Industrial designers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Industrial designers in the United States earn a median salary of $83,910 per year — about $40 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 31K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +3%.
AI & Automation Risk
Industrial design is a predominantly digital occupation where core tasks like sketching, 3D modeling, and rendering are being rapidly transformed by generative AI and advanced CAD automation. While the role requires physical prototyping and cross-functional collaboration, the vast majority of the design process is computer-based, making it highly susceptible to AI-driven productivity gains and workflow restructuring.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $141,310 | Above avg (113.1) | $124,988 |
| Wichita, KS | $105,180 | Below avg (89.4) | $117,623 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $104,210 | Below avg (91.2) | $114,224 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $112,950 | Average (102.5) | $110,210 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $108,180 | Average (98.2) | $110,178 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $119,490 | Above avg (109.7) | $108,882 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $98,260 | Below avg (91.2) | $107,748 |
| Boulder, CO | $107,990 | Average (100.6) | $107,331 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $100,520 | Average (98.3) | $102,283 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $95,160 | Below avg (94.2) | $100,993 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $91,270 | Below avg (90.5) | $100,863 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $98,220 | Average (98.1) | $100,109 |
| Reno, NV | $96,060 | Average (98.0) | $97,995 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $94,680 | Average (100.5) | $94,227 |
| Tulsa, OK | $84,690 | Below avg (89.9) | $94,210 |