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$59

$92

How much do theatre design jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for theatre design in the United States is $59.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.71 and $75.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is theatre design?

Theatre design is the art and practice of creating the visual and spatial elements of a theatrical production, including sets, costumes, lighting, and sometimes sound. Theatre designers collaborate with directors, actors, and other crew members to develop an environment that supports the story, mood, and themes of a performance. Their work helps establish the time period, location, and atmosphere on stage, enhancing the audience’s experience. Theatre designers use creativity, technical skills, and historical research to bring a script to life.

How to get a job in theatre design?

Qualifications for theater design do not necessarily include a degree, although many people who work in set or costume design have a relevant bachelor’s degree. Most individuals get into this field by gaining experience, whether in college theatre programs or by working on small productions or in community theatre. You may begin performing on stage or involving yourself in behind-the-scenes aspects of set design. As you gain experience, you may have the possibility to add your creative input into productions. While you may work for a venue full-time, many theatre design positions are freelance or are available for the duration of a show. One of your most essential skills in this line of work is the ability to levy your contacts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a theatre designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Theatre Designer, you need a solid background in art, design principles, and an understanding of stagecraft, often supported by a degree in theatre design or a related field. Familiarity with design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, as well as knowledge of lighting, sound, and set construction techniques, is typically required. Creativity, strong communication, and collaboration skills enable you to interpret scripts and work effectively with directors and production teams. These abilities are crucial for creating compelling, cohesive stage environments that enhance theatrical storytelling.

How does a theatre designer typically collaborate with directors and other creative team members during a production?

Theatre Designers work closely with directors and other creative professionals, such as lighting designers, costume designers, and stage managers, to ensure that the visual elements support the overall vision of the production. This collaboration often involves attending regular production meetings, sharing sketches and models, and adapting designs based on feedback from the team. Effective communication and flexibility are crucial, as adjustments may be needed to accommodate technical constraints or creative changes. This collaborative environment helps bring the director's vision to life on stage while maintaining artistic cohesion across all design elements.

What is the difference between Theatre Design vs Scenic Design?

AspectTheatre DesignScenic Design
CredentialsDegree in Theatre, Design, or related fieldDegree in Scenic Design, Theatre, or Fine Arts
Work EnvironmentTheatre productions, rehearsals, design studiosTheatre venues, design studios, on-site construction
Industry UsageUsed broadly in theatre, including set, costume, lightingSpecifically refers to designing scenery and backdrops

While Theatre Design encompasses overall visual and aesthetic planning for productions, Scenic Design specifically focuses on creating the physical scenery and backdrops. Both roles require similar credentials and often collaborate closely, but Scenic Design is more specialized in constructing the visual environment on stage.

What can you do with a theatre design degree?

A theatre design degree prepares individuals for careers in scenic, costume, lighting, or sound design for live performances, film, or television. Graduates can work as designers, technical directors, or production managers, often collaborating with directors and producers to create visual concepts and technical plans using industry tools like CAD software. The role requires creativity, technical skills, and knowledge of stagecraft and production processes.

What careers are there in theatre design?

Careers in theatre design include roles such as scenic designer, costume designer, lighting designer, sound designer, and projection designer. These professionals collaborate to create the visual and auditory environment for productions, often requiring knowledge of design software, technical skills, and an understanding of theatrical storytelling.

What does a theatre design do?

A theatre designer creates the visual and functional aspects of a theatre space, including stage layouts, scenery, lighting, and acoustics, to support the production's artistic vision. They collaborate with directors, set designers, and technical teams, often using design software like CAD, to develop plans that ensure safety, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal.
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Theatre Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Theatre Design job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,773 per year, or $59 per hour.

