Interior Designer Salary in 2026
Interior designers plan and design interior spaces for functionality, safety, and aesthetics. They select furnishings, colors, materials, and lighting to create cohesive environments.
Median Salary
$67,190
$5,599/mo
Entry Level
$44,800
starting pay
Senior Level
$93,100
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Interior Designers (SOC 27-1025) at a national median of $67,190 per year (mean $74,540), or $32.31 per hour, with 71,500 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Interior Designer Overview
Interior designers plan and design interior spaces for functionality, safety, and aesthetics. They select furnishings, colors, materials, and lighting to create cohesive environments.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Creative
Total Jobs (US)
72K
5-Year Growth
+11%
Category
Creative
Hourly Rate
$32.31/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,599
Interior Designer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Interior Designer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Interior Designer Salary
$77,000
$6,417/month · $2,962/biweekly · $37.02/hr
Interior Designer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Interior Designer field.
Entry-level Interior Designers earn around $44,800, while the top 10% earn $111,400 or more.
Top Paying States for Interior Designers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $79,000 | +$11,810 |
| New York | $77,000 | +$9,810 |
| Illinois | $70,000 | +$2,810 |
| Florida | $66,000 | $-1,190 |
| Texas | $66,000 | $-1,190 |
Top Paying Cities for Interior Designers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $79,000 | +$11,810 |
| Los Angeles | $75,000 | +$7,810 |
| Chicago | $71,000 | +$3,810 |
| Miami | $69,000 | +$1,810 |
| Dallas | $67,000 | $-190 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Interior Designer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Interior Designer from entry level to expert.
$44,800
0-2 years
$69,000
3-7 years
$93,100
8-14 years
$129,700
15+ years
Related Creative Jobs
Interior Designer Salary FAQ
How much does a Interior Designer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Interior Designer in the United States is $67,190 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Interior Designers (SOC 27-1025); the mean is $74,540. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $44,800, senior professionals around $93,100, and top earners at $129,700 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Interior Designer?
A Interior Designer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Space Planning, AutoCAD, Color Theory. Relevant certifications such as NCIDQ Certification or LEED AP can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Interior Designers?
The job market for Interior Designers is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 72K Interior Designer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 11%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Interior Designers the most?
The highest-paying states for Interior Designers include New York, California, Florida. In New York, the median salary is approximately $77,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Interior Designer salary?
To increase your Interior Designer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Space Planning and AutoCAD. Pursue certifications such as NCIDQ Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $44,800 to $93,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Interior Designer Salary
How we calculate Interior Designer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Interior Designers (SOC 27-1025), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $67,190, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Interior Designers; BLS mean $74,540; BLS hourly median $32.31.
- Entry-level ($44,800) and senior-level ($93,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 71,500 Interior Designers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 11% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Creative sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $67,190; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Interior Designer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Interior Designer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Creative
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Interior Designer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Space Planning, AutoCAD, Color Theory), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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