Top 15 cities for set and exhibit designers by average salary
| Los Angeles, CA | $113,990 |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $112,660 |
| New York, NY | $102,670 |
| Seattle, WA | $95,590 |
| Washington, DC | $84,350 |
| Atlanta, GA | $82,040 |
| San Diego, CA | $80,880 |
| Denver, CO | $78,830 |
| Baltimore, MD | $78,680 |
| Dayton, OH | $77,520 |
| Boston, MA | $76,710 |
| Miami, FL | $75,900 |
| Riverside, CA | $71,330 |
| Portland, OR | $68,530 |
| Houston, TX | $68,140 |
Map: Set and Exhibit Designers salary by metro area
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Set and Exhibit Designers salary by state
California pays set and exhibit designers the most statewide, $105,350 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $105,350 | $105,030 | 2,690 | 4 | $113,990 | $71,330 |
| New York | n/a | n/a | 1,690 | 1 | $102,670 | $102,670 |
| Washington | $93,190 | $77,230 | 170 | 1 | $95,590 | $95,590 |
| Maryland | $82,070 | $80,540 | 420 | 1 | $78,680 | $78,680 |
| Washington, D.C. | $81,770 | $76,900 | 190 | 1 | $84,350 | $84,350 |
| Massachusetts | $79,580 | $74,540 | 230 | 1 | $76,710 | $76,710 |
| Colorado | n/a | n/a | 170 | 1 | $78,830 | $78,830 |
| New Jersey | $78,470 | $76,380 | 220 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nebraska | $73,700 | $73,980 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $69,420 | $67,210 | 310 | 1 | $82,040 | $82,040 |
| Connecticut | $69,300 | $60,680 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | $68,720 | $62,770 | 280 | 1 | $68,530 | $68,530 |
| Virginia | $67,280 | $58,650 | 120 | 1 | $56,800 | $56,800 |
| Minnesota | $67,090 | $66,090 | 150 | 1 | $67,190 | $67,190 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,750 | $59,670 | 120 | 1 | $62,990 | $62,990 |
| Indiana | $66,500 | $72,200 | 110 | 1 | $63,970 | $63,970 |
| Florida | $65,910 | $60,750 | 740 | 4 | $75,900 | $57,390 |
| Texas | $65,570 | $56,930 | 210 | 3 | $68,140 | $66,410 |
| Nevada | $61,140 | $50,860 | 180 | 1 | $61,120 | $61,120 |
| Tennessee | n/a | n/a | 230 | 1 | $60,770 | $60,770 |
| Ohio | $56,700 | $54,560 | 290 | 4 | $77,520 | $53,630 |
| Arizona | $56,100 | $46,280 | 70 | 1 | $56,140 | $56,140 |
| Iowa | $55,510 | $50,640 | 60 | 1 | $53,600 | $53,600 |
| Utah | $53,780 | $44,540 | 340 | 2 | $60,780 | $50,580 |
| Kentucky | $53,600 | $53,260 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $53,160 | $51,610 | 290 | 2 | $56,350 | $55,860 |
| Michigan | $53,080 | $50,910 | 140 | 2 | $55,070 | $49,660 |
| North Carolina | $51,440 | $49,410 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arkansas | $46,290 | $38,700 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Puerto Rico | $35,020 | $34,260 | n/a | 1 | $35,400 | $35,400 |
Set and Exhibit Designers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $113,990 | $106,880 | $54.80 | 1,870 |
| San Francisco, CA | $112,660 | $109,120 | $54.16 | 290 |
| New York, NY | $102,670 | $86,880 | $49.36 | 1,620 |
| Seattle, WA | $95,590 | $77,230 | $45.96 | 140 |
| Washington, DC | $84,350 | $82,960 | $40.56 | 420 |
| Atlanta, GA | $82,040 | $80,960 | $39.44 | 160 |
| San Diego, CA | $80,880 | $76,900 | $38.89 | 90 |
| Denver, CO | $78,830 | $83,000 | $37.90 | 40 |
| Baltimore, MD | $78,680 | $80,280 | $37.83 | 220 |
| Dayton, OH | $77,520 | $92,020 | $37.27 | 40 |
| Boston, MA | $76,710 | $74,710 | $36.88 | 150 |
| Miami, FL | $75,900 | $76,350 | $36.49 | 140 |
| Riverside, CA | $71,330 | $59,440 | $34.30 | 30 |
| Portland, OR | $68,530 | $62,770 | $32.95 | 240 |
| Houston, TX | $68,140 | $58,100 | $32.76 | 60 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $67,190 | $65,960 | $32.30 | 140 |
| Dallas, TX | $66,840 | $56,930 | $32.14 | 50 |
| Austin, TX | $66,410 | $57,740 | $31.93 | 40 |
| Sarasota, FL | $66,280 | $62,420 | $31.86 | 30 |
| Orlando, FL | $66,140 | $61,370 | $31.80 | 310 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $63,970 | $72,960 | $30.75 | 70 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $62,990 | $59,670 | $30.29 | 70 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $61,120 | $50,860 | $29.39 | 180 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $60,780 | $63,920 | $29.22 | 160 |
| Memphis, TN | $60,770 | $69,700 | $29.22 | 40 |
| Columbus, OH | $60,110 | $59,550 | $28.90 | 60 |
| Tampa, FL | $57,390 | $52,130 | $27.59 | 150 |
| Richmond, VA | $56,800 | $51,840 | $27.31 | 30 |
| Kansas City, MO | $56,350 | $53,310 | $27.09 | 60 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $56,140 | $46,280 | $26.99 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO | $55,860 | $55,730 | $26.86 | 170 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $55,070 | $52,210 | $26.48 | 40 |
| Cleveland, OH | $53,980 | $54,070 | $25.95 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $53,630 | $48,360 | $25.79 | 100 |
| Des Moines, IA | $53,600 | $50,640 | $25.77 | 40 |
| Provo, UT | $50,580 | $44,540 | $24.32 | 80 |
| Detroit, MI | $49,660 | $45,640 | $23.88 | 50 |
| San Juan, PR | $35,400 | $36,030 | $17.02 | 90 |
Related jobs
- Graphic DesignersU.S. average $70,560
- Merchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersU.S. average $42,830
- Art DirectorsU.S. average $129,440
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and IllustratorsU.S. average $73,150
- Commercial and Industrial DesignersU.S. average $93,260
- Floral DesignersU.S. average $39,520
- Interior DesignersU.S. average $74,540
- Special Effects Artists and AnimatorsU.S. average $112,870
Set and Exhibit Designers salary: questions
Where do set and exhibit designers make the most money?
In Los Angeles, CA, with an average of $113,990 a year, among the 38 metro areas we cover.
What is the average set and exhibit designers salary in the U.S.?
$83,160 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $75,240, so half of set and exhibit designers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should set and exhibit designers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of set and exhibit designers nationwide earn between $52,830 (25th percentile) and $104,030 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays set and exhibit designers the most?
California, with a statewide average of $105,350 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is set and exhibit designers pay the lowest?
San Juan, PR, at $35,400 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-1027.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.