Set and Exhibit Designers Salary in California

Set and exhibit designers in California earn the most in Los Angeles (average $113,990 a year) and the least in Riverside ($71,330), across the 4 California metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the set and exhibit designers average at $105,350 and the median at $105,030 for 2,690 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $83,160.

Set and Exhibit Designers average salary by city in California

Los Angeles$113,990
San Francisco$112,660
San Diego$80,880
Riverside$71,330

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Los Angeles	$113,990	$106,880	$80,060	$82,513	114
San Francisco	$112,660	$109,120	$77,570	$81,701	116
San Diego	$80,880	$76,900	$62,510	$62,299	112
Riverside	$71,330	$59,440	$52,190	$56,377	106

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Set and Exhibit Designers salary in other states

Set and Exhibit Designers salary by city and state

More about pay in California

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-1027.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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