Interior Design Jobs: Everything You Need to Know About Industry Roles and Their Salaries

How much can designers really expect to be paid? Here’s your guide to the different interior design jobs in the industry and current compensation rates for each positionWhile interior design jobs’ salaries may vary based on a person’s degree, credentials, or geographic location, professional organizations like the IIDA provide useful ballparks.Getty ImagesTo outsiders, interior design may seem like a continuous loop of selecting fabric swatches, flying between High Point and Salone del Mobile, and cultivating relationships over long lunches. But behind the polished aesthetic, there’s a persistent real-world question: Once you’ve finalized the perfect shade of eggshell, what is your actual take-home pay? We’ve crunched the numbers to find out. In this analysis, AD PRO pulls from current industry compensation reports and major employment databases to break down what you can really expect to earn across the most common interior design jobs.Because compensation data is notoriously fragmented, there is no single definitive source for interior design salaries. Different organizations capture different slices of the industry using different methodologies, meaning figures can vary significantly. For instance, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $63,490 for interior designers as of May 2024, with a projected 3% employment growth through 2034. By contrast, the 2024 ASID Compensation and Benefits Report (using 2023 data) places the median higher, at $75,000. According to ZipRecruiter, the highest-paying interior design jobs in 2024 can be up to $133,500 per year, while Indeed reported in 2023 that US interior designers earned an average of $59,107 per year, with a range of salaries from $15,000 to $132,000 annually.Karen Singh, New York School of Interior Design’s Career Services and Internship Coordinator, says students who have completed the school’s MFA program tend to land jobs with higher salaries than those without the advanced degree, somewhere in the mid-$60,000 range. The ASID reports the median annual salary range for full-time interior design employees to be between $75,000 and $99,999 a year, part-time interior design employees somewhere from $50,000 to $75,000 a year, and those with 2–4 years of work experience are expected to earn anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 a year.Singh also notes that students who enter the field as a second career “tend to be more targeted in the sector they want to work in and gear their education internships and portfolio accordingly,” which can often lead to higher-paying jobs. Among the subspecialties in the field, Singh says that the higher-paid positions are in sales, corporate and healthcare design, and positions with furniture conglomerates.A number of other factors that affect pay at different levels are: an individual’s skills, experience, past successes, the scope of work, and geographic region. Five states—California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Illinois—command the highest salaries. Benefits, bonuses, and non-compensation benefits such as remote work also add to the value of the job.Tamir Shuster, a partner at Precise, a financial management firm specializing in creative industries, said when his firm looks at salaries for their clients they look not just at job titles but at years of experience. “There are companies where an employee who has the title of ‘project manager’ would be called a ‘director’ or ‘junior designer’ at another firm,” he says. “So titles can be misleading.” Using an individual’s years of experience, merit, and what types of projects they have worked on and for how long is a better yardstick for determining what their salary range might be, he said.Rather than relying on one benchmark, this analysis synthesizes these varied reports alongside professional expertise to provide a more comprehensive view of the salary landscape.ExecutiveJob Titles: CEO, Founder, Owner/Co-Owner, Partner, Principal, Studio PrincipalAverage Salary: $226,000 (Glassdoor), $112,687 (Ziprecruiter), $93,000 (Salary.com)Median Salary: $115,000 (IIDA)The top person at a design firm establishes and communicates the design vision for the company. This may include overseeing projects from the planning through design phases; construction and installation; managing all financials such as budgeting, invoicing, purchasing, and proposals; generating new business; interfacing with clients; and recruiting and hiring and firing of employees. This leadership position requires at least a bachelor’s degree, with an advanced degree often preferred. Salaries at this level can be higher depending on bonuses, profit sharing, and ownership distribution. Professional experience also dictates base salary, as those with more than 30 years of interior design experience have the highest median salary, often more than double that of those with less than three years of experience.Those with degrees in architecture reported a higher salary than those with degrees in interior design. CEO, founder, and owner salaries in particular are influenced by these factors, making it the most difficult to get a truly accurate representation of average salary—this ranges from $50,000 to upwards of $350,000 for someone who has founded a new company. The ASID report estimates the range to be between $75,000 and $150,000 for those with the title of executive, partner, principle and owner. According to the IIDA report, the widest range of