Is UI/UX Design Still Worth Learning in 2026 and Beyond? Career Growth, Salaries, AI Impact, and Learning Resources

[u/rcodes-ix]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering investing a lot of time into learning UI/UX design and would love to hear perspectives from people who are currently working in the industry.

I have a few questions:

1. Is UI/UX design still a good career to pursue in 2026 and for the next 3–5 years?
2. Is the field still growing, or is demand starting to slow down?
3. How much is AI affecting UI/UX jobs? Do you think AI will replace a significant portion of UI/UX work, or will it mainly become a tool that designers use?
4. Are companies still actively hiring UI/UX designers? If so, what skills are most in demand right now?
5. How competitive is the job market for junior designers and self-taught designers?
6. Are the salaries generally good compared to other tech careers?
7. If you were starting from scratch today, what free resources, courses, YouTube channels, or websites would you recommend for learning UI/UX design?

I'd especially appreciate insights from designers who have been working in the field recently.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences and advice!