How To Become An Exhibits Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is an exhibits manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an exhibits manager. For example, did you know that they make an average of $31.16 an hour? That's $64,820 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 12% and produce 4,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

What's a day at work look like for an exhibits manager?

Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.

Program Director & Assistant Professor, Maryville University

A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!

ScoreExhibits ManagerUS Average

Salary

5.1

Avg. Salary $64,820

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.67%

Asian 8.23%

Black or African American 7.80%

Hispanic or Latino 13.09%

Unknown 4.71%

White 65.51%

Gender

female 62.28%

male 37.72%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Complexity level

1.8

Complexity level is simple

7 - challenging

Key steps to become an exhibits manager

Explore exhibits manager education requirements

Most common exhibits manager degrees

Bachelor's

73.2 %

Master's

13.6 %

Associate

9.9 %

Start to develop specific exhibits manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Audio Visual	11.09%
Exhibit Space	10.42%
Event Planning	9.71%
Floor Plan	6.64%
Graphic Design	6.47%

Research exhibits manager duties and responsibilities

Manage approximately 10 shows per year, ranging in size from 2000-25,000 NSF.
Manage CRM program including development and enforcement of internal protocols and database management.
Increase exhibitor ROI by developing creative pre-show and onsite sponsorship packages base on their goals.
Complete RFP's, fulfill hotel accommodations, registration, off-site events for in-house and guest attendees.

Apply for exhibits manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an exhibits manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do exhibits managers rate their job?

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Exhibits manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020

Cons

have to change my mindset