Also called: Scenic Designer, Production Designer
Designs the sets for theater, film, TV, concerts, and events.
They read the script, research, sketch, and build scale models of the set. Then they work with carpenters and painters as it's built. A concert set might include stages, LED walls, and moving platforms.
Based on BLS set and exhibit designers (27-1027), May 2024 estimates.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's or MFA in scenic design; union membership (USA 829) for top jobs.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Theatre Design & Technology, Scenic Design, Architecture.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). About average growth projected.
Low risk for 10 years. AI concept images help early sketches; designing buildable sets with directors and building teams stays collaborative human work.
Classes: Theater tech crew, Drafting CAD, AP Art History.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1027.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.