What Does a Set Designer Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a set designer do?

Set and exhibit designers create sets for movie, television and theater productions, and design special exhibitions. The median pay is $75,240 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Degree plus assisting experience, and employment is projected to grow +1.4% from 2025–35.

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

Median pay
$75,240
$36.17/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+1.4%
2025–35, slower than average
Openings per year
2,200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
Degree plus assisting experience
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
31,600
Employment, 2025

What set designers do

Set designers build worlds. They read scripts, research periods, sketch and model sets, create technical drawings, work with directors, budget materials and oversee construction for theater, film, TV, museums and events.

A bachelor’s degree is typical, often a BFA in theater design. BLS projects slight growth.

Typical duties

Read scripts
Research styles
Sketch and model sets
Create drawings
Budget sets
Work with directors
Oversee construction

Work environment and schedule

Designers work in studios, scene shops, stages and sets.

Schedule: Project-based, with long hours before openings.

A day in the life

9:00 AMRead the script.
10:30 AMResearch the period.
12:00 PMMeet the director.
1:30 PMBuild a model.

See a full day in the life of a set designer →

Set Designer salary

Half of set designers earned more than $75,240 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $41,750 for the lowest 10% to $135,410 for the top 10%.

$41,75010th$75,240Median$135,41090th

Full set designer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a set designer

Earn a theater design degree
Assist designers
Design small shows
Join the union
Design larger productions

A bachelor’s degree, often a BFA in theater design, is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a set designer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Scenic design
Drafting
Model building
SketchUp or Vectorworks
Research

People skills

Creativity
Collaboration
Communication
Problem-solving

All set designer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Creative work
See your designs built
Collaborative
Varied projects

Cons

Freelance instability
Long hours
Tight budgets
Competitive

Certifications and licenses

BFA or MFA: Theater design.
USA 829 membership: Designers union.
Vectorworks certification: Helpful.
OSHA 10: Shop safety.

Career path

Design Assistant: Entry.
Associate Designer: Support.
Set Designer: Design.
Production Designer: Lead design.

Learn the job before day one

Our Set Designer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as develop a set design from a script and check sightlines in a theater, safety and how to land your first job.

View Set Designer training Is this career right for me?

Art Director

Lead the visual style of ads, publications, products and productions.

$114,850
4 years plus 5+ years of experience

Lighting Technician

Set up, program and run lighting for stages, film sets and events.

$68,060
6 months–2 years

Carpenter

Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.

$60,580
3–4 years (apprenticeship)

Producer and Director

Bring films, shows, plays and videos to life from idea to final cut.

$90,360
Years of production experience

Compare: Set Designer vs. Art Director · Set Designer vs. Lighting Technician · Set Designer vs. Carpenter · Set Designer vs. Producer and Director

Set Designer FAQ

Do set designers need a degree?

Usually, often a BFA or MFA.

Is work freelance?

Often.

Is there a union?

Yes, United Scenic Artists Local 829.

How much does a set designer make?

The median annual wage for set designers was $75,240 ($36.17 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $41,750 and the highest 10% earned more than $135,410.

How long does it take to become a set designer?

Most people need about Degree plus assisting experience of training. A bachelor’s degree, often a BFA in theater design, is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a set designer?

Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-1027 (Set and exhibit designers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Set and exhibit 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.

Set Designer