How much does a display designer make?
Answer: A typical display designer in the United States makes $39,390 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 165,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Display designer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,760 | $39,390 | $58,370 | about 165,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $48,780 | about 3,000 |
| California | $47,010 | about 18,000 |
| Alaska | $46,530 | about 540 |
| Maine | $45,750 | about 910 |
| Minnesota | $45,730 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experience and stronger skills can raise pay, as can harder displays with more responsibility. Pay also varies by employer or industry and location; useful certification may help when employers value it. Hours and shifts can affect take-home pay too, since overtime and shift premiums are separate from base pay.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a display designer do?
Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.
What's a typical day like?
They check with sales staff on what to feature, then choose a theme, colors, lights, and props. They arrange products, signs, and mannequins, refresh displays when promotions change, and photograph or touch up the finished scene.
How to get this job
In the US, people commonly start after high school or a GED; technical-school classes or related retail/design experience help, and a college degree is not always needed. They can learn on the job or through a registered apprenticeship.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like creating and building and doing.
Did you know?
Some display designers decorate streets or exhibit halls with flags, banners, and festive lights—not just store windows.
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Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/27-1026.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/27-1026.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY