Also called: Art Department Head
Designs the entire visual world of a film: sets, locations, colors, and props.
A production designer reads the script and creates mood boards, sketches, and models for every set. They lead a team of art directors, set decorators, and builders, then walk sets with the director before filming.
Approximate; Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) rates for studio work are high.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Degree in architecture, theater design, or art; years as an art director.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Architecture, Theater Design, Fine Arts.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Tracks art director growth.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI concept art speeds early design and virtual sets grow; creating a film's whole physical world and leading the art team stay human.
Classes: Art, Architecture or drafting CTE, Art history, Theater design.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1011.
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.