Set and Exhibit Designers
Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed
Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.
Median pay: $75,240/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +2.3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 2,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
• Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.
• Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting.
• Read scripts to determine location, set, and design requirements.
• Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions.
• Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets.
• Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.
• Research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary.
What's the median pay for Set and Exhibit Designers?
The median pay for Set and Exhibit Designers is $75,240 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Set and Exhibit Designers?
Employment for Set and Exhibit Designers is projected to change +2.3% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Set and Exhibit Designers?
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Set and Exhibit Designers?
About 2,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.