Interior Designer Salary
by City (2026)
Plan and design indoor spaces for functionality, aesthetics, and safety. National median: $58K/year. See how your city compares.
Interior Designer salary by city
Sorted by median salaryCOL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?
A $58K Interior Designer salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.
Try COL Calculator βInterior Designer Salary Guide (2026)
The national median salary for a Interior Designer is $58,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $42,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $80,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Interior Designers nationally earn $108,000+.
Education and requirements
Bachelor's in Interior Design; NCIDQ certification. This role is 38% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.
Salary growth outlook
Interior Designer compensation is growing at 3.2% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.
Interior Designer salary FAQ
How much does a Interior Designer make?
The median Interior Designer salary in the US is $58,000 per year β about $28/hour. Most earn between $42,000 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (75th percentile).
What is the starting salary for a Interior Designer?
Entry-level Interior Designer positions typically start around $42,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.
How much do the highest-paid Interior Designers earn?
The top 10% of Interior Designers earn $108,000 or more per year β usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.
Which city pays Interior Designers the most?
San Francisco has the highest median Interior Designer salary at $87K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.
Are Interior Designer salaries going up?
Yes β Interior Designer pay is growing about 3.2% year over year, near the US average wage-growth rate.