How much does a commercial and industrial designer make?
The median commercial and industrial designer in the United States earns $83,910 per year, about $40.34 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all commercial and industrial designers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-1021.
Commercial and industrial designer salary range
Pay for commercial and industrial designers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $53,460 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $139,770. The average (mean) wage of $93,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,460 | $25.70 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $66,450 | $31.95 | |
| Median (50th) | $83,910 | $40.34 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $109,050 | $52.43 | |
| 90th percentile | $139,770 | $67.20 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for commercial and industrial designers (SOC 27-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Commercial and industrial designer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Commercial and industrial designers earn the most in Kansas at $104,870 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $60,110. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $104,870 | 260 |
| Michigan | $102,160 | 2,930 |
| Massachusetts | $101,720 | 1,240 |
| Rhode Island | $101,140 | 190 |
| California | $100,770 | 5,300 |
| Louisiana | $98,040 | 130 |
| Minnesota | $94,370 | 590 |
| Washington | $94,280 | 340 |
| Arkansas | $92,540 | 230 |
| Georgia | $91,360 | 360 |
| Colorado | $90,590 | 400 |
| New Jersey | $90,310 | 1,230 |
| New York | $89,640 | 2,400 |
| Indiana | $88,040 | 1,110 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,610 | 770 |
| Virginia | $82,230 | 1,480 |
| Connecticut | $81,300 | 160 |
| Idaho | $80,730 | 180 |
| Vermont | $80,690 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $80,620 | 1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $80,590 | 820 |
| Ohio | $79,470 | 1,190 |
| Florida | $78,720 | 1,990 |
| South Carolina | $77,300 | 810 |
| Oregon | $76,970 | 480 |
| Nevada | $76,680 | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $76,640 | 240 |
| Arizona | $76,420 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $76,100 | 420 |
| Missouri | $75,440 | 270 |
| New Hampshire | $74,050 | 110 |
| West Virginia | $73,030 | 110 |
| Montana | $72,990 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $71,570 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $71,230 | 750 |
| Maryland | $70,870 | 490 |
| Iowa | $70,420 | 440 |
| Alabama | $63,640 | 130 |
| New Mexico | $62,710 | 110 |
| Utah | $62,620 | 480 |
| South Dakota | $60,110 | 190 |
State median wages for commercial and industrial designers (SOC 27-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for commercial and industrial designers
The BLS projects employment of commercial and industrial designers to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 35,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 36,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,800 openings a year for commercial and industrial designers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a commercial and industrial designer
The typical entry-level education for commercial and industrial designers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a commercial and industrial designer earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Kansas, $104,870) and the lowest (South Dakota, $60,110) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 33,490 people work as commercial and industrial designers in the United States. At $83,910 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Commercial and industrial designer salary FAQ
How much does a commercial and industrial designer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a commercial and industrial designer is $40.34. The middle half of commercial and industrial designers earn between $31.95 and $52.43 per hour.
What is the highest commercial and industrial designer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of commercial and industrial designers earn more than $139,770 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a commercial and industrial designer make a year?
The median annual salary for a commercial and industrial designer is $83,910. The average (mean) wage of $93,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a commercial and industrial designer a well paid job?
At $83,910 a year, a commercial and industrial designer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 33,490 people work as commercial and industrial designers in the United States.
Which state pays commercial and industrial designers the most?
Kansas has the highest median salary for commercial and industrial designers at $104,870 a year. Michigan ($102,160) and Massachusetts ($101,720) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a commercial and industrial designer a good career?
Employment of commercial and industrial designers is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a commercial and industrial designer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for commercial and industrial designers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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