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Set designer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$75,240median pay per year, or $36.17 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $41,750lowest 10% earn less
  2. $52,83025th percentile
  3. $75,240median
  4. $104,03075th percentile
  5. $135,410top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A set designer, which BLS calls a set and exhibit designer, had a median pay of $75,240 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.4%[2]
Openings per year
2,200[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[7]

How much do set designers make?

The median pay for set and exhibit designers was $75,240 a year, or $36.17 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $83,160 a year, or $39.98 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $41,750, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $52,830[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $104,030, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $135,410[4]. Hourly, those boundaries were $20.07, $25.40, $50.01 and $65.10[9].

BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10]. This matters for this job. The wage data covers only workers paid a wage or salary, not the self-employed, and it leaves out benefits[11]. In 2025, 66.3% of set and exhibit designers were self-employed[12]. So the figures above describe only part of the field.

Pay by state and city

California had the highest median at $105,030 a year, followed by Maryland at $80,540 and Washington at $77,230[13]. Arkansas had the lowest published median, $38,700[13].

California also had the most jobs, 2,690[14]. New York (1,690), Florida (740), Maryland (420) and Utah (340) followed[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest median at $109,120[15]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA came next at $106,880, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $86,880[15]. Los Angeles had the most jobs, 1,870, and New York had 1,620[16].

Show median pay in 25 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[13]$105,0302,690
Maryland$80,540420
Washington$77,230170
District of Columbia$76,900190
New Jersey$76,380220
Massachusetts$74,540230
Nebraska$73,98050
Indiana$72,200110
Georgia$67,210310
Minnesota$66,090150
Oregon$62,770280
Florida$60,750740
Connecticut$60,68070
Pennsylvania$59,670120
Virginia$58,650120
Texas$56,930210
Ohio$54,560290
Kentucky$53,26040
Missouri$51,610290
Michigan$50,910140
Nevada$50,860180
Iowa$50,64060
North Carolina$49,410n/a
Arizona$46,28070
Utah$44,540340
Arkansas$38,70050

How to become a set designer

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education. It lists no related work experience and no on-the-job training as typical[7]. The steps:

Some employers prefer a master's degree, or let one stand in for experience[18]. Employers may also look for work experience in a creative discipline such as art or design[20].

In an O*NET survey of 21 workers, 33% said a bachelor's degree was required and 33% said a master's degree[21]. The facts do not say how many years the path takes.

What set designers do

Set and exhibit designers create sets and special exhibits for film, video, television and theater[22]. O*NET lists tasks such as:

BLS names computer skills, creativity, teamwork, organization and problem-solving as important qualities[24][25][26][27][28].

Where they work

Self-employed workers were the largest employer group in 2025, at 66%[29]. Designers may move between short-term full-time jobs for different employers, and some are hired per project or on contract[30]. Some travel for weeks or months with traveling shows or exhibits[30].

The work can be stressful, for example when late design changes arrive close to an opening[31]. BLS says most set and exhibit designers work full time and may work evenings or weekends while overseeing an installation[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of set and exhibit designers to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,600 to 32,000 jobs[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These counts include the self-employed[2].

About 2,200 openings are projected each year[6]. These include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, about 2.4% of workers leave the labor force and 4.6% move to another occupation[33].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay is above the all-occupation median, but growth is projected below average[1][5][2][3]. The usual entry requirement is a bachelor's degree[7]. Because 66.3% of designers were self-employed and some work on short-term or per-project jobs, the wage figures cover only part of the field[11][12][30]. The facts do not say what training costs, so check that separately.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[34].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a set designer make an hour?
The median was $36.17 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $39.98[1][8].
What degree do you need to be a set designer?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, often in a field such as theater design or exhibit design[7][17].
Is set design in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 2,200 openings a year[2][3][6].
What is the highest paying state for set designers?
California, with a median of $105,030 a year[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Set and Exhibit Designers in the US was $75,240 per year and $36.17 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Set and Exhibit Designers is projected to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,600 to 32,000 jobs (a change of +500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Set and Exhibit Designers: 10th percentile $41,750, 25th percentile $52,830, 75th percentile $104,030, 90th percentile $135,410. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,200 openings for Set and Exhibit Designers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Set and Exhibit Designers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Set and Exhibit Designers was $83,160 per year and $39.98 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Set and Exhibit Designers: 10th percentile $20.07, 25th percentile $25.40, 75th percentile $50.01, 90th percentile $65.10. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 66.3% of Set and Exhibit Designers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Set and Exhibit Designers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Set and Exhibit Designers jobs: California 2,690; New York 1,690; Florida 740; Maryland 420; Utah 340. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Set and Exhibit Designers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $109,120; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $106,880; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $86,880; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $82,960; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $80,960; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $80,280; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $77,230; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $76,350. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Set and Exhibit Designers jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,870 (median $106,880); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,620 (median $86,880); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 420 (median $82,960); Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 310 (median $61,370); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 290 (median $109,120); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 280. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 27-1027.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 33%, Master's Degree 33%, Some College Courses 10%, Post-Master's Certificate 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET description of Set and Exhibit Designers. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Set and Exhibit Designers. O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of set and exhibit designers in 2025: Self-employed workers 66%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Set and Exhibit Designers: 2.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.