How much does a set and exhibit designer make?
The median set and exhibit designer in the United States earns $75,240 per year, about $36.17 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all set and exhibit designers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-1027.
Set and exhibit designer salary range
Pay for set and exhibit designers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $41,750 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $135,410. The average (mean) wage of $83,160 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 | $41,750 | $20.07 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $52,830 | $25.40 | |
| Median (50th) | $75,240 | $36.17 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $104,030 | $50.01 | |
| 90th percentile | $135,410 | $65.10 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for set and exhibit designers (SOC 27-1027), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Set and exhibit designer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Set and exhibit designers earn the most in California at $105,030 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $38,700. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $105,030 | 2,690 |
| Maryland | $80,540 | 420 |
| Washington | $77,230 | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $76,900 | 190 |
| New Jersey | $76,380 | 220 |
| Massachusetts | $74,540 | 230 |
| Nebraska | $73,980 | 50 |
| Indiana | $72,200 | 110 |
| Georgia | $67,210 | 310 |
| Minnesota | $66,090 | 150 |
| Oregon | $62,770 | 280 |
| Florida | $60,750 | 740 |
| Connecticut | $60,680 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,670 | 120 |
| Virginia | $58,650 | 120 |
| Texas | $56,930 | 210 |
| Ohio | $54,560 | 290 |
| Kentucky | $53,260 | 40 |
| Missouri | $51,610 | 290 |
| Michigan | $50,910 | 140 |
| Nevada | $50,860 | 180 |
| Iowa | $50,640 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $49,410 | N/A |
| Arizona | $46,280 | 70 |
| Utah | $44,540 | 340 |
| Arkansas | $38,700 | 50 |
State median wages for set and exhibit designers (SOC 27-1027), 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 set and exhibit designers
The BLS projects employment of set and exhibit designers to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 31,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,200 openings a year for set and exhibit 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 set and exhibit designer
The typical entry-level education for set and exhibit 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 set and exhibit 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 (California, $105,030) and the lowest (Arkansas, $38,700) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 10,630 people work as set and exhibit designers in the United States. At $75,240 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Set and exhibit designer salary FAQ
How much does a set and exhibit designer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a set and exhibit designer is $36.17. The middle half of set and exhibit designers earn between $25.40 and $50.01 per hour.
What is the highest set and exhibit designer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of set and exhibit designers earn more than $135,410 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a set and exhibit designer make a year?
The median annual salary for a set and exhibit designer is $75,240. The average (mean) wage of $83,160 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 set and exhibit designer a well paid job?
At $75,240 a year, a set and exhibit designer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 10,630 people work as set and exhibit designers in the United States.
Which state pays set and exhibit designers the most?
California has the highest median salary for set and exhibit designers at $105,030 a year. Maryland ($80,540) and Washington ($77,230) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a set and exhibit designer a good career?
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. The BLS projects about 2,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a set and exhibit designer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for set and exhibit designers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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