How to hire a set designer

How to hire a set designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step set designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a set designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new set designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your set designer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a set designer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A set designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, set designers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of set designers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Set Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Set Designer		$16-45
   Graphic Designer	Graphic designers are visual communicators who create graphic ideas to deliver a message through art and images which inspire, inform, and motivate consumers with the use of computer software, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign or by hand. They have the ability to design stunning illustrations that are easily understood, even without a lot of thinking or based on the demand of their clients... Show more	$16-33
   Production Designer	A production designer is responsible for monitoring the visual presentation of a media or theatre production, ensuring the set's adherence to the theme, and presenting visual elements according to the production requirements. Production designers research the current industry trends for creative ideas that would attract the audience, creating outstanding visual pictures throughout the production... Show more	$17-39

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Set Design
   • Art Direction
   • Photography
   • CAD
   • Graphic Design
   • Concept Development
   • Adobe Photoshop
   • Photo Shoots
   • Design Concepts
   • Production Design
   • Drama
   • Sketch
   • Theatre Production
   • Costumes

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop UNIX shell scripts to automate file manipulation and data loading process.
   • Develop marketing and brand awareness initiatives through social media outlets; create and manage company Facebook and Houzz profiles.
   • Used PL/SQL for writing procedures and triggers.
   • Trouble-Shout, reload and reject records using DTS, SQL scripts.
   • Create stored procedures, functions, packages, views and triggers using PL/SQL.
   • Project entail building a Halloween store set for the movie team in Cleveland area.

   More set designer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your set designer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A set designer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, set designers' average salary in alabama is 42% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level set designers earn 63% less than senior-level set designers.
   • Certifications. A set designer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a set designer's salary.

   Average set designer salary

   $57,970yearly

   $27.87 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level set designer salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average set designer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$73,160	$35
   2	California	$72,746	$35
   3	Maryland	$62,176	$30
   4	Georgia	$60,891	$29
   5	Washington	$56,358	$27
   6	Louisiana	$53,266	$26
   7	Florida	$45,409	$22

   Average set designer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Stanley Black & Decker	$90,378	$43.45	7
   2	Poly Prep Country Day School	$74,422	$35.78
   3	Russell Sage College	$66,778	$32.10
   4	Performance Space New York	$57,009	$27.41
   5	Universal City Studios Productions LLLP	$57,009	$27.41
   6	Thinkwell	$56,386	$27.11
   7	Epic Technologies	$55,875	$26.86
   8	Royal Productions	$55,421	$26.64
   9	Blackdot	$55,311	$26.59
   10	Weld RE-4 School District	$54,583	$26.24
   11	Pioneer High School	$50,873	$24.46

4. Writing a set designer job description

   A set designer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a set designer job description:

   Set designer job description example

   Poly Prep seeks applicants for the position of Set Designer for the 2022 - 2023 school year productions. We seek a talented and energetic individual whose competence, integrity, and collegiality will enrich our first-rate Performing Arts Department. The ideal candidate will possess a professional background in theater design, be a proficient builder/carpenter, be able to work collaboratively and independently and have experience working with middle and upper school aged students.
   
   We seek a visionary designer with a passion for engaging with students; strong communication and collaboration skills; and excellent organizational and time management skills. In view of our commitment to anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion, we seek an individual whose creative vision is aligned with those values, who can serve as a role model for our students, and whose personal integrity and collegiality will enrich a high-achieving, collaborative department.
   PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:
   Provide preliminary set design sketches to production director and department supervisors at the start of each production rehearsal process Attend and contribute to production meetings during or after the school day Order and obtain all necessary materials for sets and props Complete build of all scenic elements following production schedules Supervise student tech crew during technical rehearsals and backstage during performances Adhere to production budgets and proper guidelines for purchases, receipts, and reimbursements Organize and maintain set and prop resources Work with theater technical director and performing arts supervisors to maintain a professional environment Attend and be available for some weekends, production tech weeks, and performances
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   Education: Bachelor’s degree in theater design, theater education, or related disciplines
   Experience: Three years professional or academic theater design experience Requirement: All employees must be fully vaccinated and show proof of their full COVID 19 vaccination and booster (if eligible).
   Poly Prep strives to be an equitable, just, and diverse community, one proud of and deeply committed to empowering students to discover who they are and what they want to be. In keeping with the country day school philosophy, we seek community members who will share a passion for learning in and out of the classroom. Every educator at Poly Prep aspires to uphold our mission “to support and inspire the next diverse generation of leaders and global citizens to act with intelligence, imagination and--above all--character.” We offer a supportive environment, with a full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a generous match on our 403(b) retirement plan, long-term disability, flexible spending account, pre-tax commute benefit, and free lunch) if eligible.
   
   Poly Prep is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right set designer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your set designer job on Zippia to find and recruit set designer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with set designer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new set designer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the set designer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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