Set and Exhibit Designers salary in Maryland
Set and Exhibit Designers in Maryland earn a median of $80,540 a year ($38.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,340 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $75,240. Maryland ranks 2nd of 26 states for set and exhibit designers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 set and exhibit designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for set and exhibit designers in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| 25th percentile | $64,490 | $31.01 |
| Median | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| 75th percentile | $88,080 | $42.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,340 | $54.97 |
| Average (mean) | $82,070 | $39.46 |
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 | $6,711.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,355.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,097.69 |
| Weekly | $1,548.85 |
| Hourly | $38.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Set and Exhibit Designers salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,960 | 420 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $80,280 | 220 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $59,670 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for set and exhibit designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $105,030 |
| Maryland | $80,540 |
| Washington | $77,230 |
| District of Columbia | $76,900 |
| New Jersey | $76,380 |
| Massachusetts | $74,540 |
| Nebraska | $73,980 |
| Indiana | $72,200 |
| Georgia | $67,210 |
| Minnesota | $66,090 |
Related jobs in Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Interior Designer | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Art Director | $98,400 | $47.31 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Floral Designer | $41,020 | $19.72 |
| Designers, All Other | $60,910 | $29.28 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $85,830 | $41.27 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,590 | — |
| Editor | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Technical Writer | $100,990 | $48.55 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for set and exhibit designers in Maryland is $80,540 a year, or $38.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid set and exhibit designers make in Maryland?
The top 10% of set and exhibit designers in Maryland earn at least $114,340 a year. The top 25% earn $88,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for set and exhibit designers in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,110 a year, and a quarter of set and exhibit designers earn $64,490 or less.
How many set and exhibit designers work in Maryland?
About 420 set and exhibit designers are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.