Set designer vs exhibit builder

The differences between set designers and exhibit builders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a set designer and an exhibit builder. Additionally, a set designer has an average salary of $57,970, which is higher than the $55,550 average annual salary of an exhibit builder.

The top three skills for a set designer include set design, art direction and photography. The most important skills for an exhibit builder are exhibit structures, shop tools, and exhibit components.

Set designer vs exhibit builder overview

	Set Designer	Exhibit Builder
Yearly salary	$57,970	$55,550
Hourly rate	$27.87	$26.71
Growth rate	3%	-5%
Number of jobs	49,102	2,879
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Set designer vs exhibit builder salary

Set designers and exhibit builders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Set Designer	Exhibit Builder
Average salary	$57,970	$55,550
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $94,000	Between $26,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	New Windsor, NY	-
Highest paying state	New Jersey	-
Best paying company	Stanley Black & Decker	-
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between set designer and exhibit builder education

There are a few differences between a set designer and an exhibit builder in terms of educational background:

	Set Designer	Exhibit Builder
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common major	Fine Arts	Graphic Design
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Set designer vs exhibit builder demographics

Here are the differences between set designers' and exhibit builders' demographics:

	Set Designer	Exhibit Builder
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%	Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 11.4% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 2.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 11.4% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between set designer and exhibit builder duties and responsibilities

Set designer example 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.

Exhibit builder example responsibilities.

Verify ISO's and check layout of piping to conform to model.
Assign items from CPM sheets to project schedule for cost loading and pay applications.
Fabricate composite and aluminum full validating fixtures for interior and exterior vehicle build.
Verify ISO's and check layout of piping to conform to model.

Set designer vs exhibit builder skills

Common set designer skills

Set Design, 36%
Art Direction, 17%
Photography, 9%
CAD, 6%
Graphic Design, 6%
Concept Development, 5%

Common exhibit builder skills

Exhibit Structures, 38%
Shop Tools, 29%
Exhibit Components, 17%
Trade Shows, 16%

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Set Designer
Set Designer vs Exhibit Builder

Updated January 8, 2025

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