Set and Exhibit Designers Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
The median pay for a set and exhibit designers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $100,020/year ($48.09/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $159K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 113.57), so that salary is closer to $88,069 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,601/month — about 42.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $100K get you in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
About set and exhibit designers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Entry-level set and exhibit designers (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $100K.Top earners bring in $159K or more - a $97K 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
How much do set and exhibit designers make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median is $100,020 a year - that works out to about $48.09 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,610, and experienced set and exhibit designers can clear $159,060. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $100K enough to live in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,109/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,601/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 42.6% 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has a Regional Price Parity of 113.57 (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 $88,069 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.