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.
Developing original ideas, approaches, designs, or solutions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
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
Set and exhibit designers typically need a bachelor’s degree in theater design, exhibit design, or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree. PayThe median annual wage for set and exhibit designers was $75,240 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of set and exhibit designers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,200 openings for set and exhibit 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 set and exhibit designers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of set and exhibit designers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about set and exhibit 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 set and exhibit designers was $75,240 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of set and exhibit designers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,200 openings for set and exhibit 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 set and exhibit designers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of set and exhibit designers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about set and exhibit designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of set and exhibit designers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,200 openings for set and exhibit 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 set and exhibit designers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of set and exhibit designers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about set and exhibit designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Set and exhibit designers develop visual and tactile spaces for entertainment productions or for a variety of displays.
Work Environment
Many set and exhibit designers are self-employed. They may move from one short-term, full-time job to another, working for a series of employers rather than only one. These workers may be hired on a per-project or contract basis.
How to Become a Set or Exhibit Designer
Set and exhibit designers typically need a bachelor’s degree in theater design, exhibit design, or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for set and exhibit designers was $75,240 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of set and exhibit designers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,200 openings for set and exhibit 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 set and exhibit designers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of set and exhibit designers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about set and exhibit designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Many set and exhibit designers are self-employed. They may move from one short-term, full-time job to another, working for a series of employers rather than only one. These workers may be hired on a per-project or contract basis.
How to Become a Set or Exhibit Designer
Set and exhibit designers typically need a bachelor’s degree in theater design, exhibit design, or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for set and exhibit designers was $75,240 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of set and exhibit designers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,200 openings for set and exhibit 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 set and exhibit designers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of set and exhibit designers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about set and exhibit 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 set and exhibit designers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of set and exhibit designers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about set and exhibit designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about set and exhibit designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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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.