Set and Exhibit Designer Salary
Set and Exhibit Designers earn a median $75,240 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What set and exhibit designers do
Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.4% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,200
- Self-employed
- 66%
Employment of set and exhibit designers is projected to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,200 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.
Set and Exhibit Designer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,723
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,665
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,091
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$61,761
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,750 | $20.07 | $35,726 |
| 25th percentile | $52,830 | $25.40 | $44,629 |
| Median (50th) | $75,240 | $36.17 | $61,761 |
| 75th percentile | $104,030 | $50.01 | $82,015 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,410 | $65.10 | $103,819 |
Set and Exhibit Designer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $105,030 | +5.0% | $75,815 | $47,400 – $162,820 | 2,690 |
| Maryland | $80,540 | +3.0% | $62,028 | $47,110 – $114,340 | 420 |
| Washington | $77,230 | −1.4% | $63,161 | $53,880 – $164,070 | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $76,900 | +24.4% | $59,361 | $47,600 – $118,290 | 190 |
| New Jersey | $76,380 | +12.5% | $59,888 | $47,400 – $112,570 | 220 |
| Massachusetts | $74,540 | +1.7% | $57,762 | $51,870 – $123,640 | 230 |
| Nebraska | $73,980 | +34.8% | $58,388 | $48,180 – $93,140 | 50 |
| Indiana | $72,200 | +29.0% | $57,522 | $44,540 – $93,700 | 110 |
| Georgia | $67,210 | +27.5% | $53,247 | $29,330 – $122,060 | 310 |
| Minnesota | $66,090 | +0.5% | $52,313 | $49,290 – $84,670 | 150 |
| Oregon | $62,770 | +2.5% | $47,953 | $47,140 – $92,220 | 280 |
| Florida | $60,750 | +23.4% | $50,993 | $45,670 – $101,030 | 740 |
| Connecticut | $60,680 | +4.9% | $49,131 | $49,120 – $105,530 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,670 | +24.3% | $48,293 | $46,430 – $114,970 | 120 |
| Virginia | $58,650 | +14.7% | $46,747 | $41,600 – $104,010 | 120 |
| Texas | $56,930 | +5.0% | $47,923 | $36,480 – $111,450 | 210 |
| Ohio | $54,560 | +3.2% | $45,301 | $23,760 – $92,020 | 290 |
| Kentucky | $53,260 | +20.1% | $43,228 | $31,070 – $87,610 | 40 |
| Missouri | $51,610 | −8.0% | $42,160 | $33,530 – $74,850 | 290 |
| Michigan | $50,910 | +2.4% | $41,173 | $31,200 – $73,710 | 140 |
| Nevada | $50,860 | +2.3% | $43,046 | $34,930 – $101,950 | 180 |
| Iowa | $50,640 | +5.2% | $41,597 | $46,840 – $70,000 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $49,410 | +7.7% | $40,418 | $22,160 – $87,510 | — |
| Arizona | $46,280 | −9.5% | $38,418 | $38,660 – $109,380 | 70 |
| Utah | $44,540 | +26.4% | $36,930 | $21,100 – $96,150 | 340 |
| Arkansas | $38,700 | +5.9% | $31,979 | $35,200 – $72,350 | 50 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Designer | $80,960 | Bachelor's degree | +0.1% |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $83,910 | Bachelor's degree | +2.4% |
| 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% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 | Bachelor's degree | -2.9% |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $102,030 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a set and exhibit designer make?
The national median salary for set and exhibit designers is $75,240 a year ($36.17 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,750 and the top 10% earn over $135,410. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays set and exhibit designers the most?
California has the highest median pay at $105,030.
How many set and exhibit designers are there in the U.S.?
About 10,630 people work as set and exhibit designers nationwide.