Commercial and Industrial Designers
Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Also called: Art Glass Designer, Automobile Designer, Bank Note Designer, Bicycle Designer, Bike Designer, Boat Designer
Median pay
$83,910
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$53,460 – $139,770
People employed
33,490
Holland code
ARI
Artistic · Realistic · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 4.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Commercial and Industrial Designers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (41 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What commercial and industrial designers do
- 01Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
- 02Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
- 03Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
- 04Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
- 05Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.
- 06Develop industrial standards and regulatory guidelines.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
- Innovation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from commercial and industrial designers
- Mechanical Drafters82% · −15%
- Materials Engineers80% · +35%
- Industrial Engineers77% · +22%
- Mechanical Engineers75% · +24%
- Aerospace Engineers75% · +61%
Change into commercial and industrial designers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Mechanical Drafters83% · $71,550
- Automotive Engineers73% · $104,110
- Electrical and Electronics Drafters73% · $76,870
- Mechatronics Engineers72% · $122,930
- Wind Energy Engineers72% · $122,930
Majors that lead here
- Packaging Science
- Energy Systems Technology/Technician
- Design and Visual Communications, General
- Commercial and Advertising Art
- Industrial and Product Design
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.