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.
Keeping the record3
Design special exhibits and sets for productions
+Develop three exhibit concepts for the summer production, produce scale floor plans, three elevation sketches…
Design special exhibits and sets for productions
+Develop three exhibit concepts for the summer production, produce scale floor plans, three elevation sketches and a materials list showing load points and access, then present the buildable concept to technical director on Friday for budget costing.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADAutodesk RevitESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Design sets for film, TV, and theatre
+Inspect the main stage set for the evening show, walk each prop and flown element, log any loose fixings,…
Design sets for film, TV, and theatre
+Inspect the main stage set for the evening show, walk each prop and flown element, log any loose fixings, damaged flats or safety hazards with photos and dimensions, prioritise repairs, and send the damage list and timeline to production manager within two hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Inspect sets and exhibits
+Prepare a 15-minute client presentation of the proposed set, include three concept boards, a rendered camera…
Inspect sets and exhibits
+Prepare a 15-minute client presentation of the proposed set, include three concept boards, a rendered camera sightline diagram, budget summary and construction timeline, rehearse the run with the producer on Thursday then deliver to the client on Friday morning.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NET
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Get approval1
Present work to clients
+Draft three film, TV and theatre set schemes, prepare storyboard-aligned elevations and a prop list, run a…
Present work to clients
+Draft three film, TV and theatre set schemes, prepare storyboard-aligned elevations and a prop list, run a site walk with director and cinematographer on Monday to confirm camera clearance, then produce the final shop drawings for construction by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workAutodesk RevitAutodesk AutoCADESCOjob descriptions
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Move1
Oversee set and exhibit construction
+Oversee construction of the theatre set and museum exhibit this week: confirm timber and metal subframes…
Oversee set and exhibit construction
+Oversee construction of the theatre set and museum exhibit this week: confirm timber and metal subframes match the shop drawings, check welds and fixings on the centre platform, sign off the safety checklist with site foreman Marco before any paint or drape work begins.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing1
Conduct research for architectural styles
+Gather visual and historical references for 1920s Art Deco and 1970s brutalist interiors for the next…
Conduct research for architectural styles
+Gather visual and historical references for 1920s Art Deco and 1970s brutalist interiors for the next production: assemble photographs, measured elevations, and material samples, write a one-page memo on typical mouldings and finishes for the production designer by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs.
+Pick and reserve set props for the living-room scene on Stage B for next Thursday: two mid-century sofas,…
Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs.
+Pick and reserve set props for the living-room scene on Stage B for next Thursday: two mid-century sofas, three side tables, four floor lamps, three framed landscape pictures, and a 3x2 metre Persian-style rug, checking sightlines and actor circulation.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Create technical drawings and plans
+Produce dimensioned technical drawings for the multilevel kitchen set: plan, two full-height elevations,…
Create technical drawings and plans
+Produce dimensioned technical drawings for the multilevel kitchen set: plan, two full-height elevations, section through the island at 1:25 scale, and a door and window detail with hinge positions and finished floor levels for workshop build next Monday.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptions
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Select and source materials
+Source materials for the exterior terrace set: waterproof decking boards in teak finish, stainless-steel…
Select and source materials
+Source materials for the exterior terrace set: waterproof decking boards in teak finish, stainless-steel balustrade, outdoor-rated cushions, and weatherproof paint samples, get three supplier quotes and delivery lead times for arrival two weeks before tech rehearsal.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Revise designs based on feedback
+Update the groundplan and elevations after producer notes: move the bar back 600mm, lower the back wall by…
Revise designs based on feedback
+Update the groundplan and elevations after producer notes: move the bar back 600mm, lower the back wall by 200mm, and annotate the sightline changes; create a version history and email the revised PDFs to production and workshop by end of day.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADMicrosoft Officejob descriptions
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Manage project timelines and schedules
+Create and maintain the project timeline for the run of shows: schedule design milestones, construction,…
Manage project timelines and schedules
+Create and maintain the project timeline for the run of shows: schedule design milestones, construction, props pickup, tech rehearsals and strike, flag any clashes with department heads, and circulate an updated schedule each Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Ensure safety and compliance standards
+Audit the set build for safety compliance: walk the set, confirm guardrail heights, check electrical lamp…
Ensure safety and compliance standards
+Audit the set build for safety compliance: walk the set, confirm guardrail heights, check electrical lamp leads under supervision, verify load capacities of platforms, record nonconformances and send a corrective actions list to stage management by tomorrow noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptions
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Build scenic elements used on stage and for filming
+Build the scenic elements for the mid-scale theatre production, fabricate flats, platforms and…
Build scenic elements used on stage and for filming
+Build the scenic elements for the mid-scale theatre production, fabricate flats, platforms and camera-friendly props from drawings, assemble them so they travel safely on wheels, and mark any joints that need backstage fast repairs before first tech on Thursday.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADESCO
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Use a wide variety of materials like wood, steel, aluminium and plastics
+Source and cut timber, steel, aluminium and plastics for the summer play’s set, produce clear material lists…
Use a wide variety of materials like wood, steel, aluminium and plastics
+Source and cut timber, steel, aluminium and plastics for the summer play’s set, produce clear material lists and safe handling notes for the workshop team, and schedule the welding and finishing stages so the metalwork is ready two days before load-in.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksESCO
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Work based on artistic vision, scale models, sketches and plans
+Translate the director’s concept, scale the model pieces and the stage plan to full size, produce a set of…
Work based on artistic vision, scale models, sketches and plans
+Translate the director’s concept, scale the model pieces and the stage plan to full size, produce a set of rigging-safe construction sketches and a checked dimension set so the prop shop can start cutting on Monday morning.
The tools that do the workAutodesk RevitAutodesk AutoCADESCO
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Work ergonomically
+Run a one-hour ergonomic review of workshop tasks for the crew, adjust table heights and lifting routes,…
Work ergonomically
+Run a one-hour ergonomic review of workshop tasks for the crew, adjust table heights and lifting routes, document repetitive-risk controls and issue a laminated quick-guide to be posted at the workbench by Friday.
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Manage personal professional development
+Plan my professional development for the next six months: list skills to improve, book two-day carpentry…
Manage personal professional development
+Plan my professional development for the next six months: list skills to improve, book two-day carpentry refresher and a welding safety course, schedule monthly review check-ins with the production manager and track completed training in my portfolio.
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Work safely with machines
+Prepare the machines safety plan for the scene shop: label each tool with safe operating steps, set lockout…
Work safely with machines
+Prepare the machines safety plan for the scene shop: label each tool with safe operating steps, set lockout procedures for the saws and drill press, run a supervised induction with the crew and log competency checks before they use machines unsupervised.
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Work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision
+Inspect the venue's temporary power distribution, verify the RCDs and cable runs against the handed-over…
Work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision
+Inspect the venue's temporary power distribution, verify the RCDs and cable runs against the handed-over system diagram, tag any damaged leads, fit protective covers, log readings, and confirm with the supervising electrician before powering any unit tonight.
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Build set constructions
+Lay out the platform grid from the stage plot, cut and assemble the timber frames to the specified…
Build set constructions
+Lay out the platform grid from the stage plot, cut and assemble the timber frames to the specified dimensions, screw and brace each joint, fit non-slip deck panels, and photograph key junctions for the construction log before handing to props for dressing.
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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