Interior design is an exciting and creative field that allows professionals to help shape indoor spaces for clients. However, many prospective interior designers wonder—how much can they earn in this profession? While salaries vary based on factors like location and experience, interior designers have solid earning potential across the country.
Introduction
An interior designer is a professional who designs interior spaces to meet client needs and preferences. Their role involves creating aesthetically pleasing environments that are also functional and conducive to clients’ lifestyles. Interior designers work on commercial and residential projects, including homes, offices, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and more. They collaborate with architects, contractors, and other specialists to bring spaces to life.
Understanding the earning potential in interior design is important for those considering the field. Salary ranges can help set appropriate expectations and inform major career decisions. It’s worth examining national averages, entry-level salaries, location-specific differences, and other nuances that impact pay. This overview covers key data points and trends to evaluate potential earnings for interior designers.
National Average Salary
According to 2021 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), interior designers earned an average of $58,950 per year nationwide. The lowest 10% of earners made $36,610 or less, while the highest 10% made $79,770 or more. On an hourly basis, interior designers earned between $17.60 and $38.35. These national averages provide a helpful baseline for assessing salaries in this occupation. However, pay can vary significantly depending on an individual’s circumstances.
Entry-Level Salary
Entry-level interior designers just starting their careers generally make less than the national average. Data from Salary.com shows that an Interior Designer I in the United States earns between $40,914 and $56,587, with an average base salary of $51,607. This lower salary accounts for less work experience. However, it sets the foundation for progressing to higher earning levels over time.
Total Pay Estimates
Looking beyond base salary, Glassdoor data reveals that interior designers’ total yearly compensation ranges from $64,740 to $68,788. This estimate incorporates bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings. Therefore, the total potential earnings for interior designers exceeds the BLS-reported averages that focus solely on base pay.
Location-Specific Salaries
Salaries for interior designers can fluctuate substantially depending on geographic location. Data from Indeed shows that the average base pay for interior designers in Chicago, IL is $65,321 per year. This exceeds the national average. Location is a key factor to research for those exploring roles in specific cities or states. Urban and coastal areas with higher costs of living tend to offer higher interior design salaries.
Salary Disparities by State
ZipRecruiter data reveals wide variation in interior designer salaries across different states. Their 2021 findings showed annual pay ranging from $30,500 in South Dakota to $58,000 in Rhode Island. California, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington also showed high average salaries. However, pay in Midwest and South states trended lower.Geography is a driving force behind these state-based disparities. But specific employers, job responsibilities, and supply/demand trends also impact salaries.
Factors Affecting Salary
Several elements beyond location can influence an interior designer’s earning potential, including:
- Education and Certification: Interior designers with degrees, professional certifications, specialized skills or continuing education tend to command higher salaries.
- Years of Experience: More experienced interior designers earn more than entry-level professionals. Advancing to senior roles increases pay over time.
- Type of Employer: Salaries can vary based on whether interior designers work for design firms, retail stores, hotels, corporations, residential renovation companies or are self-employed.
Certification Impact
Indeed data shows that interior designers with certifications earn 21.71% more on average than their uncertified peers. Earning accreditation from respected organizations like the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) boosts credentials and pay potential. Continuing education also helps professionals stay current on trends and best practices to advance their careers.
Highest Paying Cities
Major metropolitan areas often offer the highest interior design salaries. For example:
- San Francisco, CA – Average base salary of $71,987. 17% above national average.
- New York, NY – Average base of $69,174. 14% above national average.
- Seattle, WA – Average base of $68,In areas like San Francisco and New York, the substantially higher cost of living is offset by higher pay. Companies must offer competitive salaries to attract top talent.
Job Responsibilities
An interior designer’s specific job duties and role within a firm impact earnings as well. Senior designers managing large projects and overseeing teams typically earn more. Specialized niche roles like healthcare or hospitality designers also command higher salaries in some cases. Interior designers in leadership, administrative or business development roles tend to earn more than entry-level design associates.
Educational Requirements
Most interior designers have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, though master’s degrees are increasingly preferred by employers. Common degrees include interior design, environmental design, architecture, or fine arts. 60+ colleges have accredited interior design programs. Graduating from one of these programs allows students to sit for the NCIDQ exam immediately rather than waiting 2-3 years.
Those without a bachelor’s degree in interior design often complete a 2-3 year interior design certificate program. However, this educational path typically leads to 10-20% lower starting salaries according to Payscale data. Maximizing earning potential often requires a 4-year degree and portfolio of design work.
Career Growth
Earning potential for interior designers increases over time as they gain experience and transition into more advanced roles. Typical progression includes:
- Interior Designer I – Entry-level, completes basic design tasks under supervision. Median salary $51,607.
- Interior Designer II – 3-5 years of experience. Works on projects independently. Median salary $61,ighter salaries.
- Principal/Senior Interior Designer – 10+ years of experience leading projects and managing teams. Average salary $77,840.
- Creative/Design Director – 15+ years, oversees design vision and quality for entire firm. Average salary $94,245.
Advancing from associate roles to management/leadership positions boosts an interior designer’s pay substantially over their career span. Gaining new skills and certifications can accelerate this advancement.
Industry Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for interior designers to grow 4% from 2020 to 2030, keeping pace with average job growth nationwide. Corporate offices, healthcare facilities, hospitality and restaurants are expected to drive demand. The industry’s positive outlook suggests interior designers will continue seeing healthy salaries and competitive compensation into the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
Evaluating earning potential for interior designers involves weighing many variables—from location and credentials to role type and employer. While entry-level salaries generally start around $50,000, pay can ultimately exceed $90,000 for experienced designers in leadership positions. Key factors like education, certifications and location significantly sway salaries. By understanding these nuances, those exploring interior design careers can set informed expectations and make strategic decisions to maximize their lifetime earnings. While creative fulfillment tends to be the primary motivation, interior design offers relatively stable compensation with opportunities for long-term growth.
FAQs
What is the average salary for an interior designer?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for interior designers is $58,950 per year nationwide. The lowest 10% earn less than $36,610, while the highest 10% earn more than $79,770.
How much do entry-level interior designers make?
Entry-level interior designers with 0-2 years of experience generally have average base salaries between $40,000 and $55,000. With bonuses and profit sharing, total compensation can reach $65,000.
Which cities pay interior designers the highest salaries?
Major metropolitan areas like New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago tend to offer the highest interior design salaries. Average pay in these cities can exceed national averages by 10-20%.
What factors increase an interior designer’s earning potential?
Experience level, education, certifications, specialty skills, leadership roles, and geographic location are key factors that can increase an interior designer’s pay.
How much more do certified interior designers make?
On average, interior designers with certifications from organizations like NCIDQ earn 21.71% more than uncertified designers.
Can interior designers earn over $100k per year?
Yes, experienced interior designers in senior leadership roles or working for top firms in major cities can earn six-figure salaries exceeding $100,000 per year at the peak of their careers. However, this salary range is reserved for the most seasoned professionals.
How competitive is the job market for interior designers?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects average 4% job growth for interior designers through 2030, keeping pace with the national average. The industry outlook is positive, though some geographic regions have more opportunities than others.
Is an interior design degree required?
In most cases, interior designers are required to have minimum 4-year bachelor’s degree in interior design or a related field like architecture or environmental design. Having a degree from an accredited program is preferred.
What is the career path for an interior designer?
Progression often includes junior designer, mid-level/senior designer, design director, and principal/VP roles. Salaries increase steadily with each advancement up to over $150,000 per year for executive leadership positions.
