The Shifting Landscape of UX Design and Product Management

Over the past few years, the professional landscape in tech has undergone dramatic shifts. The demand for Product Managers (PMs) is surging, while UX Design roles, particularly senior positions, are facing significant challenges. Many UX professionals are struggling to find opportunities as the global economy accelerates into an era of unprecedented change.

According to the World Economic Forum, 23% of all jobs will experience transformation by 2027, with 69 million new roles emerging and 83 million current roles disappearing. In other words, millions will lose their job titles or professional labels in less than four years. Moreover, 44% of the average worker's skills will need to be updated to remain employable.

With this backdrop, it’s crucial to take a step back and examine the broader economic forces at play. By stepping outside our professional bubbles, particularly if you're just starting your career, you can position yourself for the future.

Let’s explore the evolving dynamics of UX and PM roles, what’s driving these changes, and how professionals in these fields can adapt.

Transitioning from UX to PM: A Viable Path?

The shift from UX Designer to Product Manager is more common than one might think. Many UX professionals are discovering that the aspects of their role they enjoy most—strategic decision-making, influencing budgets, and stakeholder management—align closely with product management responsibilities.

However, the nature of UX work has evolved. Companies are less interested in in-depth UX processes and instead focus on achieving satisfactory results with minimal investment. Increasingly, other roles—developers, marketers, and even PMs—are performing UX-related tasks, further diluting the boundaries of the profession.

As automation and AI reshape industries, professionals must ask themselves:

Are you content with limited UX responsibilities (e.g., UI adjustments, component updates, and Figma tasks)?
Or are you drawn to broader business strategy, communication, and decision-making?

The answer might guide whether you should consider pivoting to a PM role, where strategic oversight and cross-functional leadership are critical.

Salaries: How Do PMs Compare to UX Designers?

When it comes to earnings, PMs generally have the upper hand due to their business-critical responsibilities

Product Manager Salaries

Average (US): $87,000–$140,000
Senior roles: $150,000–$200,000+

UX Designer Salaries

Average (US): $83,000–$110,000
Senior roles: $120,000–$183,000+

While UX Designers with niche expertise (e.g., FinTech or e-commerce) can command higher salaries, PMs’ roles are typically viewed as more directly tied to business outcomes, giving them a compensation edge.

Who's Safer From AI: PMs or UX Designers?

There’s a growing debate about which role is more "AI-proof." Many believe UX Designers are safer because:

Empathy & Creativity: UX requires understanding users’ emotions and behaviors, areas where AI currently falls short.

Collaboration: Designers must communicate with various stakeholders, a skill AI cannot replicate.

Demand for UX Skills: Emerging technologies will continue to require UX expertise to ensure usability and accessibility.

However, consider this alternate perspective:

As AI becomes more sophisticated, it will streamline UX and development tasks. Companies may combine roles, reducing the need for specialized UX Designers while retaining PMs who oversee business strategies and communicate with stakeholders.

For instance, if AI reduces the workload of two UX Designers to one, and developers take on basic UX tasks, the company still needs the PM to manage the overall process. Over time, the hybridization of skills could shift the balance further toward PMs.

Essential Skills for Future PMs and UX Designers

For PMs

Strategic thinking and leadership
Advanced UX knowledge and AI fluency
Strong stakeholder communication skills

For UX Designers

Business acumen and adaptability
Specialized UX skills (e.g., accessibility or AR/VR design)
AI-enhanced tools and automation proficiency

Professionals in both roles must focus less on job titles and more on skills that remain relevant amid rapid technological advancements.

Do You Need an MBA to Become a PM?

While an MBA can be an asset, especially from a top-tier institution, it is not a strict requirement for product management. Practical experience often carries more weight

Research the profiles of PMs at your target companies on LinkedIn.

Network with them for insights on their career journeys.

Gain experience in adjacent fields like marketing, project management, or UX.

Must-Read Books for Aspiring PMs

If you’re considering transitioning to product management, here are five books to guide your journey

User Story Mapping by Jeff Patton

Cracking the PM Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell

Escaping the Build Trap by Melissa Perri

Hooked by Nir Eyal

Empowered by Marty Cagan

These resources cover everything from product strategy to practical tools for managing teams effectively.

Final Thoughts

The tech industry is transforming. Hybrid roles are emerging, and traditional job descriptions are being redefined. Whether you’re in UX or PM, the key is to remain adaptable, continuously upskill, and focus on areas where human intuition, creativity, and strategy are indispensable.

The future is less about clinging to job titles and more about positioning yourself as a versatile professional ready to thrive in any economic climate. What are your thoughts on the evolving tech landscape? Let’s keep the conversation going!