State of the design job market 2024

A deep dive into the job market and 10 data-informed proven insights to help you thrive in a challenging market.

👋 Hi, I’m Felix! Welcome to this week’s ADPList’s Newsletter; 🔒 subscriber-only edition 🔒. Each week, I reveal proven & untold insights on designing things people love and insider career advice from top experts. Want to support us? Be our sponsor!

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640,000 designers contributed to this report

In a landscape where tech layoffs make headlines, shutdowns, and designers get replaced by AI, most design roles face unprecedented scrutiny, and understanding the real state of the design job market has never been more crucial. Chris Abad, former Director of UX at Google, has graciously shared this guest post to provide an in-depth analysis of the current design landscape.

Whether you're a senior professional, leader navigating career transitions or an early-career designer plotting your next move, this report offers evidence-based strategies for surviving and thriving in today's challenging market.

Below, you’ll learn:

1. Where the real job opportunities are hiding in 2024

2. Which design specializations are actually growing in demand

3. The skill combinations that command higher salaries

4. How do you get promoted in your company

5. What hiring managers value above portfolio quality

6. Proven paths to landing roles at top tech companies

Top product designer job locations (based on city).

Generated by Claude from trueup

This isn't just another opinion piece — it's a data-informed roadmap that reveals where the real opportunities lie, which skills matter most, and how to position yourself for success in 2024 and beyond. Chris unpacks the current reality of the design job market and shares practical insights that you can put into action.

You can find Chris Abad on LinkedIn, Substack, and YouTube.

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Hey everyone 👋

I hope you’re all doing well! I’ve been diving deep into some fresh data on the UX design job market, sourced from over 640,000 design professionals’ job changes since 2019, and I’m excited to share some insights with you. Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up your career, understanding the current landscape can help you confidently navigate your next steps.

Live Data Technologies: a startup based in California, which has developed a method of prompt-engineering major search engines to capture near-real-time data on employment changes in the US. They leverage this publicly available information to monitor 1M+ job changes, and 300M+ employment validations monthly, using a proprietary process. They can track hiring trends across companies, roles, functions, levels, industries, and locations.

The business normally sells this data to investors like VCs, private equity, quant funds, etc, and also to platforms that incorporate people data, such as sales tech, CRMs, talent platforms, private wealth, HR teams, and go-to-market leaders. It also serves as a data resource for well-known media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Information, Bloomberg — and today also for the ADPList Newsletter! A big thank-you to Jason Saltzman for hooking us up.

Now let’s dive into the real, honest insights here ⬇️

Is the UX Design Job Market That Tough Right Now?

With all the buzz about layoffs and hiring freezes, you might wonder if it’s just you or if the job market is genuinely challenging. The truth is, while the data shows growth in certain areas, many designers are still feeling the pinch on the ground. Let’s break down what’s happening to make sense of this mixed picture.

1. Where is big tech finding designers?

One of the most interesting insights from the data is where big tech companies are sourcing their design talent. Companies like Google, Meta, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft are actively hiring designers, often bringing in talent from each other.

• Google has hired designers from Amazon, Meta, and Apple.

• Meta has brought in designers from Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple.

• Apple has hired designers from Tesla, Google, and Meta.

What does this mean for you? Big tech companies continuously look for experienced designers, often recruiting from their competitors. This creates opportunities for those already in the industry but can make it challenging for early-career designers to break in.

2. Which UX roles are growing the fastest?

Based on job changes from over 640,000 design professionals since January 1, 2019, specific UX roles have experienced significant growth, while others have not.

• UX Design roles have seen a relative growth of 29.2% since 2019.

• Design Strategy roles have grown by 5.6%, indicating a rising demand for strategic thinkers.

• Conversation Design roles have surged by 8.2%, likely due to advancements in AI and chatbots.

However, not all roles are growing:

• UX Engineer roles have decreased by -13.7% relative to 2019 levels.

Why does this matter? While the overall number of UX roles is growing, the competition for these positions is intense. Many designers are vying for the same roles, making it harder to get a job.

3. Understanding the competitive landscape

The data shows that while there are more roles than in 2019, designers are experiencing stiff competition. Companies are becoming more selective, often seeking candidates with specialized skills or significant experience.

What can you do?

• Specialize: Consider focusing on high-growth areas like Design Strategy or Conversation Design.

• Upskill: Stay updated with the latest tools and technologies to make yourself more marketable.

• Network: Connections can often open doors that applications alone cannot.

4. Where do designers go after leaving big tech companies?

Another intriguing insight is where designers from big tech companies are heading next. The data answers the question: Where are designers going after leaving these big tech companies?

• Designers from Meta have moved to companies like Google, Microsoft, Airbnb, and DoorDash.

• Those departing Apple have joined firms such as Archer (an aviation startup) and Ford.

• Amazon alums have visited Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, and Adobe.

Why is this important? It highlights the fluidity of the job market and shows that designers are not just moving between tech giants but are also exploring opportunities in startups and other industries.

5. Landing the next role takes more time

While some regions of UX design are growing, many designers are experiencing more extended periods between jobs. The data reveals a notable decrease in the percentage of designers able to find a new role within three months of leaving their previous position.

• 2019 about 67.9% of designers secured a new job within three months.

• Fast forward to 2024, and that number has dropped to 49.5%.

This decline highlights that designers are taking longer to land new positions than a few years ago. Increased competition, more applicants per role, and more selective companies contribute to this trend.

What does this mean for you?

• Patience Is Key: It's essential to recognize that extended job searches are becoming more common. Don’t be discouraged if it takes longer than expected.

• Strengthen Your Portfolio: Use this time to refine your portfolio. Highlight projects that showcase your unique skills and the impact you’ve made.

• Enhance Your Skills: Consider learning new tools or methodologies in demand, like emerging areas in Design Strategy or Conversation Design.

• Broaden Your Horizons: Open to opportunities outside traditional tech companies or in different industries.

• Network Strategically: Connecting with peers, attending virtual events, and engaging in online communities can open doors you didn’t anticipate.

Remember, the extended timeline doesn’t reflect your value as a designer. It reflects a shifting market landscape that many are navigating alongside you.

6. Opportunities beyond traditional tech companies