What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Set and Exhibit Designers in the U.S. earn more than $75,240 a year — the middle 80% land between $41,750 and $135,410. About 10,630 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Set and Exhibit Designers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$75,240typical pay / year
10,630people in this work
$135,410+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make2
Design special exhibits and sets for productions
+Develop three concept schemes for the museum's interactive natural history exhibit showing visitor flow, key…
Design special exhibits and sets for productions
+Develop three concept schemes for the museum's interactive natural history exhibit showing visitor flow, key sightlines, and material palette; produce one plan, two elevation sketches, and a materials list and send them to the production manager for costing by Thursday.
The tools that do the workAutodesk RevitESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Design sets for film, TV, and theatre
+Create three fully resolved set options for the director’s approval for the coming TV shoot—include ground…
Design sets for film, TV, and theatre
+Create three fully resolved set options for the director’s approval for the coming TV shoot—include ground plan, buyer’s list for flats and props, and one mood board for lighting and texture—deliver PDFs to the production designer by Tuesday noon.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing1
Inspect sets and exhibits
+Inspect the main gallery set and four satellite exhibits tomorrow morning for structural fixings, trip…
Inspect sets and exhibits
+Inspect the main gallery set and four satellite exhibits tomorrow morning for structural fixings, trip hazards, and finish defects; log every nonconformance with photos, priority, and recommended remedial action and send the report to the site manager by 11:00.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Convincing1
Present work to clients
+Prepare a 12‑slide presentation for the client meeting Friday showing concept evolution, three material…
Present work to clients
+Prepare a 12‑slide presentation for the client meeting Friday showing concept evolution, three material samples, cost ranges, and the proposed timeline; rehearse the talking points and email the deck to Laura and the procurement lead before noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeESCOjob descriptions
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Move1
Oversee set and exhibit construction
+Schedule daily check-ins with the lead carpenter and electrician during the two-week build, produce a punch…
Oversee set and exhibit construction
+Schedule daily check-ins with the lead carpenter and electrician during the two-week build, produce a punch list after the first week noting tolerances and safety items, and approve payments only when items on the list are closed.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Learning1
Conduct research for architectural styles
+Research Victorian, Art Deco and Brutalist architectural examples used in museum and gallery exhibits,…
Conduct research for architectural styles
+Research Victorian, Art Deco and Brutalist architectural examples used in museum and gallery exhibits, assemble annotated photos, floor plans, and material samples with sources and a two‑paragraph summary of implications for lighting, sightlines and visitor flow by next Wednesday.
The tools that do the workAutodesk RevitAdobe Acrobatjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs.
+Choose the set props for the science wing exhibit—three sofas, four task lamps, six framed prints, two side…
Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs.
+Choose the set props for the science wing exhibit—three sofas, four task lamps, six framed prints, two side tables and two low-pile rugs—confirm sizes fit the floor plan and note preferred suppliers and lead times for procurement.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Create technical drawings and plans
+Produce dimensioned technical drawings for the main gallery rigging, including plan, two elevations and a…
Create technical drawings and plans
+Produce dimensioned technical drawings for the main gallery rigging, including plan, two elevations and a detail for the load-bearing wall connection, annotated with material specs and installer notes for fabrication.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptions
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Select and source materials
+Compile a materials schedule for the travelling exhibit: wall panels, MDF framing, Velcro textiles, LED…
Select and source materials
+Compile a materials schedule for the travelling exhibit: wall panels, MDF framing, Velcro textiles, LED strips and fixings, sourcing three pricing options each and noting sustainability certificates and minimum order quantities.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Revise designs based on feedback
+Update the design set with the client feedback: move the interactive kiosk 1.2 metres left, lower touchscreen…
Revise designs based on feedback
+Update the design set with the client feedback: move the interactive kiosk 1.2 metres left, lower touchscreen height to 1.1 metres, revise circulation arrows on the plan and export new PDFs for the review meeting on Thursday.
The tools that do the workAdobe Illustratorjob descriptions
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Manage project timelines and schedules
+Build a project timeline showing schematic design, approvals, fabrication and install milestones, flag the…
Manage project timelines and schedules
+Build a project timeline showing schematic design, approvals, fabrication and install milestones, flag the long‑lead items, assign owners and set realistic delivery dates to align with the museum opening on October 15.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Ensure safety and compliance standards
+Audit the current designs for compliance: check all structures for required clearances, annotate electrical…
Ensure safety and compliance standards
+Audit the current designs for compliance: check all structures for required clearances, annotate electrical junctions for licensed electrician sign-off, confirm fire retardancy ratings and produce a compliance punch list for the contractor.
The tools that do the workAutodesk Revitjob descriptions
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Work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision
+Inspect the touring power distro and its portable lighting circuits against the site electrical checklist,…
Work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision
+Inspect the touring power distro and its portable lighting circuits against the site electrical checklist, lock out the dead circuits, wear insulated gloves and eye protection, run the continuity and RCD tests with the supervisor present, log results in the site safety book.
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Build set constructions
+Lay out the stage framing from the technical drawing, cut and assemble the timber modules to the specified…
Build set constructions
+Lay out the stage framing from the technical drawing, cut and assemble the timber modules to the specified tolerances, fit mechanical fixings and bracing, test each module for load and alignment, then tag and photograph the finished set pieces for the build pack.
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Build scenic elements used on stage and for filming
+Build the scenic elements for the opening night and the filmed b-roll: finalise shop drawings, order CNC-cut…
Build scenic elements used on stage and for filming
+Build the scenic elements for the opening night and the filmed b-roll: finalise shop drawings, order CNC-cut panels, schedule welding and paint, and deliver fully assembled pieces to Stage A by Wednesday morning for tech rehearsals.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADESCO
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Use a wide variety of materials like wood, steel, aluminium and plastics
+Specify and source the wood, steel, aluminium and plastics for the exhibit: create a cutlist, sheet layouts…
Use a wide variety of materials like wood, steel, aluminium and plastics
+Specify and source the wood, steel, aluminium and plastics for the exhibit: create a cutlist, sheet layouts and finish schedule, get three supplier quotes, and book deliveries to the workshop for next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Work based on artistic vision, scale models, sketches and plans
+Translate the artistic vision into scaled outputs: produce a set of scale models, annotated sketches and a…
Work based on artistic vision, scale models, sketches and plans
+Translate the artistic vision into scaled outputs: produce a set of scale models, annotated sketches and a dimensioned plan so the fabricator can build the centrepiece to the artist’s sightline by the client review on Friday.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksAdobe IllustratorESCO
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Work ergonomically
+Audit my bench and lifting tasks this week and set a personal ergonomics checklist: adjust workbench heights,…
Work ergonomically
+Audit my bench and lifting tasks this week and set a personal ergonomics checklist: adjust workbench heights, tool positions and lifting technique, then schedule a brief crew briefing before Monday shift start.
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Manage personal professional development
+Draft a six‑month development plan focused on skills I lack: shortlist relevant workshops, set measurable…
Manage personal professional development
+Draft a six‑month development plan focused on skills I lack: shortlist relevant workshops, set measurable goals for welding, CNC programming and finishing, and block two afternoons next month for training sessions.
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Work safely with machines
+Create the safety procedure for machine operations on the build: list authorised operators, lockout steps,…
Work safely with machines
+Create the safety procedure for machine operations on the build: list authorised operators, lockout steps, PPE, emergency stops and a maintenance log, then circulate to the team and post by the main entrance before the next shift.
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Says who?
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses