Career Paths From Commercial and Industrial Designers

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Materials EngineersCareer Change92.3% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Materials Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Materials Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 35% higher.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$112,860
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Mechanical DraftersCareer Change88% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Mechanical Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (88% match). Mechanical Drafters is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 15% lower.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$71,550
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Materials ScientistsCareer Change88.3% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Materials Scientists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (88% match). Materials Scientists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 40% higher.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$117,790
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Aerospace EngineersCareer Change89.8% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Aerospace Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Aerospace Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 61% higher.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$134,960
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Software DevelopersCareer Change89.5% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Software Developers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Software Developers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 62% higher.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$135,980
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety EngineersCareer Change90.3% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 27% higher.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$106,220
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Agricultural EngineersCareer Change90.1% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Agricultural Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Agricultural Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 17% higher.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$98,590
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Biochemists and BiophysicistsCareer Change88.6% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Biochemists and Biophysicists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Biochemists and Biophysicists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 52% higher.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$127,410
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
OrthodontistsCareer Change89% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Orthodontists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Orthodontists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 245% higher.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$289,140
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Architectural and Civil DraftersCareer Change88.1% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Architectural and Civil Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (88% match). Architectural and Civil Drafters is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 21% lower.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$66,150
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Industrial EngineersLateral Move0% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Industrial Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Industrial Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 22% higher.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$102,440
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Fashion DesignersLateral Move0% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Fashion Designers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Fashion Designers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 4% lower.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$80,960
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Mechanical EngineersLateral Move0% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Mechanical Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Mechanical Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 24% higher.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$104,110
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and TechniciansLateral Move0% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 11% lower.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$74,510
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Model Makers, Metal and PlasticLateral Move0% skill match
Commercial and Industrial Designers and Model Makers, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Model Makers, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 25% lower.
Current median salary
$83,910
Target median salary
$63,340
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.