Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace commercial and industrial designers?AI replacement risk 66% and how the work is changing

United States Design Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$83,910
25th–75th pct. $66,450–$109,050
Top pay (est.)
$181,700
Top 10% $139,770
Pay in 5 years
$94,700est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$106,800est.
$91,800–$124,000
Outlook score
49/100
★★☆☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
66%
High
Job growth (10 yr)
+2.4%
2,800 openings / yr

Will AI replace Commercial and Industrial Designers? AI replacement risk

66%
High
Ranked #707 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Commercial and Industrial Designers

Key skills

Reading Comprehension
4.1
Active Learning
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Speaking
4.0
Critical Thinking
4.0
Operations Analysis
3.9
Writing
3.9
Complex Problem Solving
3.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Design
6.0
Engineering and Technology
5.7
Computers and Electronics
4.8
Production and Processing
4.6
Mechanical
4.6
Mathematics
4.2
Administration and Management
3.9
Education and Training
3.9

What the work involves

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentThinking CreativelyCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting Information

Important abilities

Deductive ReasoningOriginalityVisualizationNear VisionOral ExpressionFluency of Ideas

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree
68%
Some college
15%
Associate's degree
12%
High school diploma
4%

Training before entry

None / short demo
29%
Up to 1 month
27%
3–6 months
21%
1–3 months
18%
4–10 years
4%

Related work experience

2–4 years
42%
6–12 months
16%
Up to 1 month
11%
6–8 years
11%
4–6 years
7%
8–10 years
4%
None
3%
3–6 months
3%
Over 10 years
3%

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.