Commercial and Industrial Designer Salary
Commercial and Industrial Designers earn a median $83,910 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What commercial and industrial designers do
Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children’s toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.4% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 2,800
- Self-employed
- 7%
Employment of commercial and industrial designers is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Commercial and Industrial Designer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,630
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,202
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,217
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$67,861
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,460 | $25.70 | $45,135 |
| 25th percentile | $66,450 | $31.95 | $55,573 |
| Median (50th) | $83,910 | $40.34 | $67,861 |
| 75th percentile | $109,050 | $52.43 | $85,547 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,770 | $67.20 | $106,799 |
Best cities for commercial and industrial designers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $94,890 | $71,027 | $63,100 | 2,560 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $94,890
Commercial and Industrial Designer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $104,870 | +4.9% | $77,554 | $60,590 – $163,180 | 260 |
| Michigan | $102,160 | +19.5% | $76,609 | $49,830 – $137,850 | 2,930 |
| Massachusetts | $101,720 | +2.4% | $75,524 | $76,010 – $149,990 | 1,240 |
| Rhode Island | $101,140 | +8.4% | $76,780 | $57,810 – $137,580 | 190 |
| California | $100,770 | +8.0% | $73,270 | $62,860 – $168,490 | 5,300 |
| Louisiana | $98,040 | +24.0% | $75,246 | $44,580 – $131,380 | 130 |
| Minnesota | $94,370 | +21.0% | $70,326 | $59,550 – $127,970 | 590 |
| Washington | $94,280 | −11.7% | $75,156 | $62,390 – $153,910 | 340 |
| Arkansas | $92,540 | +15.2% | $70,536 | $63,840 – $141,140 | 230 |
| Georgia | $91,360 | +11.5% | $68,983 | $55,380 – $149,910 | 360 |
| Colorado | $90,590 | — | $69,283 | $39,710 – $137,320 | 400 |
| New Jersey | $90,310 | +11.0% | $68,800 | $59,550 – $134,580 | 1,230 |
| New York | $89,640 | +5.2% | $67,643 | $59,160 – $160,380 | 2,400 |
| Indiana | $88,040 | −6.2% | $68,198 | $56,850 – $117,750 | 1,110 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,610 | +8.8% | $64,410 | $48,360 – $131,680 | 770 |
| Virginia | $82,230 | +5.2% | $62,765 | $59,080 – $101,270 | 1,480 |
| Connecticut | $81,300 | +2.8% | $63,128 | $36,800 – $107,760 | 160 |
| Idaho | $80,730 | +19.5% | $62,453 | $54,680 – $125,420 | 180 |
| Vermont | $80,690 | +20.4% | $62,730 | $63,590 – $154,800 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $80,620 | +8.5% | $62,838 | $48,830 – $134,040 | 1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $80,590 | +5.8% | $62,634 | $62,850 – $118,070 | 820 |
| Ohio | $79,470 | +11.3% | $63,334 | $50,560 – $126,330 | 1,190 |
| Florida | $78,720 | +18.9% | $64,210 | $51,440 – $120,640 | 1,990 |
| South Carolina | $77,300 | −7.5% | $59,730 | $33,580 – $125,090 | 810 |
| Oregon | $76,970 | +2.2% | $57,073 | $52,990 – $122,810 | 480 |
| Nevada | $76,680 | −12.7% | $62,774 | $38,240 – $157,910 | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $76,640 | +0.9% | $59,843 | $48,930 – $122,370 | 240 |
| Arizona | $76,420 | −5.5% | $60,890 | $48,620 – $183,880 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $76,100 | +8.0% | $59,820 | $51,020 – $104,900 | 420 |
| Missouri | $75,440 | −3.0% | $59,294 | $44,780 – $136,980 | 270 |
| New Hampshire | $74,050 | −4.1% | $60,924 | $47,330 – $138,200 | 110 |
| West Virginia | $73,030 | — | $57,621 | $61,970 – $121,530 | 110 |
| Montana | $72,990 | −8.0% | $57,415 | $46,740 – $94,780 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $71,570 | −5.9% | $56,803 | $50,000 – $106,520 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $71,230 | +18.7% | $58,940 | $45,330 – $108,430 | 750 |
| Maryland | $70,870 | −5.8% | $55,684 | $43,940 – $106,750 | 490 |
| Iowa | $70,420 | +1.7% | $56,346 | $51,690 – $94,570 | 440 |
| Alabama | $63,640 | −14.1% | $50,398 | $45,430 – $93,030 | 130 |
| New Mexico | $62,710 | +6.3% | $50,786 | $45,470 – $109,760 | 110 |
| Utah | $62,620 | −5.2% | $50,643 | $43,130 – $120,000 | 480 |
| South Dakota | $60,110 | +13.4% | $50,478 | $43,840 – $78,850 | 190 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Designer | $80,960 | Bachelor's degree | +0.1% |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $75,240 | Bachelor's degree | +1.4% |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Designers, All Other | $64,950 | Bachelor's degree | +1.2% |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | Bachelor's degree | -1.7% |
| Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer | $39,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.7% |
| Floral Designer | $37,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $71,240 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $102,030 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 | Bachelor's degree | -2.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial and industrial designer make?
The national median salary for commercial and industrial designers is $83,910 a year ($40.34 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $53,460 and the top 10% earn over $139,770. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays commercial and industrial designers the most?
Kansas has the highest median pay at $104,870. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many commercial and industrial designers are there in the U.S.?
About 33,490 people work as commercial and industrial designers nationwide.