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Arts, Design, Media, and Sports

Set and Exhibit Designers

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Set and Exhibit Designers
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Median pay

$66,280
Median annual pay for Set and Exhibit Designers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

2.3%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

2,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

31,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Set and Exhibit Designers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+700
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical education needed to enter Set and Exhibit Designers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Reading Comprehension
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Writing
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Fine Arts
  2. 2Design
  3. 3Computers and Electronics
  4. 4Building and Construction
  5. 5History and Archeology
  6. 6English Language

Abilities

  1. 1Fluency of Ideas
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Visualization
  4. 4Originality
  5. 5Problem Sensitivity
  6. 6Written Comprehension

Career interests

  1. 1Artistic
  2. 2Enterprising
  3. 3Realistic
  4. 4Conventional
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Innovation
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Adaptability
  4. 4Achievement Orientation
  5. 5Dependability
  6. 6Initiative

Work activities

  1. 1Thinking Creatively
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
  4. 4Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  5. 5Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  6. 6Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Telephone Conversations
  5. 5Freedom to Make Decisions
  6. 6Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

Representative tasks

  • Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
  • Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.
  • Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting.
  • Read scripts to determine location, set, and design requirements.
  • Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions.
  • Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets.
  • Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.
  • Research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary.

Software and tools

Adobe Creative Cloud software · in demandAdobe Illustrator · in demandAdobe Photoshop · in demandAutodesk AutoCAD · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandAutodesk Revit · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandDassault Systemes SolidWorks · hot technologyStructured query language SQL · hot technologyOracle Database · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technology

The short answer

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

The measurable national baseline is $66,280 median annual pay, 2.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 2,500 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Set and Exhibit Designers is $66,280. Current employment is 31,300, with projected 2034 employment of 32,000. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects 2.3% employment growth for Set and Exhibit Designers from 2024 to 2034 and about 2,500 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is Bachelor's degree. Related work experience is None, and the listed on-the-job training category is None. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

A representative O*NET task is: Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations. The broader activity profile emphasizes Thinking Creatively, Getting Information, Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking. Leading knowledge areas are Fine Arts, Design, Computers and Electronics. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk AutoCAD.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Set and Exhibit Designers?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $66,280. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Set and Exhibit Designers?

BLS projects 2.3% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 2,500 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Set and Exhibit Designers?

The typical BLS entry-education category is Bachelor's degree. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Set and Exhibit Designers involve?

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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