1

User Research Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior User Researcher

Mountain View, CA · Hybrid

$140K - $170K/yr

Lead and scale high-impact research across product development, brand strategy, and marketing ... What You'll Bring To The Role * 5+ years in user research roles, with experience spanning product ...

Conduct user research throughout game development, from prototype to late stages (alpha and beta). Stand up and manage user research testing - including moderated/unmoderated, large/small scaled ...

Conduct user research throughout game development, from prototype to late stages (alpha and beta). * Stand up and manage user research testing - including moderated/unmoderated, large/small scaled ...

- Senior UX/UI Product Designer Position Summary The Senior UX/UI Product Designer is responsible for ... research, usability testing, and design validation sessions. • Ensure designs comply with ...

UX/UI DESIGNER

Hayward, CA · On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

The UI/UX Designer is responsible for researching, analyzing, designing, and improving user experience across GLS digital products. This role works closely with Product Managers, Business Analysts ...

UX/UI DESIGNER

Hayward, CA · On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

The UI/UX Designer is responsible for researching, analyzing, designing, and improving user experience across GLS digital products. This role works closely with Product Managers, Business Analysts ...

Lead user research for the software team connecting members to healthcare partners. Plan, conduct, and analyze a range of user research studies, including ethnographic studies, contextual inquiries ...

Design and deliver primary user research, aimed at illuminating user needs and defining great experiences throughout the customer journey. *Collect and analyze user behavior through formative and ...

UI/UX Designer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

You'll own the end-to-end visual and interactive design of our digital products, from user research and wireframing through high-fidelity prototypes. You'll also handle final front-end implementation ...

Senior UX Designer

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $150K/yr

User Research & Interviews * Plan and conduct moderated user interviews, surveys, and contextual inquiry sessions to build a deep understanding of our audience * Synthesize research findings into ...

User Research & Interviews * Plan and conduct moderated user interviews, surveys, and contextual inquiry sessions to build a deep understanding of our audience * Synthesize research findings into ...

Showing results 41-60

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 23, 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

How do I become a user researcher?

To become a user researcher, you typically need a background in psychology, human-computer interaction, or a related field, along with skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Gaining experience through internships, building a portfolio of research projects, and learning tools like UserTesting or Optimal Workshop can be helpful. Many roles also value strong communication skills and familiarity with design or product development processes.

What is a user research job?

A user research job involves studying how users interact with products or services to gather insights that inform design and development. Professionals in this role conduct interviews, usability tests, and analyze data using tools like surveys and analytics platforms to improve user experience.

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 cities in California are hiring for User Research jobs?

Cities in California with the most User Research job openings:

Infographic showing various User Research job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 3% Temporary, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,621 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Senior Service & UX Designer Consultant

Veracity Ventures Inc.

Modesto, CA • On-site

Full-time

Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Paid time off

Position Senior Service & UX Designer Consultant.
Duration: 12 months contract(Two additional 1-year extensions)
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada(Hybrid 2-3 days onsite a week)
 
Required Qualifications
  • 10+ years of progressive UX, UI, and Service Design experience in complex enterprise environments. 
  • 5+ years supporting digital transformation initiatives within government, public sector, Crown corporations, or comparable environments. 
 
Required Project Experience
Proposed candidate's experience to be demonstrated through representative projects, including:
 
Two Human-Centred Service Design & User Research projects 
  • Discovery 
  • Service design 
  • User research 
  • Journey mapping 
  • Service blueprinting 
  • Research-driven service improvements 
 
Two UX/UI, Design Systems & Accessibility projects 
  • Enterprise digital products/platforms 
  • UX/UI artifacts 
  • Responsive/mobile-first design 
  • Design systems 
  • Accessibility/WCAG 
  • Developer handoff 
 
Two Digital Service Delivery & Product Design projects 
  • Citizen-facing, partner-facing, or enterprise digital services 
  • Complex workflows 
  • Digital modernization 
  • Product/service improvement