Industrial Designer Salary in 2026
Design manufactured products combining art, business, and engineering principles.
Median Salary
$83,910
$6,993/mo
Entry Level
$55,900
starting pay
Senior Level
$114,200
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Commercial and Industrial Designers (SOC 27-1021) at a national median of $83,910 per year (mean $93,260), or $40.34 per hour, with 33,490 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Industrial Designer Overview
Design manufactured products combining art, business, and engineering principles.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Engineering
Total Jobs (US)
33K
5-Year Growth
+8%
Category
Engineering
Hourly Rate
$40.34/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,993
Industrial Designer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Industrial Designer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Industrial Designer Salary
$94,000
$7,833/month · $3,615/biweekly · $45.19/hr
Industrial Designer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Industrial Designer field.
Entry-level Industrial Designers earn around $55,900, while the top 10% earn $127,050 or more.
Top Paying States for Industrial Designers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $99,000 | +$15,090 |
| New York | $96,000 | +$12,090 |
| Oregon | $86,000 | +$2,090 |
| Michigan | $80,000 | $-3,910 |
| Ohio | $80,000 | $-3,910 |
Top Paying Cities for Industrial Designers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $105,000 | +$21,090 |
| New York | $99,000 | +$15,090 |
| Portland | $89,000 | +$5,090 |
| Detroit | $80,000 | $-3,910 |
| Columbus | $79,000 | $-4,910 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Industrial Designer Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Industrial Designer.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Industrial Designer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Industrial Designer from entry level to expert.
$55,900
0-2 years
$85,000
3-7 years
$114,200
8-14 years
$139,900
15+ years
Related Engineering Jobs
Industrial Designer Salary FAQ
How much does a Industrial Designer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Industrial Designer in the United States is $83,910 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Commercial and Industrial Designers (SOC 27-1021); the mean is $93,260. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $55,900, senior professionals around $114,200, and top earners at $139,900 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Industrial Designer?
A Industrial Designer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include CAD/3D Modeling, User Research, Prototyping. Relevant certifications such as IDSA Membership can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Industrial Designers?
The job market for Industrial Designers is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 33K Industrial Designer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 8%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Industrial Designers the most?
The highest-paying states for Industrial Designers include California, Michigan, New York. In California, the median salary is approximately $99,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Industrial Designer salary?
To increase your Industrial Designer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like CAD/3D Modeling and User Research. Pursue certifications such as IDSA Membership. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like San Francisco. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $55,900 to $114,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Industrial Designer Salary
How we calculate Industrial Designer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Commercial and Industrial Designers (SOC 27-1021), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $83,910, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Commercial and Industrial Designers; BLS mean $93,260; BLS hourly median $40.34.
- Entry-level ($55,900) and senior-level ($114,200) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 33,490 Commercial and Industrial Designers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 8% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Engineering sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $83,910; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Industrial Designer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Industrial Designer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Engineering
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Industrial Designer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (CAD/3D Modeling, User Research, Prototyping), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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