Automotive Designers
Overview
Introduction
Automotive designers, also known as automotive stylists, are specialized industrial designers who combine their technical knowledge of mechanics, production, and materials with artistic talent to improve the style, appearance, and ergonomic and aerodynamic design of automobiles. They work full time at automobile manufacturers, or may work as consultants. Approximately 32,400 industrial designers, including those who specialize in automotive design, are employed in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Salaries for automotive designers vary depending on the company, geographic location, state of the industry, and level of professional experience. Overall, industrial designers in automobile manufacturing earned an average wage of $125,000 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Fifty percent of all industrial engineers earned between $59,170 and $99,290. The lowest 10 percent o...
Work Environment
Workplaces for automotive designers vary depending on the stage of their current project. They work in comfortable offices when doing preliminary sketches, when using computerized design programs, or when brainstorming with other industry professionals. However, they may shift to different areas for other design processes, such as studios when building or modifying prototypes. Some travel may b...
Outlook
Employment of industrial designers in the motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing sector is expected to increase by 3.5 percent through 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This is about as fast as the average for all careers. Consumer demand for innovations in automotive designs and functions and new automobile styles will help to sustain demand by car manufacturers for experi...