Commercial and Industrial Designer Salary in 2026

    SOC: 27-1021.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $79,450
    per year
    Salary Range
    $49K – $135K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    30,250
    employed
    Job Growth
    +3.2%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Commercial and Industrial Designers Make?

    Commercial and Industrial Designers earn a median annual salary of $79,450 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $49,390 at the 10th percentile to $134,840 at the 90th percentile — a range of $85,450. The highest-paying state is Washington at $106,720.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$49,390
    25th percentile$62,040
    Median (50th)$79,450
    75th percentile$103,170
    90th percentile$134,840
    10th: $49,390Median: $79,45090th: $134,840
    Section 02

    Commercial and Industrial Designer Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Washingtontop$106,720
    Kansas$100,010
    Massachusetts$99,310
    Indiana$93,860
    Rhode Island$93,340
    California$93,300
    Nevada$87,800
    Michigan$85,460
    New York$85,240
    South Carolina$83,610
    Georgia$81,940
    New Jersey$81,330
    Arizona$80,860
    Arkansas$80,340
    Montana$79,360
    Louisiana$79,060
    Connecticut$79,060
    Virginia$78,190
    Minnesota$78,010
    Missouri$77,790
    Texas$77,540
    New Hampshire$77,240
    Wisconsin$76,160
    Nebraska$76,060
    Pennsylvania$75,960
    Oklahoma$75,940
    Oregon$75,340
    Maryland$75,240
    North Carolina$74,330
    Alabama$74,090
    Ohio$71,370
    Kentucky$70,470
    Iowa$69,210
    Idaho$67,530
    Vermont$67,040
    Florida$66,210
    Utah$66,040
    Illinois$65,290
    Tennessee$59,990
    New Mexico$59,020
    South Dakota$53,020
    North Dakota$51,310
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Commercial and Industrial Designers

    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
    Highest paying
    $114,200
    top metro salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
    $107,780
    $-6,420 vs highest
    Washington
    $106,720
    $-7,480 vs highest
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
    $104,470
    $-9,730 vs highest
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
    $101,090
    $-13,110 vs highest
    Kansas
    $100,010
    $-14,190 vs highest
    Massachusetts
    $99,310
    $-14,890 vs highest
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
    $95,630
    $-18,570 vs highest
    Section 04

    Commercial and Industrial Designer Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$49,390 – $62,040
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$79,450
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$103,170
    Senior (15+ yrs)$134,840+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Commercial and Industrial Designer

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Commercial and Industrial Designers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA earn $114,200 — $34,750 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($103,170) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Commercial and Industrial Designer Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Commercial and Industrial Designerthis career$79,450
    Industrial Engineer$101,140
    Manufacturing Engineer$101,140
    Materials Engineer$108,310
    Mechanical Engineer$102,320

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 27-1021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.