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Zoo Exhibit Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Idaho Falls, ID

Zoo Keeper

Idaho Falls, ID · On-site

Provides input to supervisors on exhibit design or modification. Inspects exhibits on a daily basis ... Monitors zoo facilities to ensure the safety of zoo patrons and employees. Assists with a variety ...

The CALDWELL ZOO

Horticulture Internship

Tyler, TX · On-site

$14.25 - $18.75/hr

Maintain zoo landscapes to include watering, fertilizing, weeding, planting, etc. * Exhibit design considerations * Greenhouse production to include bedding plant and hanging basket maintenance

Houston Zoo

Graphic Designer

Houston, TX · On-site

Environmental or exhibit design experience About Houston Zoo Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical ...

John Ball Zoo

Senior Zookeeper - Area 2

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$20.62 - $24.03/hr

Experience with reptile and amphibian exhibit design, including environmental parameter management ... John Ball Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1983 which assures ...

houstonzoo

Graphic Designer

Houston, TX

Environmental or exhibit design experience About Houston Zoo Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical ...

houstonzoo

Graphic Designer

Houston, TX · On-site

Environmental or exhibit design experience About Houston Zoo Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical ...

Zoological Society

Interpretation Manager

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$52K - $57K/yr

... exhibit design, coordinates and delivers theme day celebrations, and plays an active role in Zoo-wide exhibit and strategic planning processes. Why join the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium? The Pittsburgh ...

New

Zoological Society

Interpretation Manager

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$52K - $57K/yr

... exhibit design, coordinates and delivers theme day celebrations, and plays an active role in Zoo-wide exhibit and strategic planning processes. Why join the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium? The Pittsburgh ...

New

Ideum

Exhibit Designer

Corrales, NM

$55K - $75K/yr

The role is focused on the design, integration, and coordination of exhibits and other scenic ... Experience with museums, zoos, aquariums, science centers, or other interpretive public spaces is a ...

Ideum

Exhibit Designer

Corrales, NM

The role is focused on the design, integration, and coordination of exhibits and other scenic ... Experience with museums, zoos, aquariums, science centers, or other interpretive public spaces is a ...

Ideum

Exhibit Designer

Corrales, NM · On-site

$55K - $75K/yr

The role is focused on the design, integration, and coordination of exhibits and other scenic ... Experience with museums, zoos, aquariums, science centers, or other interpretive public spaces is a ...

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Zoo Exhibit Design information

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$14

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$44

How much do zoo exhibit design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for zoo exhibit design in the United States is $27.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $31.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying job in a zoo?

The highest paying job in a zoo is typically the zoo director or executive director, who oversees operations, staff, and strategic planning. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong leadership skills, with salaries ranging from $80,000 to over $150,000 annually depending on the size and location of the zoo.

How much does a zoo designer make?

Zoo exhibit designers typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and project complexity. Senior designers or those with specialized skills in habitat simulation or environmental enrichment can earn higher salaries. The role often requires knowledge of design software and understanding of animal habitats.

How to get a job in exhibition design?

To pursue a career in exhibition design, develop skills in graphic design, architecture, or interior design, and gain experience through internships or entry-level positions. A bachelor's degree in a related field is often required, and proficiency with design software like AutoCAD or Adobe Creative Suite is beneficial. Building a strong portfolio and understanding project management can improve job prospects.

What is a Zoo Exhibit Design job?

A Zoo Exhibit Design job involves creating engaging, safe, and naturalistic habitats for animals in zoos and wildlife parks. Designers must balance animal welfare, visitor experience, and educational goals while considering environmental and sustainability factors. This role requires collaboration with zoologists, architects, and engineers to ensure the habitat meets the physical and behavioral needs of the animals. Tasks may include research, sketching concepts, overseeing construction, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The goal is to design exhibits that foster conservation awareness while providing enriching environments for both animals and visitors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Zoo Exhibit Design position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Zoo Exhibit Design, you need a background in architecture, landscape design, or a related field, along with knowledge of animal welfare and habitat requirements. Proficiency with CAD software, 3D modeling tools, and an understanding of industry standards like AZA accreditation guidelines are typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and strong problem-solving skills are vital for balancing animal needs with visitor experience and operational constraints. These skills ensure that exhibits are safe, engaging, sustainable, and compliant with professional standards.

What does a zoo designer do?

A zoo designer plans and creates animal exhibits, ensuring they are functional, safe, and engaging for visitors and animals. They use skills in architecture, landscape design, and environmental enrichment, often collaborating with biologists and engineers to develop realistic habitats. The role may require knowledge of safety standards, environmental sustainability, and the use of design software like AutoCAD or SketchUp.

What are some of the main challenges faced by professionals in zoo exhibit design?

Zoo exhibit designers commonly face the challenge of creating environments that meet the complex physical and psychological needs of diverse animal species while also engaging and educating the public. Balancing budget constraints, regulatory requirements, and the integration of evolving animal welfare standards into the design process can be demanding. Designers often collaborate with veterinarians, animal keepers, engineers, and educators to ensure the exhibits are functional, safe, and enriching for both animals and visitors. This multidisciplinary nature requires adaptability and continuous learning to keep up with best practices in both design and animal care.

