An interior designer can create stunning spaces that inspire their clients. Unfortunately, increased competition and a volatile economy have discouraged some from taking this route. As a result, landing a career in the design space remains a pipe dream for many, causing them to gravitate toward professions that emphasize practicality, job security, and earning potential.
So, how much do interior designers make? The average interior designer salary can vary greatly depending on various factors such as education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years in your profession, the earning potential for interior designers is quite lucrative.
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, interior designers in the United States earn a median annual salary of $60,340 per year or $29.01 per hour
If becoming an interior designer is your dream job, and you’re curious about a home designer’s salary, keep reading.
You’ll also find details like the job profile, median wage, working circumstances, how to enter this line of work, and the required interior design credentials you need to become an interior designer.
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Interior Design Job Description
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Interior designers are responsible for creating functional, safe, and attractive spaces for residential and commercial buildings. They are responsible for determining what essential and decorative items indoor spaces require.
Color, materials, space planning, and structural requirements are all important components of the job. Interior designers are able to express themselves creatively, while armed with practical skills surrounding 3D modeling, graphic communications, building codes, construction law, and more.
Interior Designer – Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the national average salary of interior designers in the United States is $60,340 per year or $29.01 per hour.
Indeed.com, a leading job search engine, puts this figure at $62,065 annually. The highest ten percent of all interior designers earned more than $99,070 per year.They also discovered that different disciplines of interior design pay different salaries. Check out the table below to see which areas are most profitable:
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | $63,210 |
| Wholesale trade | $61,820 |
| Specialized design services | $58,840 |
| Furniture Stores | $48,790 |
Things look even more promising outside the country. According to International Interior Design Association (IIDA), an advocacy group working on behalf of 15,000+ commercial designers across 58 countries, average salaries have increased significantly.
The IIDA reports an average base salary of design professionals between $60,000 and $99,000, with higher salaries in the West and the North East. The IIDA agrees and has attributed this number to a booming economy and significant regional disparities.
Interior designers earn a median salary of $17,000 more if they have an NCIDQ certificate and CID certification. Those with LEED certification make 21.71% more than the average salary for an interior designer, which is $62,065 per annum.
Salaries by Years of Experience
According to talent.com, a leading job search platform, experience level plays an important role. While most interior designers with entry-level experience get $50,475, experienced ones get up to $90,000 per year in the U.S.Indeed.com shows the following trajectory of interior designer income in the U.S. based on experience:
| Years of Experience | Per Year |
| Less than 1 year | $52,045 |
| 1 to 2 years | $50,860 |
| 3 to 5 years | – |
| 6 to 9 years | – |
| More than 10 years | $80,626 |
Highest Paying Cities and States in the U.S.
The table below shows the top 3 states in the U.S. in terms of salary level.
| State | Salary |
| Montana | $100,000 |
| Massachusetts | $87,500 |
| Connecticut | $82,500 |
The annual average salary of interior designers in Rhode Island is $77,250.
The top 3 cities in terms of salary for an interior designer in the U.S. are:
| City | Salary |
| New York | $79,171 |
| Los Angeles | $75,351 |
| Atlanta | $68,855 |
Interior Educational Requirements
Proper education is the foundation and the most important factor in an interior designer’s earnings. The economy, work location, and experience are other factors that decide your salary.
A bachelor’s degree remains the typical entry-level education expected of interior designers. This level of education communicates to employers that the individual is familiar with interior design staples, including a core understanding of color, composition, finishes, and materials in addition to skills like computer-assisted design or marketing communications.
Learn how our interior design students walked away with first place at the Providence City Center Scholarship competition.
Modern customers expect sustainable interior designs, and your knowledge of the subject will impact the ability to attract more business. A bachelor’s degree also ensures that interior designers are familiar with the new trends in green building and energy-efficient design.
Interior Designer Salaries: What can you earn with the NCIDQ Certificate?
The Council for Interior Design (CDIQ) is the country’s leading authority on proficiency in interior design principles and a designer’s commitment to the profession.
Their NCIDQ Examination covers seven areas that capture the core competencies of interior design: building systems, codes, construction standards, contract administration, design application, professional practice, and project coordination. The idea is to give clients and employers added confidence in the caliber of work from NCIDQ Certified designers.
According to payscale.com, the average interior designer salary with an NCIDQ certificate stands at $56,927, while the highest is at $76k.
Interior Design Job Growth
The BLS projects that the number of jobs available to interior designers will decrease by five percent between 2019 and 2029. This will sharpen the competition and make jobs that much more challenging to land. Education and additional certification will inevitably become more important to interior designers’ salaries and advancement.
Top Companies for Interior Designers
According to the reviews and recommendations on Glassdoor, the following 3 companies stand out among the top interior designing firms in the industry.
BSA LifeStructures
Started in 1975, BSA LifeStructures currently employs up to 500 people and has annual revenue of $25 to $50 million. The company’s headquarters are in Indianapolis, IN.
CBT Architects
Headquartered in Boston, MA, CBT Architects employs up to 50 people and has annual revenue of $25 to $50 million.
Eastlake Studio
With its headquarters in Chicago, IL, Eastlake Studios employs up to 50 people and has an annual revenue of $1 to $5 million.
In-Demand Skills and Qualifications
According to indeed.com, the core skills required in the interior designer job market are drafting and drawing, computer-aided design (CAD), and understanding codes and building standards.
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FAQ
Is interior design a good job?
According to a report conducted by CareerExplorer, interior design employees rank in the top 30% when it comes to job satisfaction. The area offers a tremendous amount of job security while allowing individuals to indulge their creative side.
How much money does an interior designer make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average interior design salary hovers around $56,000 per year or $26.00 per hour. Higher salaries may also be more common among those working for commercial design companies or individuals with more years on the job.
How much do luxury interior designers make?
An interior designer in the top ten percent of earners will net over $96,000 per year. Higher compensation may be more common among multiple degree holders, individuals with specialized skills or experience in related fields.
How much does an interior designer make out of college?
The lowest ten percent of interior designers earned $31,970. This number is typically associated with entry-level interior designer salaries and is based on information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.