Set and Exhibit Designers
Set and exhibit designers develop visual and tactile spaces for entertainment productions or for a variety of displays.
Is set and exhibit designers a good career?
It scores 17/100 and ranks #446 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays above the U.S. median wage ($75,240)
Possible tradeoffs
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+2.3%)
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
What set and exhibit designers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. set and exhibit designers earn between $52,830 and $104,030 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Live set and exhibit designers jobs
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow slower than average through 2034.
Education
Set and exhibit designers typically have a bachelor’s degree, but their field of degree varies. Common courses of study include theater design and exhibit design, fine and performing arts, interior design, and architecture. Employers sometimes prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree or allow a master’s degree to substitute for desired experience.
Academic programs may train students to research the history, period, and story of a production. They also provide technical instruction in subjects such as reading architectural plans and using computer-aided design (CAD) programs. Other relevant courses include drawing, painting, model building, and hand drafting.
Important qualities
Computer skills. Set and exhibit designers do much of their creative work on computers with specialty design software, such as CAD programs.
Creativity. Set and exhibit designers must be able to interpret scripts and use their artistic abilities to conceive a set or exhibit that will help tell a story.
Interpersonal skills. Set and exhibit designers must be able to collaborate effectively with directors, curators, craftspeople, and others involved in developing sets or exhibits.
Organizational skills. Set and exhibit designers need to keep track of multiple tasks and deadlines related to the design projects they coordinate.
Problem-solving skills. Set and exhibit designers must find ways to carry out an artistic vision for a set or exhibit while ensuring that the finished version can be constructed on time and within budget.
Related occupations
How much do set and exhibit designers make?
The national median wage is $75,240 a year, with the middle half earning between $52,830 and $104,030 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is set and exhibit designers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 17 of 100 and ranks #446 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +2.3% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a set and exhibit designer?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.
Where do set and exhibit designers earn the most?
Among states, California pays the highest median ($105,030). Local pay for every state and metro is below.