California Median
$105,030
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+40% vs US median
US median $75,240
State Rank
#1 of 26
2,690 employed here
How much do Set and Exhibit Designers make in California?
Set and Exhibit Designers working in California earn a median salary of $105,030 per year, or about $50.50 per hour. That is 40% above the national median of $75,240 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,400 while the top 10% make $162,820 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,200 and $134,030 a year.
Set and Exhibit Designers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,400 | $22.79 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $73,200 | $35.19 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $105,030 | $50.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $134,030 | $64.44 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,820 | $78.28 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 26 states and territories for Set and Exhibit Designers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Set and Exhibit Designers salary in other states
Maryland $80,540Washington $77,230District of Columbia $76,900New Jersey $76,380Massachusetts $74,540Nebraska $73,980Indiana $72,200Georgia $67,210Minnesota $66,090Oregon $62,770Florida $60,750Connecticut $60,680Pennsylvania $59,670Virginia $58,650Texas $56,930Ohio $54,560Kentucky $53,260Missouri $51,610Michigan $50,910Nevada $50,860Iowa $50,640North Carolina $49,410Arizona $46,280Utah $44,540Arkansas $38,700
Working as Set and Exhibit Designers in California
Nationally, about 11,000 people work as Set and Exhibit Designers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($105,030) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Set and Exhibit Designers make in California?
The median Set and Exhibit Designers salary in California is $105,030 per year, or about $50.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,400 at the entry level to $162,820 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Set and Exhibit Designers about 40% more than the national median of $75,240. California ranks 1st out of 26 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Set and Exhibit Designers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $105,030 a year. About 2,690 Set and Exhibit Designers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Set and Exhibit Designers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.