Assistant Professor of Lighting Design

Spartanburg, SC • On-site

Wofford College
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Wofford Collegeexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

The Department of Theatre at Wofford College invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Lighting Design, beginning August 2026. We seek a dynamic artist-educator who is excited to engage with undergraduate students in a liberal arts setting and contribute to a collaborative and forward-thinking theatre program. The Department is housed in the Rosalind S. Richardson Center for the Arts, a state-of-the-art building (opened 2017) that is home to both theatre and visual arts, including a 325-seat proscenium theatre, a 100-seat black box theatre, classrooms, and offices, in addition to extensive gallery, museum, and studio spaces.

For more information about Wofford College and the Department of Theatre, visit the Theatre program page.

Teaching and Production Responsibilities

The successful candidate will

  • Serve as the department's resident lighting designer

  • Teach at least two courses per semester related to design and production, with flexibility to teach in related areas of expertise or interest. The teaching load is 3:1:3, typically including two classroom courses and one course equivalent for production design responsibilities, plus a flexible Interim course during January.

  • Design lighting for all departmental productions (typically 3-4 annually), including:

    • Two main stage shows

    • Two black box projects

    • A student-directed January term production

    • End-of-semester course showcases

  • Mentor and supervise student lighting designers and technicians

  • Maintain and oversee lighting systems in two well-equipped performance venues

  • Collaborate closely with faculty, staff, and guest artists to support a vibrant season

Qualifications

  • MFA in Theatre Design (with a concentration in Lighting Design) required by August 2026 (or MFA in Lighting Design, Theatre Design, Theatre Technology, or another similar terminal degree required by August 2026)

  • Demonstrated excellence or potential in undergraduate teaching (strongly preferred)

  • Professional or academic lighting design experience

  • Commitment to inclusive teaching and supporting a diverse student body

  • Strong collaborative, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills (and a sense of humor)

  • Experience with ETC lighting sytems is required. Knowledge of Vectorworks (preferred) or AutoCAD, QLab, and Lightwright required. Knowledge of Sketchup, Revit, Solidworks, Rhino, or similar programs desirable.

Application Process

For your application to be fully considered, please apply via the Wofford Careers Page and be sure to include the following:

  • Cover letter addressing qualifications and interest in the position

  • Curriculum vitae

  • Portfolio of lighting design work (PDF or link to online portfolio)

  • Statement of teaching philosophy, including approach to inclusive pedagogy

  • Contact information for three professional references

Applications received by February 15, 2026, will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

ABOUT WOFFORD COLLEGE

Wofford College, established in 1854, is a private liberal arts residential college located a few blocks north of downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina. Wofford offers 27 major fields of study to a student body of nearly 1,800 undergraduates and is nationally known for the strength of its academic program, outstanding faculty, and study abroad participation. Wofford is home to one of the nation's 290 Phi Beta Kappa chapters. The college community supports 19 NCAA Division I athletics teams and numerous student organizations, including honor societies, professional organizations, faith-based organizations, Greek life, and club sports.

SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA

Spartanburg is located in upstate South Carolina, 30 miles east of Greenville, South Carolina, an hour from Charlotte, North Carolina, and three hours east of Atlanta, Georgia. Historic Charleston and the South Carolina coast are three hours away, and Wofford sits an hour south of the artistic, culinary hub of Asheville, North Carolina. Spartanburg is a growing, diverse community that supports six college and university campuses along with numerous civic arts and cultural associations. It became the first city in South Carolina to join the Government Alliance on Race and Equity and, in 2012, became one of five cities nationally to participate in the 10-year Wellville program, a national nonprofit initiative dedicated to improving equitable well-being in U.S. cities. Spartanburg and Wofford partner on multiple community equity initiatives, including the Northside Initiative, which has brought together a diverse group of citizens to revitalize a neighborhood in ways that don't reproduce the harm of earlier urban renewal programs.

EEO STATEMENT

Wofford College values diversity within our students, faculty and staff and strives to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people. Wofford College does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For information about Wofford's Title IX compliance, visit wofford.edu/administration/title-ix. It is the policy of Wofford College to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities for employment. If you require any accommodations to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact HumanResources@Wofford.edu.

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