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What is a stage set designer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Abby Guido
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a stage set designer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $30.79 an hour? That's $64,034 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 6,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a stage set designer?

We've all heard the buzz about networking, and there is so much buzz because it works. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is both up to date and active. Connect with all of your past professors, classmates, and anyone and everyone you meet in a professional setting. I often tell students to get into the habit of searching for any classroom guests, or guest lecturers, to connect, thank them for their time, and build their network. Share content. Write articles, or reshare those you find interesting.

Every job I have ever received in my career has been through someone else I know. I share this with students to help them see the value in relationships. I always remember the students that took the time to write a handwritten thank-you note. And I think of them when I get an email asking if I know any students are looking for work.
ScoreStage Set DesignerUS Average
Salary
5.0

Avg. Salary $64,034

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.6

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.40%

Asian 11.38%

Black or African American 2.79%

Hispanic or Latino 10.03%

Unknown 4.75%

White 70.65%

Gender

female 35.77%

male 64.23%

Age - 41
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 - 41
Stress level
5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
2.3

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Stage set designer career paths

Key steps to become a stage set designer

  1. Explore stage set designer education requirements

    Most common stage set designer degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.6 %

    Master's

    10.8 %

    Associate

    8.1 %

  2. Start to develop specific stage set designer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Processing Data11.99%
    Data Models11.42%
    Unix9.35%
    Data Warehouse9.21%
    DataStage8.75%
    Show more

  3. Research stage set designer duties and responsibilities

    • Develop marketing and brand awareness initiatives through social media outlets; create and manage company Facebook and Houzz profiles.
    • Help in preparing a database of all projects leading to better organization and subsequent increase in productivity.
    • Use architectural and structural-base external reference drawings files as backgrounds for communication, electrical, HVAC mechanical and structural revisions.

  4. Apply for stage set designer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a stage set designer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

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

How did you land your first stage set designer job

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Average stage set designer salary

The average stage set designer salary in the United States is $64,034 per year or $31 per hour. Stage set designer salaries range between $37,000 and $109,000 per year.

Average stage set designer salary
$64,034 Yearly
$30.79 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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