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.
Set and Exhibit Designers
SOC: 27-1027 O*NET: 27-1027.00
Median Salary
$66,280
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Set and Exhibit Designers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,990
10th percentile
Early Career
$48,920
25th percentile
Median
$66,280
50th percentile
Experienced
$100,020
75th percentile
Top Earners
$129,420
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,990
25th
$48,920
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$66,280
Mean: $78,450
75th
$100,020
90th
$129,420
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $93,430 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $48,920 and $100,020
- •Salary spread is 77.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 10,850 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:31,300
Top Industries
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries30.2%
Information27.7%
Motion Picture and Video Industries26.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.3%
Annual Openings:2,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)31,300
Current
2034 (Projected)32,000
+2.3%
+700
Employment Change
+2.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Set and Exhibit Designers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 35 locations
California
2,770 jobs$100,0202.18x
New York
1,250 jobs$01.86x
Florida
890 jobs$49,2501.29x
Missouri
510 jobs$56,1002.50x
Utah
380 jobs$35,2303.18x
Tennessee
370 jobs$45,8401.61x
Illinois
350 jobs$71,3400.83x
New Jersey
300 jobs$67,8700.99x
Maryland
290 jobs$78,2001.48x
Texas
270 jobs$54,2200.27x
District of Columbia
260 jobs$61,8005.14x
Ohio
260 jobs$52,8700.66x
Massachusetts
250 jobs$73,2900.97x
Minnesota
170 jobs$65,7700.80x
Georgia
170 jobs$52,7100.50x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Time Management
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Operations Analysis
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Coordination
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Writing
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Time Management
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Operations Analysis
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Coordination
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Operations Analysis
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Writing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Art Directors100%
5 shared skills
Advertising and Promotions Managers82%
5 shared skills
Landscape Architects82%
5 shared skills
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists82%
5 shared skills
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property73%
5 shared skills
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Time Management
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Coordination
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Operations Analysis
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Set and Exhibit Designers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk Revit
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechTrimble SketchUp Pro
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk Revit
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Structured query language SQL
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (10)General Responsibilities (8)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Communication & Coordination (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Examine objects to be included in exhibits to plan where and how to display them.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Acquire, or arrange for acquisition of, specimens or graphics required to complete exhibits.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Estimate set- or exhibit-related costs, including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Direct and coordinate construction, erection, or decoration activities to ensure that sets or exhibits meet design, budget, and schedule requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Inspect installed exhibits for conformance to specifications and satisfactory operation of special-effects components.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Plan for location-specific issues, such as space limitations, traffic flow patterns, and safety concerns.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Set and Exhibit Designers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Set and Exhibit Designers professionals typically have a AER Holland code and highly value achievement
AArtistic
EEnterprising
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Set and Exhibit Designers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.76
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.76
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.67
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.62
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.62
Innovation
CriticalInnovation
Importance Level4.62
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.8
Cooperation
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.6
Initiative
4.6
Innovation
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Persistence
4.4
Independence
4.4
Achievement/Effort
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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