX design, and demand for UX professionals remains strong as companies prioritize user-centered products. Skills in usability testing, data analysis, and familiarity with tools like Figma or UserTesting are valuable. The field continues to grow with increasing digital transformation across industries.

How do user researchers typically collaborate with product and design teams during a project?

User researchers work closely with product managers and designers throughout all stages of a project. Early on, they help define research questions and identify user needs, often participating in brainstorming sessions. During the design phase, they conduct usability tests and share findings to inform design decisions. Regular communication, workshops, and presenting actionable insights ensure that research outcomes are directly integrated into product improvements. This collaborative process helps maintain a user-centered approach and fosters strong cross-functional teamwork.

Is it hard to find a job as a 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, usability testing, and familiarity with tools like Figma or UserTesting can improve job prospects. Entry-level positions may be available, but experience and a solid portfolio often enhance chances of employment.

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

To thrive as a User Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods, and a background in psychology, human-computer interaction, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like usability testing platforms, survey software (e.g., Qualtrics), and data analysis tools is typically required. Excellent communication, empathy, and collaboration skills help you effectively convey insights and advocate for user needs. These abilities ensure research findings drive informed design decisions and create user-centered products.

What Is User Research?

User research, sometimes referred to as user experience or UX research, aims to understand human needs, motivations, and behavior. In this field, you use a variety of task analysis, observation techniques, and other feedback methodologies to perform your research. You typically work on product design and testing of different elements to contribute to the development of products and services. You may use a variety of data sources at all levels of product development to help the user experience team ensure that a product is fun, intuitive, and accessible.

More about User Research jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of User Research jobs in California? The most popular types of User Research jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to User Research jobs in California? For User Research jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching User Research jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for User Research jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for User Research jobs? Cities in California with the most User Research job openings:
User Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various User Research job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,621 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

User Researcher

eStaffLLC

Sacramento, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a User Researcher for a Hybrid position with our Sacramento, California client. The User Researcher who will be responsible for planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research to inform digital product strategy, service design, and enterprise modernization initiatives. This role partners with Human-Centered Design (HCD) teams, Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, Business Analysts, Developers, and stakeholders to identify user needs, validate design concepts, and generate actionable insights that drive product roadmap priorities. The User Researcher ensures product decisions are grounded in evidence-based research, accessibility best practices, and the needs of diverse user populations. Key Responsibilities * Plan and execute qualitative and quantitative user research throughout the product lifecycle. * Conduct user interviews, contextual inquiries, surveys, usability testing, focus groups, and observational research. * Analyze research findings and translate insights into actionable product roadmap recommendations. * Develop personas, customer journey maps, empathy maps, and other Human-Centered Design (HCD) artifacts. * Translate user research findings into product requirements and design recommendations. * Establish UX success metrics and benchmarks to evaluate current and future-state experiences. * Conduct remote moderated and unmoderated usability testing using industry-standard platforms. * Collaborate with Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, Business Analysts, Developers, and stakeholders. * Ensure research incorporates accessibility and inclusive design principles. * Present research findings to executive leadership, business stakeholders, and technical teams. * Support Agile product teams with continuous user feedback throughout development. * Maintain research repositories, documentation, and best practices. Minimum Qualifications Education * Bachelor's degree required. Required Experience * Minimum two (2) successfully completed projects (defined as projects that have achieved full implementation and are operationally complete) demonstrating experience deriving product roadmap priorities from user research data. Preferred Qualifications * Experience conducting user research with diverse and vulnerable populations, including non-English speakers, individuals with disabilities, and senior citizens. * Experience establishing UX benchmarks such as System Usability Scale (SUS), Time-on-Task, and similar usability metrics. * Experience using remote unmoderated user testing platforms such as UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, or similar tools. * Experience conducting research within Agile or SAFe environments. * Experience supporting enterprise digital transformation or government modernization initiatives. * Knowledge of accessibility standards, inclusive design principles, and WCAG guidelines.

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