Set and Exhibit Designers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a set and exhibit designers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $106,580/year ($51.24/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $134K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $96,522 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 53.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $107K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About set and exhibit designers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level set and exhibit designers (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $107K.Top earners bring in $134K or more - a $76K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do set and exhibit designers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $106,580 a year - that works out to about $51.24 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,680, and experienced set and exhibit designers can clear $134,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $107K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,443/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 54.1% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $96,522 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.