Set and Exhibit Designers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $61,580 -7.1% vs national
Median hourly $29.61
10th percentile $40,820
90th percentile $108,160
Employed locally 240
National median $66,280

Compare Set and Exhibit Designers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Set and Exhibit Designers
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,820
    25th
    $52,810
    50th (median)
    $61,580
    75th
    $84,840
    90th
    $108,160

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Set and Exhibit Designers salary vs area income 69% Median Set and Exhibit Designers salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Set and Exhibit Designers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,580
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $106,410
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $100,020
    California $100,020
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $96,090
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $85,260

    Nearby metros — Set and Exhibit Designers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Illinois $71,340
    St. Louis, MO-IL $61,920
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $61,770
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $59,020
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $54,070
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $50,120

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $47,770
    Graphic Designers $62,490
    Public Relations Specialists $63,910
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $38,640
    Editors $71,600
    Producers and Directors $78,490

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Set and Exhibit Designers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Set and Exhibit Designers in Chicago, IL-IN is $29.61, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $52.00 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Set and Exhibit Designers salaries?

    The median Set and Exhibit Designers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 7.1% below the national median of $66,280. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Set and Exhibit Designers in Chicago?

    Entry-level Set and Exhibit Designers (10th percentile) earn around $40,820 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $52,810.