How to Become an Industrial Designer
Design the physical products people use every day, balancing form, function, and manufacturability. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $83,910 per year and about average projected job growth.
Median pay
$83,910/yr
Job growth
3%
Openings / yr
2,500
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Product Design
- CAD Modeling
- Prototyping
- User Research
- Sketching
Helpful certifications
- Portfolio
- SolidWorks certification
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
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Work-life balance
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Stress level
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Satisfaction
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Related careers
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- Fashion Designer$80,960 median
- Editor$77,920 median
- Writer / Author$76,910 median
- Film and Video Editor$75,420 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Industrial Designer make?
The median pay for an Industrial Designer is $83,910 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become an Industrial Designer?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Industrial Design, Fine Arts, and Mechanical Engineering.
Is Industrial Designer a growing field?
The BLS projects about average demand for this role, about 3% over the decade, with roughly 2,500 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does an Industrial Designer use most?
Common skills for this role are Product Design, CAD Modeling, Prototyping, User Research, and Sketching.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.