Set and Exhibit Designers salary in the U.S.
Set and Exhibit Designers in the U.S. earn a median of $75,240 a year ($36.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,410 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $83,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for set and exhibit designers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,750 | $20.07 |
| 25th percentile | $52,830 | $25.40 |
| Median | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| 75th percentile | $104,030 | $50.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,410 | $65.10 |
| Average (mean) | $83,160 | $39.98 |
Half of set and exhibit designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,270 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,135 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,893.85 |
| Weekly | $1,446.92 |
| Hourly | $36.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Set and Exhibit Designers salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Puerto Rico | $34,260 | n/a |
Best-paying metro areas for set and exhibit designers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $109,120 | 290 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $106,880 | 1,870 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $92,020 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $86,880 | 1,620 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $83,000 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,960 | 420 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $80,960 | 160 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $80,280 | 220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $77,230 | 140 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $76,900 | 90 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $76,350 | 140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $74,710 | 150 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $72,960 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $69,700 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,960 | 140 |
Metro areas with the most set and exhibit designers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,870 | $106,880 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 1,620 | $86,880 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 420 | $82,960 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 310 | $61,370 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 290 | $109,120 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 240 | $62,770 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 220 | $80,280 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 180 | $50,860 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 170 | $55,730 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 160 | $80,960 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 160 | $63,920 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 150 | $74,710 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 150 | $52,130 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 140 | $76,350 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 140 | $65,960 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | $32.31 |
| Art Director | $114,850 | $55.22 |
| Floral Designer | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| Fashion Designer | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $102,030 | $49.06 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Designers, All Other | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Craft Artist | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,320 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1027. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a set and exhibit designers make in the U.S.?
The median salary for set and exhibit designers in the U.S. is $75,240 a year, or $36.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid set and exhibit designers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of set and exhibit designers in the U.S. earn at least $135,410 a year. The top 25% earn $104,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for set and exhibit designers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,750 a year, and a quarter of set and exhibit designers earn $52,830 or less.
How many set and exhibit designers work in the U.S.?
About 10,630 set and exhibit designers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.