How Much Does a Set Designer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$75,240
Set designers in the U.S. earn a median of $75,240 a year, or $36.17 an hour. Half of set designers earn more than $75,240 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $135,410.
Pay percentiles for set designers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20.07 | $41,750 |
| 25th | $25.40 | $52,830 |
| 50th (median) | $36.17 | $75,240 |
| 75th | $50.01 | $104,030 |
| 90th | $65.10 | $135,410 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Set and Exhibit Designers (SOC 27-1027). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for set designers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $105,030 | $50.49 | +40% |
| Maryland | $80,540 | $38.72 | +7% |
| Washington | $77,230 | $37.13 | +3% |
| District of Columbia | $76,900 | $36.97 | +2% |
| New Jersey | $76,380 | $36.72 | +2% |
| Massachusetts | $74,540 | $35.84 | −1% |
| Nebraska | $73,980 | $35.57 | −2% |
| Indiana | $72,200 | $34.71 | −4% |
| Georgia | $67,210 | $32.31 | −11% |
| Minnesota | $66,090 | $31.77 | −12% |
| United States | $75,240 | $36.17 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many set designers are there?
BLS counts about 10,630 set designers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Set and Exhibit Designers”. The most jobs are in California (2,690), New York (1,690) and Florida (740).
The mean (average) annual wage is $83,160, higher than the median of $75,240.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,270
- Biweekly
- $2,894
- Weekly
- $1,447
- Daily (8 hours)
- $289
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do set designers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for set designers is $36.17. The middle 50% earn between $25.40 and $50.01 an hour.
Which state pays set designers the most?
California has the highest median wage for set designers at $105,030, +40% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for set designers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of set designers earn less than $41,750 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.