Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Commercial and industrial designers combine creativity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving to develop products and systems for a wide range of uses. Nationally, this occupation employs about 31,000 people, with a projected employment growth of 3.2%. With approximately 2,000 annual openings, there is a consistent flow of opportunities for new entrants and experienced professionals. The national median annual salary of $79,450 reflects solid earning potential for those who develop strong skills in creativity and innovation, computers and information technology, and analytical thinking. Top states such as California, Massachusetts, and New York, as well as metro areas like San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara and New York-Newark-Jersey City, offer particularly strong opportunity scores that may appeal to job seekers willing to consider relocation. A bachelor’s degree is the typical education level for this field, supported by skills in science, mathematics, mechanical knowledge, and project management. Related pathways include industrial engineers, engineering technologists and technicians, and marine engineers and naval architects.
Commercial and industrial designers earn a national median annual salary of $79,450, offering a solid income baseline across the profession. Salaries can vary significantly by location. Among the top states, California reports a median of $100,770, Massachusetts $101,720, New York $89,640, Colorado $90,590, and Washington $94,280, indicating higher median pay in several key markets compared with the national figure. At the metro level, differences are even more pronounced. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro shows a median salary of $141,310, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reaches $104,000. Other leading metros such as Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ post median salaries of $102,530 and $94,890 respectively. These numbers suggest that, for professionals who meet the skill requirements and are open to specific regions, there can be substantial earning potential beyond the national median.
Commercial and industrial designers have national employment of about 31,000, with projected employment growth of 3.2%. This projected growth indicates that employment is expected to expand rather than contract over the forecast period. With approximately 2,000 annual openings, there appears to be an ongoing need to replace workers who leave the occupation as well as to support new positions. The same 3.2% growth rate is reflected in several key states and metro areas, including California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, Washington, and top metros such as San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara and New York-Newark-Jersey City. This consistency suggests a broadly similar growth outlook across many leading markets. For students and job seekers, the combination of a defined national employment base, explicit projected growth, and a steady number of annual openings indicates a field where planning a long-term career path is feasible, especially when combined with the required education and skills.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for commercial and industrial designers. Among states, California and Massachusetts stand out with both high median salaries ($100,770 and $101,720) and strong CareerGPS opportunity scores (67.38 and 65.87). New York also shows a notable opportunity score of 65.78 with a median salary of $89,640 and employment of 2,400, offering a sizable job base. Colorado and Washington provide opportunity scores in the mid-50s, with median pay around $90,590 and $94,280 respectively, and smaller employment levels. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the highest opportunity score at 77.42 and a very high median salary of $141,310, despite relatively modest employment of 410. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro combines a high opportunity score of 77.27 with the largest listed employment (2,560). San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also pair six-figure or near six-figure median salaries with solid opportunity scores, offering additional strong regional options.
Commercial and industrial designers typically need a bachelor’s degree, providing a structured foundation for the broad mix of skills this occupation uses. The role draws heavily on creativity and innovation, supported by knowledge in computers and information technology, science, and mathematics. Strong problem solving and decision making, along with critical and analytical thinking, help designers evaluate options and refine concepts. Being detail oriented is important, as is the ability to communicate through speaking and listening in collaborative settings. Project management skills support planning and coordination, while mechanical knowledge contributes to understanding how products or systems function. Together, these skills form a profile that blends artistic thinking, technical competence, and organized execution. For students and career changers, aiming for a bachelor’s program that develops these abilities can help align education with the expectations of employers in this field and prepare for related paths such as industrial engineers or engineering technologists and technicians.
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