Set and Exhibit Designers Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
The median pay for a set and exhibit designers in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $96,090/year ($46.2/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $166K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 112.56), so that salary is closer to $85,368 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,910/month — about 48.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $96K get you in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
About set and exhibit designers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Entry-level set and exhibit designers (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $96K.Top earners bring in $166K or more - a $109K 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do set and exhibit designers make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
The median is $96,090 a year - that works out to about $46.2 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,810, and experienced set and exhibit designers can clear $166,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $96K enough to live in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,939/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,910/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 49% 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City?
New York-Newark-Jersey City has a Regional Price Parity of 112.56 (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 $85,368 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.