Set and Exhibit Designers salary in District of Columbia
Set and Exhibit Designers in District of Columbia earn a median of $76,900 a year ($36.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,290 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $75,240. District of Columbia ranks 4th of 26 states for set and exhibit designers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.27 set and exhibit designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for set and exhibit designers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| 25th percentile | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Median | $76,900 | $36.97 |
| 75th percentile | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,290 | $56.87 |
| Average (mean) | $81,770 | $39.31 |
Half of set and exhibit designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,408.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,204.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,957.69 |
| Weekly | $1,478.85 |
| Hourly | $36.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Set and Exhibit Designers salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,960 | 420 |
Highest-paying states for set and exhibit designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $105,030 |
| Maryland | $80,540 |
| Washington | $77,230 |
| District of Columbia | $76,900 |
| New Jersey | $76,380 |
| Massachusetts | $74,540 |
| Nebraska | $73,980 |
| Indiana | $72,200 |
| Georgia | $67,210 |
| Minnesota | $66,090 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Interior Designer | $98,450 | $47.33 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| Floral Designer | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $102,740 | $49.40 |
| Editor | $83,920 | $40.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $105,390 | $50.67 |
| Writers and Authors | $129,300 | $62.16 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $65,360 | — |
| Technical Writer | $117,810 | $56.64 |
| Film and Video Editors | $98,830 | $47.51 |
| Broadcast Technician | $108,270 | $52.05 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1027. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a set and exhibit designers make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for set and exhibit designers in District of Columbia is $76,900 a year, or $36.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid set and exhibit designers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of set and exhibit designers in District of Columbia earn at least $118,290 a year. The top 25% earn $104,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for set and exhibit designers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,600 a year, and a quarter of set and exhibit designers earn $63,600 or less.
How many set and exhibit designers work in District of Columbia?
About 190 set and exhibit designers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.