Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Industrial designers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. They also need an electronic portfolio with examples of their design projects. PayThe median annual wage for industrial designers was $83,910 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of industrial designers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,800 openings for industrial designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial designers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial designers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about industrial designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for industrial designers was $83,910 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of industrial designers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,800 openings for industrial designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial designers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial designers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about industrial designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of industrial designers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,800 openings for industrial designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial designers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial designers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about industrial designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Industrial designers combine art, business, and engineering to develop the concepts for manufactured products.
Work Environment
Industrial designers work in a variety of industries. Although industrial designers work primarily in offices, they may travel to testing facilities, design centers, clients’ exhibit sites, users’ homes or workplaces, and places where the product is manufactured.
How to Become an Industrial Designer
Industrial designers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. They also need an electronic portfolio with examples of their design projects.
Pay
The median annual wage for industrial designers was $83,910 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of industrial designers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,800 openings for industrial designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial designers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial designers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about industrial designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Industrial designers work in a variety of industries. Although industrial designers work primarily in offices, they may travel to testing facilities, design centers, clients’ exhibit sites, users’ homes or workplaces, and places where the product is manufactured.
How to Become an Industrial Designer
Industrial designers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. They also need an electronic portfolio with examples of their design projects.
Pay
The median annual wage for industrial designers was $83,910 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of industrial designers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,800 openings for industrial designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial designers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial designers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about industrial designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial designers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial designers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about industrial designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about industrial designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.