If you’re thinking about getting into interior design, you’ve probably heard two very different stories. One involves a glamorous lifestyle, sipping espresso while picking out $500-a-yard velvet for a billionaire's penthouse. The other? A cubicle in a lighting showroom where you're basically a glorified salesperson.
The truth about the average salary for an interior designer sits somewhere in the messy middle. It's not always a gold mine, but it’s far from a dead-end job.
Honestly, the numbers you see on Google are often a bit misleading. You might see a "national average" and think that's what you'll make, but your paycheck depends almost entirely on whether you're working for a massive architectural firm, a tiny boutique, or yourself.
The Real Numbers: What is the Average Salary for an Interior Designer?
As of early 2026, most data points from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and industry trackers like ZipRecruiter suggest the average annual pay for an interior designer in the United States is roughly $63,000 to $73,000.
That's the "middle of the road" figure.
If you're just starting out—maybe you just grabbed your degree and you're still learning the difference between a sconce and a pendant—expect to see entry-level offers around $46,000 to $53,000. On the flip side, the top 10% of earners, usually those with 10+ years of experience or a high-end niche, are clearing $103,000 to $112,000 annually.
The spread is huge. It's not like being a teacher or a nurse where the pay scales are relatively predictable. In design, you’re basically a mix of an artist and a project manager, and you get paid for how much "mess" you can handle.
Why the Location Matters (A Lot)
You can't talk about salary without talking about where you live. Designing a ranch in Nebraska is a different financial beast than renovating a brownstone in Brooklyn.
California is currently the king of design pay. In cities like San Francisco or San Jose, average salaries often push past $85,000, with top-tier designers in places like Carmel or Soledad hitting six figures easily.
Illinois and Georgia are also surprisingly high payers, with average wages hovering between $76,000 and $82,000. Meanwhile, if you're working in Florida or Mississippi, that average might dip closer to $54,000. It’s the cost of living tax, basically.
Breaking Down the Pay by Experience Level
You aren't going to be rich on day one. Interior design has a steep "paying your dues" period.
- The Junior Phase (0-2 Years): You're doing the "redlines." This means you're fixing drawings, calling vendors to see why the tile is late, and making coffee. You'll likely earn between $53,000 and $57,000.
- The Mid-Level Sweet Spot (5-8 Years): By now, you've probably got your NCIDQ certification. You're running your own small projects. This is where you hit that $65,000 to $75,000 range.
- The Senior/Principal Tier (10+ Years): You’re no longer just "designing." You’re bringing in clients. If you're a Senior Interior Designer or a Design Manager, you’re looking at $90,000 to $115,000.
Experience isn't just about years; it's about the "spec" level. A designer who knows how to handle complex commercial building codes or healthcare requirements is always going to out-earn someone who only does residential "fluffing."
Firms vs. Freelance: Who Wins?
This is the big question.
Working for a firm—especially a big architectural one like Gensler or Perkins&Will—gives you a steady paycheck, health insurance, and maybe a 401(k). You'll probably start higher but have a "ceiling" unless you become a partner.
Freelancing is a different animal. According to 2026 data, self-employed interior designers average about $72,000, but that number is tricky. Some make $30,000 because they can't find clients, while others make $250,000 because they charge a 20% markup on every stick of furniture they sell.
If you go solo, you're the designer, the accountant, and the janitor. Your "salary" is whatever is left after you pay for your Revit subscription and your health insurance.
The Skills That Actually Bump Your Paycheck
If you want to beat the average salary for an interior designer, you can't just be "good with colors." That's a hobby, not a career.
The highest-paid designers are tech-heavy. If you're a wizard at Revit or BIM (Building Information Modeling), you are worth significantly more to a firm than someone who only uses 2D AutoCAD. Firms will pay a premium—sometimes a 10-15% bump—for designers who can integrate with the architects' technical workflow.
Also, don't sleep on project management. Being able to keep a contractor on schedule and a budget from exploding is a rare skill.
Expert Insight: Designers who specialize in "Sustainable Design" or have a LEED certification are seeing a 5-8% increase in base offers lately. As building codes get stricter about carbon footprints, those credentials move from "nice to have" to "mandatory."
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Misconceptions About the Job
People think interior design is interior decorating. It’s not.
Decorators don't need a license and usually make less—often averaging around $45,000 to $55,000. Designers have to understand structural loads, egress codes, and fire ratings. If you're doing the work of a designer but don't have the "Interior Designer" title or the proper education, you're leaving money on the table.
Another shocker? Most designers spend less than 20% of their time actually being "creative." The rest is emails, spreadsheets, and yelling at FedEx. If you can't handle the administrative side, you'll struggle to move up to those $90k+ roles.
International Context
If you're reading this from outside the US, the vibe is similar but the currency changes.
In Canada, for instance, the average is around C$59,000 to C$64,000. Like the US, it’s very province-dependent. A designer in Vancouver or Toronto is going to make way more than someone in New Brunswick.
In the UK, junior roles often start quite low—sometimes around £25,000—but senior roles in London can scale up to £70,000+.
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Actionable Steps to Increase Your Earnings
If you feel like you're stuck at the bottom of the pay scale, you don't just have to wait for a 3% annual raise. You can actually move the needle yourself.
- Get Certified: If you haven't taken the NCIDQ exam, do it. Many firms won't even consider you for a "Senior" title (and the accompanying raise) without it.
- Learn the Tech: Moving from SketchUp to Revit is the single fastest way to make yourself more employable in high-paying commercial firms.
- Niche Down: Generalists are a dime a dozen. "Healthcare interior designers" or "Hospitality specialists" earn more because the stakes are higher.
- Master the "Business of Design": If you’re freelance, stop charging just by the hour. Learn how to do "Value-Based Pricing" or project fees. Hourly billing caps your income; flat fees with product markups allow for much higher margins.
- Track Your "Win" Data: When you ask for a raise, don't just say you work hard. Show how your designs stayed under budget or how your project management saved the firm from a $10,000 mistake.
The average salary for an interior designer isn't a fixed destiny. It’s a baseline. Whether you stay there or climb into the six-figure territory depends more on your technical chops and business sense than your ability to pick the perfect shade of "greige."