Set and Exhibit Designers Salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
The median pay for a set and exhibit designers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $78,200/year ($37.6/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $80K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.49), that's roughly $74,840 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,857/month — about 36.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
About set and exhibit designers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Entry-level set and exhibit designers (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $80K or more - a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Set and Exhibit Designers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $100K | +51% | 2,770 |
| Washington | $78K | +18% | 150 |
| Maryland | $78K | +18% | 290 |
| Massachusetts | $73K | +11% | 250 |
| Illinois | $71K | +8% | 350 |
| New Jersey | $68K | +2% | 300 |
| Minnesota | $66K | -1% | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $62K | -7% | 260 |
| Oregon | $61K | -8% | 50 |
| Louisiana | $61K | -8% | 70 |
| Connecticut | $58K | -13% | 50 |
| Missouri | $56K | -15% | 510 |
| Indiana | $56K | -16% | 80 |
| Nebraska | $55K | -17% | 30 |
| Texas | $54K | -18% | 270 |
Track set and exhibit designers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Baltimore-Columbia-Towson numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do set and exhibit designers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median is $78,200 a year - that works out to about $37.6 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,130, and experienced set and exhibit designers can clear $80,450. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,988/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,857/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 37.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a set and exhibit designers salary go in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson has a Regional Price Parity of 104.49 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median set and exhibit designers salary is worth about $74,840 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do set and exhibit designers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.