Set and Exhibit Designers salary in Virginia
Set and Exhibit Designers in Virginia earn a median of $58,650 a year ($28.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,010 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $75,240. Virginia ranks 15th of 26 states for set and exhibit designers pay. There are 0.03 set and exhibit designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $67,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for set and exhibit designers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 25th percentile | $46,870 | $22.53 |
| Median | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| 75th percentile | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,010 | $50.00 |
| Average (mean) | $67,280 | $32.34 |
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 | $4,887.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,443.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,255.77 |
| Weekly | $1,127.88 |
| Hourly | $28.20 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,960 | 420 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,840 | 30 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Interior Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Floral Designer | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Art Director | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $81,510 | $39.19 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $111,530 | $53.62 |
| Fashion Designer | $94,120 | $45.25 |
| Designers, All Other | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for set and exhibit designers in Virginia is $58,650 a year, or $28.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid set and exhibit designers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of set and exhibit designers in Virginia earn at least $104,010 a year. The top 25% earn $83,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for set and exhibit designers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,600 a year, and a quarter of set and exhibit designers earn $46,870 or less.
How many set and exhibit designers work in Virginia?
About 120 set and exhibit designers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.