Salary guide
Set Designer Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What set designers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median set designer salary in the U.S. is $75,240 per year, or $36.17 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $41,750, while the top 10% earned more than $135,410.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Set Designer pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,750 | $20.07 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $52,830 | $25.40 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $75,240 | $36.17 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $104,030 | $50.01 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $135,410 | $65.10 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $52,830 | $75,240 | $104,030 |
| Per month | $4,403 | $6,270 | $8,669 |
| Every two weeks | $2,032 | $2,894 | $4,001 |
| Per week | $1,016 | $1,447 | $2,001 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects set designer pay
- Portfolio strength and client list
- Industry (advertising, film, tech and corporate roles often pay more)
- Freelance rates versus salaried positions
- Software skills such as Adobe Creative Cloud, DaVinci Resolve or Pro Tools
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a set designer
- Get credentialed: BFA or MFA, USA 829 membership, Vectorworks certification.
- Build specialty experience: Support.
- Move up: roles such as set designer and production designer typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Set Designer pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of set designers to change by +1.4% from 2025–35, slower than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,200 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 27-1027 (“Set and exhibit designers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Set Designer salary FAQ
How much does a set designer make per hour?
The median hourly wage for set designers was $36.17 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $20.07 and the top 10% earned about $65.10 or more.
How much does a set designer make a month?
At the median annual wage of $75,240, that works out to about $6,270 per month before taxes, or about $2,894 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a set designer?
New set designers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $41,750 and the 25th percentile was $52,830 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can set designers earn more?
Common ways include earning BFA or MFA and USA 829 membership, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as set designer.
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.