Best cities for a set designer
The best cities for set designers are Albuquerque, NM, Jersey City, NJ, and Newark, NJ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for set designers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for set designers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a set designer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for set designers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for set designers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a set designer. While the absolute best city for set designers is Albuquerque, NM, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for set designers in 2024.
If you're looking for a set designer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for set designers in 2025
1. Albuquerque, NM
Total set designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $69,412 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $109,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Jersey City, NJ
Total set designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $74,612 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Newark, NJ
Total set designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $74,530 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Boston, MA
Total set designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $72,188 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $118,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Nashville, TN
Total set designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $62,507 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $97,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Memphis, TN
Total set designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $61,628 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Detroit, MI
Total set designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $68,746 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Lubbock, TX
Total set designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $66,501 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Oklahoma City, OK
Total set designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $62,581 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. El Paso, TX
Total set designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $65,973 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for set designers
- Albuquerque, NM
- Jersey City, NJ
- Newark, NJ
- Boston, MA
- Nashville, TN
- Memphis, TN
- Detroit, MI
- Lubbock, TX
- Oklahoma City, OK
- El Paso, TX
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Detailed list of the best cities for a set designer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque, NM | $69,412 | $44,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 2 | Jersey City, NJ | $74,612 | $44,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 3 | Newark, NJ | $74,530 | $44,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $72,188 | $44,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 5 | Nashville, TN | $62,507 | $39,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 6 | Memphis, TN | $61,628 | $39,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $68,746 | $45,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 8 | Lubbock, TX | $66,501 | $41,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 9 | Oklahoma City, OK | $62,581 | $40,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 10 | El Paso, TX | $65,973 | $41,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 11 | Fort Worth, TX | $64,605 | $40,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 12 | Arlington, TX | $64,520 | $40,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 13 | Irving, TX | $64,510 | $40,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 14 | Brookhaven, NY | $73,836 | $44,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 15 | Dallas, TX | $64,441 | $40,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 16 | Plano, TX | $64,418 | $40,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 17 | Islip, NY | $73,694 | $44,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 18 | Garland, TX | $64,395 | $40,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 19 | Cleveland, OH | $59,562 | $38,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 20 | Oyster Bay, NY | $73,520 | $44,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 21 | New York, NY | $73,145 | $44,000 | 8,537,673 | 22 |
| 22 | Hempstead, NY | $73,390 | $44,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 23 | Tulsa, OK | $62,268 | $41,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 24 | San Antonio, TX | $63,057 | $38,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 25 | Austin, TX | $63,383 | $39,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 26 | Houston, TX | $62,945 | $38,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 27 | Wichita, KS | $61,403 | $41,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 28 | Toledo, OH | $58,402 | $38,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 29 | Corpus Christi, TX | $61,764 | $38,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 30 | Laredo, TX | $61,633 | $38,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 31 | Sacramento, CA | $73,418 | $44,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 32 | San Francisco, CA | $73,036 | $44,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 33 | Columbus, OH | $57,708 | $36,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 34 | Atlanta, GA | $60,891 | $37,000 | 472,522 | 4 |
| 35 | Oakland, CA | $72,861 | $44,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 36 | Stockton, CA | $72,487 | $44,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 37 | Reno, NV | $60,215 | $36,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 38 | Fremont, CA | $72,200 | $44,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 39 | Cincinnati, OH | $56,037 | $35,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 40 | Chicago, IL | $63,801 | $43,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 41 | Buffalo, NY | $68,716 | $43,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 42 | Omaha, NE | $55,122 | $38,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 43 | Lincoln, NE | $55,089 | $38,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 44 | San Jose, CA | $71,631 | $43,000 | 1,025,350 | 3 |
| 45 | Lexington, KY | $55,249 | $35,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 46 | Portland, OR | $59,219 | $37,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 47 | Louisville, KY | $54,804 | $35,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 48 | Kansas City, MO | $54,400 | $37,000 | 481,420 | - |
| 49 | Anchorage, AK | $61,615 | $46,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 50 | Fresno, CA | $68,871 | $42,000 | 522,053 | - |
Highest paying cities for set designers
| Rank | City | Avg. set designer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Windsor, NY | $73,160 |
| 2 | Danville, CA | $72,746 |
| 3 | Towson, MD | $62,176 |
| 4 | Atlanta, GA | $60,891 |
| 5 | Kirkland, WA | $56,358 |
| 6 | Metairie, LA | $53,266 |
| 7 | Orlando, FL | $45,409 |