What Does an Industrial Designer Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does an industrial designer do?

Commercial and industrial designers combine art, business and engineering to design products such as appliances, cars, furniture, electronics and medical devices. The median pay is $83,910 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years, and employment is projected to grow +2.4% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$83,910
$40.34/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+2.4%
2025–35, slower than average
Openings per year
2,800
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
4 years
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
35,400
Employment, 2025

What industrial designers do

Industrial designers shape everyday objects. They research users, sketch concepts, build 3D models, create prototypes, test designs and work with engineers and manufacturers to make products that look great and work well.

Most industrial designers have a bachelor’s degree in industrial design. Portfolios showing process and prototypes matter most.

Typical duties

Research users and markets
Sketch product concepts
Create 3D CAD models
Build prototypes
Test designs with users
Work with engineers on manufacturing
Present designs to stakeholders

Work environment and schedule

Designers work in studios, offices, model shops and factories.

Schedule: Most work full-time, with crunch time before launches.

A day in the life

9:00 AMReview user research on kitchen tools.
10:00 AMSketch concepts for a new handle.
11:30 AMModel the design in SolidWorks.
1:30 PM3D print a prototype.

See a full day in the life of an industrial designer →

Industrial Designer salary

Half of industrial designers earned more than $83,910 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $53,460 for the lowest 10% to $139,770 for the top 10%.

$53,46010th$83,910Median$139,77090th

Full industrial designer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an industrial designer

Earn an industrial design degree
Build a portfolio
Intern
Get a junior designer role
Advance

A bachelor’s degree in industrial design or a related field is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an industrial designer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Sketching
3D CAD modeling
Prototyping
User research
Materials and manufacturing

People skills

Creativity
Collaboration
Problem solving
Communication

All industrial designer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Creative problem solving
See products in the world
Mix of art and engineering
Good pay

Cons

Competitive field
Design constraints
Deadline pressure
Slow job growth

Certifications and licenses

SolidWorks certification: CAD credential.
IDSA membership: Industrial Designers Society of America.
Portfolio: The key credential.
Design thinking courses: Process training.

Career path

Junior Designer: Support projects.
Industrial Designer: Lead product design.
Senior Designer: Lead teams.
Design Director: Lead design strategy.

Learn the job before day one

Our Industrial Designer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as develop a product concept and build a prototype, safety and how to land your first job.

View Industrial Designer training Is this career right for me?

Mechanical Engineer

Design machines, engines, tools and products that move and work.

$104,110
4 years

Graphic Designer

Create logos, layouts and visuals that communicate ideas and build brands.

$62,960
4 years or portfolio-based training

CAD Drafter

Turn engineers’ and architects’ designs into detailed technical drawings.

$66,150
1–2 years

Fashion Designer

Design clothing, shoes and accessories from sketch to store.

$80,960
4 years

Compare: Industrial Designer vs. Mechanical Engineer · Industrial Designer vs. Graphic Designer · Industrial Designer vs. CAD Drafter · Industrial Designer vs. Fashion Designer

Industrial Designer FAQ

Do industrial designers need a degree?

Usually.

What’s the difference from an engineer?

Designers focus on form and use; engineers focus on function and manufacturing.

What software should I learn?

SolidWorks, Rhino and KeyShot.

How much does an industrial designer make?

The median annual wage for industrial designers was $83,910 ($40.34 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $53,460 and the highest 10% earned more than $139,770.

How long does it take to become an industrial designer?

Most people need about 4 years of training. A bachelor’s degree in industrial design or a related field is typical.

Do you need a degree to be an industrial designer?

Usually. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, and employers look for portfolios that show research, sketching, CAD and prototypes.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-1021 (Commercial and industrial designers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Commercial and industrial designers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Industrial Designer