More about Zoo Exhibit Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Zoo Exhibit Design jobs? Cities with the most Zoo Exhibit Design job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Zoo Exhibit Design jobs? The most popular types of Zoo Exhibit Design jobs are:
What states have the most Zoo Exhibit Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Zoo Exhibit Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Zoo Exhibit Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Zoo Exhibit Design jobs are:
Zoo Exhibit Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Zoo Exhibit Design job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,220 per year, or $28 per hour.

Exhibit Designer - Kraemer Design + Production

PlayCore

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

PlayCore rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Kraemer Design + Production (KD+P) is seeking an mid-career Exhibit Designer to help create imaginative, educational, and highly engaging visitor experiences for children's museums, science centers, nature centers, visitor centers, and family-focused attractions. KD+P specializes in interactive experiential exhibit design and production, supporting projects from concept design through installation, including interpretive environments, graphics, lighting, media, cabinetry, special effects, and hands-on interactive components.
The Exhibit Designer will translate client content, educational goals, and audience needs into memorable, durable, and buildable exhibit experiences. This role is ideal for a creative designer who enjoys storytelling through space, play, physical interaction, visual communication, and collaborative problem solving.
Key Responsibilities
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for clients
  • Develop exhibit concepts that transform client content into engaging, family-centered experiences with clear visitor takeaways.
  • Create sketches, mood boards, spatial studies, 2D layouts, 3D models, renderings, and presentation materials that communicate design intent.
  • Design hands-on interactives that are intuitive, durable, safe, inclusive, and appropriate for children, caregivers, school groups, and multigenerational audiences.
  • Collaborate with project managers, content developers, graphic designers, media designers, architects, fabricators, engineers, and client stakeholders throughout the design process.
  • Support master planning, concept design, schematic design, detail design, and production documentation phases.
  • Integrate interpretive goals, learning objectives, visitor flow, accessibility, ergonomics, materials, finishes, lighting, graphics, audio, media, and fabrication considerations into cohesive exhibit environments.
  • Prepare design documentation, including plans, elevations, sections, details, material references, interactive descriptions, and fabrication notes.
  • Participate in client presentations, design reviews, charrettes, internal critiques, and coordination meetings.
  • Prototype, test, and refine interactive ideas as needed to improve usability, visitor engagement, durability, and educational impact.
  • Coordinate with fabrication partners to ensure design intent is maintained while adapting to budget, schedule, material, and constructability requirements.
  • Review shop drawings, samples, mockups, and installed conditions for consistency with the approved design.
  • Stay current on museum, attraction, play, learning, accessibility, and interactive design trends.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in exhibit design, industrial design, environmental design, architecture, interior design, themed entertainment design, museum studies, graphic design, or a related field; equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
  • Professional portfolio demonstrating strong conceptual thinking, visual storytelling, spatial design, and hands-on or experiential design work.
  • Experience developing visitor-centered environments, exhibits, interactives, themed spaces, educational environments, play environments, or public-facing attractions.
  • Strong sketching, visualization, layout, and presentation skills.
  • Working knowledge of 2D and 3D design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Rhino, Revit, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, SolidWorks, or similar software.
  • Ability to design within real-world constraints, including budgets, schedules, fabrication methods, maintenance needs, accessibility, safety, and durability.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to explain design ideas clearly to internal teams, clients, and fabrication partners.
  • Detail-oriented approach with the ability to move between big-picture concept development and practical production documentation.
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, respond to feedback, and contribute in a collaborative studio environment.

Preferred Experience
  • Experience designing exhibits for children's museums, science centers, nature centers, visitor centers, aquariums, zoos, libraries, cultural institutions, or family entertainment venues.
  • Understanding of child development, family learning, informal education, universal design, ADA accessibility, and visitor behavior.
  • Experience with mechanical, low-tech, digital, media-based, sensory, role-play, water, air, light, sound, motion, or cause-and-effect interactives.
  • Knowledge of materials, finishes, cabinetry, casework, graphics, lighting, audiovisual systems, and exhibit fabrication techniques.
  • Experience participating in design charrettes, stakeholder workshops, client presentations, and interdisciplinary project meetings.
  • Experience coordinating with architects, contractors, engineers, fabricators, installers, educators, evaluators, and content experts.

What Success Looks Like
  • You create exhibit ideas that are imaginative, hands-on, visitor-centered, educationally meaningful, and practical to build.
  • You can turn complex content into simple, engaging, hands-on experiences that invite participation and discovery.
  • You balance creativity with the realities of fabrication, installation, maintenance, safety, and client goals.
  • You communicate visually and verbally with clarity, confidence, and flexibility.
  • You contribute positively to a collaborative team culture and help projects move forward with thoughtful design solutions.

Work Style and Expectations
The Exhibit Designer should be comfortable working in a fast-moving, project-based studio where ideas are developed collaboratively and refined through feedback. This position requires curiosity, resourcefulness, humility, strong follow-through, and a willingness to solve design challenges at multiple scales-from the overall visitor journey to the touchpoint details of an individual interactive.
Application Materials
  • Resume
  • Portfolio or work samples showing concept development, spatial design, interactive design, rendering, documentation, and completed project experience where available
  • Brief note describing why you are interested in designing interactive family-focused experiences with KD+P

Equal Opportunity Statement
KD+P is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and encourage candidates who bring different perspectives, experiences, and creative approaches to exhibit design.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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