Set and Exhibit Designers Salary in Rochester, NY
The median pay for a set and exhibit designers in Rochester, NY is $82,670/year ($39.75/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.03), that's roughly $85,200 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,573/month — about 30.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $83K get you in Rochester?
About set and exhibit designers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rochester, NY
Entry-level set and exhibit designers (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K.Top earners bring in $141K or more - a $89K 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 Rochester numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do set and exhibit designers make in Rochester, NY?
The median is $82,670 a year - that works out to about $39.75 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,200, and experienced set and exhibit designers can clear $141,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in Rochester?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,217/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,573/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 30.2% 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 Rochester?
Rochester has a Regional Price Parity of 97.03 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median set and exhibit designers salary is worth about $85,200 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.