The Salary for a Theatrical Designer

Salary

According to May, 2010 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, theatrical set designers earn an annual mean salary of $39,740. This rate is the equivalent to an hourly wage of $19.811. On the other hand, set designers in the industry's lowest earning percentile, such as those with entry-level positions, earn $12.30 per hour, or $25,580 per year. Theatrical designers in the industry's highest earning percentile earn annual salaries averaging $84,180 per year, or $40.47 per hour.

Theatrical set designers employed by performance arts companies earn the lowest reported wages in the set design industry, according to BLS data. With an average annual salary of $68,540, set designers in the motion picture and video industry earn almost twice that of their performance art counterparts. Set designers for museums and historical sites average $45,130 per year in earnings, some 15 percent higher that wages reported by theatrical set designers.

Set designers in Maryland earn more than designers in all other U.S. states with an annual mean wage of $63,930. Set design professionals in the San Francisco metropolitan area lead those in all other U.S. cities, with an annual salary of $64,710, followed by Los Angeles, with set designers earning an average $64,420 per year and New York, with designers earning an average $59,830. States offering theatrical set designers less than $37,000 per year include North Dakota, Montana and Idaho.

While there is no educational requirement for aspiring theatrical designers, formal training in set design, theatrical engineering and production technology is helpful to remain competitive in the field. Astute communication skills are necessary due to the numerous interactions with production staff and play directors required by set designers. A working knowledge of theatrical production history is also beneficial. Theatrical designers also benefit from previous professional or internship level experience in stage management, lighting, event management and production in attaining positions and excelling in their careers.