1

Set Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

If you're passionate about design, love transforming concepts into immersive environments, and ... As a Set Designer , you'll transform creative concepts into visually compelling environments that ...

Background in scientific teaching or exam/problem-set design. * Experience with computational reproducibility and containerized environments. Application Process (Takes 20-30 mins to complete)

Manager, Product Design, Ring

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$192K/yr

You'll set objectives for the design organization alongside product management and engineering leaders, champion both data-driven design decisions and ambitious AI adoption initiatives You'll ...

Showing results 21-40

Set Design information

See salary details

$13

$30

$54

How much do set design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for set design in the United States is $30.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $44.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are there jobs in set design?

Yes, there are jobs in set design, primarily in the entertainment, theater, and television industries. Set designers create and build physical environments for productions, often requiring skills in design, carpentry, and knowledge of industry software like AutoCAD. Employment can be found with production companies, theaters, and film studios, with roles ranging from entry-level to senior positions.

What is set design?

Set design is the process of creating the physical surroundings in which a film, television show, theater production, or other performance takes place. Set designers are responsible for conceptualizing and building the scenery, backdrops, and props that help bring a script to life and establish the mood and setting. Their work involves collaborating with directors, producers, and other designers to ensure the visual environment supports the story and artistic vision. Set design combines creativity, technical skills, and a strong understanding of architecture and spatial planning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a set designer?

To thrive as a Set Designer, you need a solid background in art, architecture, or theater design, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio of work. Expertise with design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, as well as familiarity with construction methods and materials, is crucial. Creativity, collaboration, and strong communication skills help Set Designers interpret scripts and work effectively with directors and production teams. These abilities ensure that visual environments enhance storytelling and meet both aesthetic and practical production needs.

What does a set design do?

A set designer creates the physical environment for theater, film, or television productions by designing and building sets that support the story and mood. They collaborate with directors and production teams, use tools like CAD software, and oversee construction to ensure the set aligns with the artistic vision. Attention to detail and understanding of space, materials, and safety are essential in this role.

What is the difference between Set Design vs Scenic Painting?

AspectSet DesignScenic Painting
Primary RoleConceptualizing and designing the overall look of a setApplying paint and finishes to create textures and visual effects on set pieces
Skills NeededDesign, drafting, spatial planning, creativityPainting techniques, color theory, craftsmanship
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, theaters, film setsWorkshop, on-location, studio
Common CredentialsDesign degree or related experienceArt or scenic painting experience, portfolio

Set Design involves creating the overall visual concept and layout of a scene, while Scenic Painting focuses on bringing that vision to life through painting and finishing techniques. Both roles are essential in production, often working closely together, but they require different skill sets and responsibilities.

How does a set designer typically collaborate with directors and other creative departments during a production?

Set Designers work closely with directors to understand the vision and mood of the production, ensuring the set supports storytelling and character development. They also coordinate with departments such as lighting, props, and costume to ensure all design elements are cohesive and technically feasible. Regular meetings and design presentations help align everyone’s efforts and resolve any logistical challenges early in the process. This collaborative approach is crucial for creating immersive and functional environments on stage or screen.
More about Set Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Set Design jobs? Cities with the most Set Design job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Set Design jobs? The most popular types of Set Design jobs are:
What states have the most Set Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Set Design jobs include:
Infographic showing various Set Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,069 per year, or $30.8 per hour.

Theater Set Design and Construction

Pacifica Christian High School

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Pacifica HS is seeking a set designer to work with our school students to design and construct sets for our theatrical season. Our season includes a Fall Musical in November, a Spring Play in March, and a student variety show in May.
Qualifications:
  • Teaching, mentoring, and leading high school students.
  • Experience is set design and construction.
  • Construction, carpentry, and scenic painting.

Duties
  • Design and construct a Fall Musical set in collaboration with student volunteers.
  • Design and construct a Spring Play set in collaboration with student volunteers.
  • Embody and demonstrate enthusiasm and support of the school's mission and values.

OUR MISSION
Pacifica Christian High School is a liberal arts high school devoted to teaching young men and women from all neighborhoods to think critically and wisely, instilling heartfelt joy and interest in learning, while encouraging lives of faith, character, and service to the glory of God.
"Pacifica Christian is..."
Pacifica is an independent Christian high school in the heart of Santa Monica, California. We were founded in 2005 and our first class of students graduated in 2008.
"...a liberal arts high school..."
We believe that Pacifica provides a truly distinct version of a classical liberal arts education, incorporating arts and sciences, language, philosophy, and theology into our core graduation requirements. Pacifica is a college preparatory experience that is designed to teach students how to think, not what to think.
"...devoted to teaching young men and women..."
Pacifica is intentionally a coeducational experience, as young men and women learn together in a community of scholars, athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, and philosophers. A distinction of our student body is that they love to come to school, and we would have it no other way.
"...from all neighborhoods..."
Our campus is unlike any other private high school in Los Angeles, integrating families from over 50 different zip codes into a close-knit, supportive community. Pacifica is a welcoming environment for people of all walks of life and all faiths (or no faith at all) and dedicated to Christian precepts and values in all we do. Financial aid is crucial to ensuring our community is accessible for all families and has bridged the gap for hundreds of students since the school's inception.
"...to think critically and wisely..."
Students are faced with a new problem in their education: not a lack of resources, but an infinite number of uncurated sources that can have a profound influence at a critical time in their intellectual development. Pacifica students learn to discern what is true, what is right, and what is good from teachers who pursue integrity and wisdom in their own lives and who are committed to providing mentorship and quality instruction.
"...instilling heartfelt joy in learning..."
High school should not be a competitive proving ground, but unfortunately, the college landscape has impacted the virtue of learning for learning's sake. Pacifica students are encouraged to find a balance between rigor and relaxation-a practice intentionally implemented throughout the class schedule, homework load, and coursework itself.
"...while encouraging lives of faith, character, and service to the glory of God."
As a Christian school, Pacifica students learn from faculty who live out their faith. In the classroom and through other experiences, students are encouraged to examine their own relationship with God by exploring life's most important questions, contemplating meaning and purpose, and pursuing goodness and truth in their day to day lives. As a community, we daily strive to love God with hearts, souls, and minds, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:34-40).