by Melissa Skipworth
The tradeshow and experiential marketing industry merges creative design with complex logistics—and compensation reflects that intricate balance. Salaries vary widely depending on city, company size and union coverage, according to newly compiled data comparing the nation’s three premier convention hubs: Las Vegas, Chicago, and Orlando.
“Where creativity meets logistics, paychecks follow the pressure.”
Client Services and Sales
Account management and sales remain among the most lucrative roles in the exhibit and events world.
In Las Vegas, account managers typically earn between $70,000 and $110,000 annually, with total compensation averaging about $109,000 when bonuses and commissions are included.
Chicago mirrors those numbers, ranging from $70,000 to over $100,000, supported by major corporate accounts tied to McCormick Place.
In Orlando, base salaries trend slightly lower—$70,000 to $90,000—though performance-based pay often bridges the gap.
At the director level, salaries in both Las Vegas and Chicago range from $150,000 to $220,000 or more, depending on company size and revenue responsibility.
Sources: Zippia; Glassdoor; Indeed.
Project and Program Management
Project managers are the backbone of exhibit execution—coordinating clients, crews and deadlines.
In Chicago, PMs overseeing major builds average $97,500 per year, while senior project managers often exceed $108,000.
Las Vegas follows closely at $92,600, supported by its dense year-round show schedule.
Orlando trails slightly but remains competitive for managers handling national clients and recurring programs.
Sources: Glassdoor; Zippia; Salary.com.
“Project managers don’t just manage builds—they manage the heartbeat of every show.”
Design, Detailing and Engineering
Design and engineering pay often reflect both the cost of living and the available talent pool.
In Chicago, CAD detailers earn about $69,000 annually.
Orlando detailers average in the mid-$50,000s to mid-$60,000s, while Las Vegas runs comparable to Chicago’s rates.
Designers show similar ranges: Orlando “show set” and museum exhibit designers average $64,000, Chicago CAD designers hover around $53,000–$54,000, and Las Vegas designers earn comparable rates, with 3D and structural specialists commanding higher pay.
Sources: ZipRecruiter; Glassdoor.
Union Labor and Show-Site Trades
Union contracts drive pay for Install & Dismantle (I&D) and stagecraft crews, shaping compensation across the country.
In general, union exhibit labor earns $30 to $60 per hour, depending on classification and seniority.
Las Vegas Teamsters Local 631 lists general laborers around $32 per hour, with premiums for overtime and specialized work.
At McCormick Place in Chicago, pay structures follow a similar pattern, while IATSE Local 720 (Las Vegas) stagehands average $23 per hour—roughly $49,000 annually with steady work.
Orlando’s IATSE Local 631 members earn $18 to $20 per hour, with overtime significantly increasing annual totals.
Sources: IATSE Locals 720 & 631; Teamsters Local 631; ZipRecruiter.
“Union halls keep the lights on and the trusses up—hour by hour.”
Audio-Visual Technicians
AV technicians bring exhibits to life through lighting, sound and immersive experiences.
In Las Vegas, AV techs earn $57,000–$63,000 annually, with larger providers offering $19–$29 per hour plus overtime.
Chicago averages $30 per hour, or about $62,000 yearly, while Orlando techs typically make $58,000–$61,000.
Leads and senior operators often command a premium.
Sources: Glassdoor; Zippia; Comparably.
Warehouse and Field Operations
Behind every exhibit is a logistics team managing inventory, freight, and field crews.
Warehouse managers earn $85,000–$105,000 in Chicago and Orlando, and about $93,000 in Las Vegas.
The city manager role—responsible for show-site leadership—averages $80,000–$120,000 or more, varying by company scale and travel load.
Sources: Salary.com; Zippia.
Graphics and Production Art
Visual production remains a vital link between design and delivery.
In Las Vegas, graphics managers earn around $94,000 annually, with Chicago trending slightly higher and Orlando slightly lower.
Graphic designers in Las Vegas make $19–$30 per hour, while Chicago designers earn mid-$50,000s per year and Orlando averages about $60,000.
Production artists and print specialists follow comparable ranges.
Sources: Glassdoor; ZipRecruiter; Salary.com.
“From pixels to print, the graphics department turns ideas into impact.”
Key Takeaways
Chicago leads in pay for project managers and operations specialists, driven by union density and large-scale shows.
Las Vegas remains highly competitive in sales, AV and leadership roles thanks to its nonstop convention calendar.
Orlando offers a cost-effective environment with stable opportunities for designers, coordinators, and AV professionals.
Across all markets, pay reflects the complexity and prestige of each production—the largest and most intricate shows continue to attract, and reward, the highest earners.
Sources: Glassdoor; Salary.com; Zippia; Indeed; ZipRecruiter; Comparably; McCormick Place labor transparency data; International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Local 631); IATSE Locals 720 and 631.
Companies Surveyed: Freeman, Czarnowski, MC2, Astound Group, Impact XM, GES, Encore and Nth Degree.
Image credit: Adobe Stock
This story originally appeared in the Q1 2026 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 42. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_jan_feb_mar_2026/42.
