Salary guide · Interior design
Interior design salaries in 2026
Interior designers at US mid-market firms earn $62,000 to $80,000 base in their first three years, and up to $285,000 at the top as an interior design principal. Of the 280 open interior design jobs in our database, 111 list an annual pay range. BLS puts the national median at $67,190 for interior designers (May 2025).
Roles
6from interior designer to interior design principal
Postings with pay
111of 280 open interior design jobs
BLS national median
$67kInterior designers, SOC 27-1025, May 2025
The ladder
Pay by role
Base salary for each rung, with what live postings offer underneath. Open a role for its recent postings.
| Role | Chart | Recruiter band | Posted median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior designer0 to 3 yrs | $62k to $80k | $69k12 postings | |
| Interior project designer3 to 6 yrs | $80k to $108k | $80k24 postings | |
| Senior interior designer6 to 10 yrs | $108k to $145k | $103k57 postings | |
| Interior design director | $145k to $200k | Only 3 with pay | |
| Interior design studio lead or associate | $155k to $210k | Only 6 with pay | |
| Interior design principal | $190k to $285k | Only 1 with pay | |
$50k$100k$150k$200k$250k$300k | |||
- What moves it
- Workplace, hospitality, healthcare, senior living and interior architecture. NCIDQ certification is typically worth 3 to 7% at mid levels.
- Bonus
- Bonus typically adds 5 to 15% for senior roles and up to 25% at principal and partner level.
- Basis
- Base salary at US mid-market AEC firms (40 to 400 people), before bonus, equity and project incentive pay.
BLS benchmark
Interior design pay by city
What all employers pay, from the May 2025 federal wage survey. One median covers every level, so read it against the middle of the ladder.
- 10th percentile
- $41,420
- 25th percentile
- $51,840
- Median
- $67,190
- 75th percentile
- $85,740
- 90th percentile
- $114,140
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Annual wages, all employers, before bonus and overtime.
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| United States | $67,190 |
| San Francisco | $87k+30% vs US |
| Boston | $81k+21% vs US |
| Denver | $80k+19% vs US |
| Los Angeles | $80k+19% vs US |
| Washington, DC | $80k+18% vs US |
| Seattle | $79k+17% vs US |
| Austin | $78k+17% vs US |
| New York | $77k+14% vs US |
| Chicago | $77k+14% vs US |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | $75k+11% vs US |
| Atlanta | $72k+8% vs US |
| Nashville | $70k+4% vs US |
| Indianapolis | $66k−2% vs US |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $65k−3% vs US |
| Kansas City | $65k−3% vs US |
| Raleigh | $64k−4% vs US |
| Charlotte | $64k−4% vs US |
| Columbus | $62k−7% vs US |
| Tampa | $62k−8% vs US |
| Phoenix | $62k−8% vs US |
| Houston | $61k−9% vs US |
Other ladders
Salaries in other disciplines
Questions
Questions about this pay
How much do interior designers make in 2026?
Interior designers at US mid-market firms earn $62,000 to $80,000 base in their first three years, and up to $285,000 at the top as an interior design principal. Of the 280 open interior design jobs in our database, 111 list an annual pay range. BLS puts the national median at $67,190 for interior designers (May 2025).
Which cities pay interior designers the most?
Of the 21 metros on this page, BLS reports the highest median pay for interior designers in San Francisco ($87k), Boston ($81k) and Denver ($80k), and the lowest in Houston ($61k). The national median is $67,190.
Does NCIDQ certification raise pay?
Yes. NCIDQ certification is typically worth 3 to 7% at mid levels.
Do these figures include bonus?
No. Base salary at US mid-market AEC firms (40 to 400 people), before bonus, equity and project incentive pay. Bonus typically adds 5 to 15% for senior roles and up to 25% at principal and partner level.
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