salaries is seen among those with executive-level titles, with the 25th percentile at $80,000 and 75th percentile at $150,000. These statistics didn’t budge from the previous IIDA survey in 2019—not even industry shifts due to the pandemic affected the numbers here.Interior Design DirectorJob Titles: Creative Director, Design Director, Junior Principal, Junior Partner, Managing Director, Senior Associate, Studio DirectorAverage Salary: $112,687 (ZipRecruiter), $190,000 (Glassdoor)Interior designers with director titles are responsible for directing design duties within the company, as well as managing design staff, completing high-level creative duties, and making critical decisions regarding projects. Their advanced degrees and years of experience play a key role. Directors typically have a more complex understanding of the design-build and construction processes. They are often responsible for budgeting, furniture selection and installation, and for maintaining business and client relationships. With a bachelor’s degree in interior design or a related field required—along with previous experience—a director will work with senior management to establish and perpetuate the design vision within an organization. The base salary for someone with this title ranges from $56,500 at the very low end to $168,500, according to ZipRecruiter in 2026.The majority of interior design director salaries currently range between $86,500 (25th percentile) and $133,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $157,500 annually across the United States. Glassdoor puts the 2025 range between $143,000 and $261,000 total pay. The higher end salaries include base pay and additional pay in the form of bonuses and profit sharing. Top earners (those in the 90th percentile and with the most years of experience) have reported making up to $341,918. The ASID report estimates this range to be between $70,000 and $100,000 for those with the titles of director and senior designer. These stats are higher than the IIDA’s report in 2021, which found directors’ salaries in the 25th percentile to be $80,000 and $123,200 in the 75th percentile, with the median at $105,000. The IIDA also reported that design professionals who manage 30 people or more earn more than twice as much as those who manage none.Senior Interior DesignerJob Titles: Senior Designer, Associate, Senior Interior Designer, Senior Interior Architect, Senior Architect, Senior Project Designer, Studio ManagerAverage Salary: $90,665 (ZipRecruiter), $70,706 (Salary.com)Senior-level designers and architects are responsible for all project deliverables, maintaining the project schedule, and meeting intended design goals. They are tasked with managing all technical aspects of a project, collaborating with the project managers and design team members on design presentations, as well as project concept creation, development, and execution. They should be adept at space planning, furniture selection, fixtures and equipment (FF&E), and budgeting. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are required to manage internal team members and liaise with the external design team and other organizations and vendors as needed. Besides a bachelor’s degree in architecture or design, senior-level design professionals should have solid experience with graphic presentations, 3D renderings, construction drawings, and proficiency in softwares such as AutoCAD, 2D/3D software, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Senior interior designers should also continue their professional development to stay abreast of the latest design trends.As of April 2026 most US senior interior designers reportedly earn salaries between $72,500 (25th percentile) and $123,000 annually (90th percentile). Although ZipRecruiter reported the highest-paid senior interior designers with a salary of $132,500 and the lowest at $52,500 annually, these are outliers. However, since the average pay range for this design role does vary greatly (by as much as $32,500), that indicates that there’s room for advancement and increased pay as skill level and years of experience increase. Those with a senior architect title tend to earn more, starting at $91,000 and up to $180,000 at the high end according to ZipRecruiter.Project ManagerJob Titles: Project Manager, Planner, StrategistAverage Salary: $97,123 (ZipRecruiter), $87,982 (Glassdoor)The scope of a project manager’s (PM) role includes responsibility for all aspects of planning, budgeting, and execution for interior design projects. PMs must create a detailed project plan, including technical models and estimates for time and materials, and collaborate with design team members to execute the project on time and within budget. Impeccable interpersonal skills are required so that the PMs can negotiate with construction crews, interface with clients, and work within the design team. Excellent time-management skills, leadership abilities, and attention to detail position a PM for success. This role typically requires a bachelor’s degree in interior design, architecture, or a related field, and at least five years of experience—although a master’s degree, relevant certification, and 10 years of experience are preferred, along with proficiency in software for design, graphics, and project planning.The majority of project manager interior design salaries currently range between $69,500 (25th percentile) and $118,000 (75th percentile). In July 2026 ZipRecruiter reported a range between $68,000 and $118,000, with top earners (90th percentile) making $142,000 annually across the United States. The IIDA’s 2021 report indicated that project managers earned between $72,500 (25th percentile) and $105,500 (75th percentile.) Additional compensation for this role may include cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing.Architect / Interior DesignerJob Titles: Interior Designer, Architect, Project Designer, Interior ArchitectAverage Salary: Architects: $103,262 (Salary); Designers: $52,214 (Salary), $72,849 (ZipRecruiter) $70,357 (Indeed)Architects and designers work on a project from start to finish, monitoring progress, collaborating with a team, consulting with clients, and meeting project deadlines on schedule and within budget. The minimum education requirement for a designer or architect is a bachelor’s degree, while additional schooling may be preferred or required. Previous experience in a related role; proficiency in AutoCAD and other relevant software, graphic design, and architectural drawings; and strong interpersonal skills are expected.The salary for an architect/interior designer, like other jobs in the field, depends on training, location, and title. Licensure is the clear divider: salaries for architects and interior architects are above those for interior designers and project designers. IIDA also found that those with a degree in architecture reported a median salary of $94,600, while those with interior design degrees earned a median of $67,500. The average salary for architects in 2026 was above six figures according to Indeed and Salary.com. ZipRecruiter found that Interior Architects earned a median salary of $128,756. According to Salary.com’s 2025 data, residential interior designers earned an average of $54,098 per year, while the ASID reports the range to be between $50,000 and $80,000. Indeed found the average interior designer salary in 2024 was $70,357.IIDA’s survey found the median salary of an interior designer was $59,500, with practitioners who earned at least one professional credential—such as NCISQ, LEED, or CID certification—reporting salaries as much as $17,000 higher than designers without such accreditations. ZipRecruiter, however, reported the average salary of interior designers nationwide as $72,849. Those in the 25th percentile made $58,000 and $83,000 in the 75th percentile. What all this means is that with such a huge salary range, interior designers have the potential to earn more depending on additional education, certification, geographic location, as well as size and scope of the design firm.Junior DesignerJob Titles: Junior Designer, Intern, Intern Interior Designer, Interior Design Assistant, Designer, Intern Architect, Architectural Assistant, Architectural Designer, Junior ArchitectAverage Salary: $56,698 (ZipRecruiter), $53,800 (Salary.com)A junior interior designer or architect collaborates with senior design team members on project goals, assisting with design concepts and interacting with the clients. Professionals at this level will place orders for fundamental elements of the space such as furniture and other aesthetic specifications; maintain documentation regarding budget, client purchases, and marketing efforts; and ensure best practices for the project. This is a highly collaborative team-player role that requires exceptional attention to detail and interpersonal skills; a bachelor’s degree in interior design, architecture, or a related field; and proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD are expected. Depending on the size of the firm, previous experience may be preferred, or this may be an entry-level position at certain firms.The salary for a junior interior designer position is firmly in the $50,000 range. Similarly, Salary.com found the range of this position between $41,957 and $62,876 in 2026, and the range according to ZipRecruiter is $51,500 to $81,500, with the bulk of jobs being in the low-to-mid-$50,000 range. The ASID report estimates this range to be $45,000 to $55,000, with assistants starting at $40,000 and entry-level employees and interns starting at $30,000. IIDA reported the median salary at $51,600 in 2021 with little range between the 25th percentile at $47,000 and the 75th percentile at $56,300.Interior DecoratorAverage Salary: $69,250 (ZipRecruiter), $57,914 (Salary.com)An interior decorator works with clients to define an aesthetic for an already completed space. For example to select paint color, furniture, fixtures, and lighting. Interior decorator also assists in space planning and layout and may collaborate with contractors and vendors in the selection of these products. Constant and clear communication between the client and decorator is of utmost importance; therefore, keen communication and interpersonal and organizational skills are required, as is attention to detail. While a bachelor’s degree is preferred, it’s not required; proficiency in AutoCAD and Adobe Photoshop may be necessary.The salary fluctuates widely for a design professional in this role depending on experience, education, and location. As reported by ZipRecruiter, salaries for interior decorators in 2026 range between $29,000 to $144,000, with the average around $69,250. The majority of these jobs are in the $34,000 to $87,000 pay range. But Salary.com found the 2026 salary range for decorators to be tighter, from $53,263 to $64,555. The earning potential for an interior decorator can be high through repeat customers and word of mouth. Salaries also depend on whether a decorator is self-employed or works for a company.Technical DesignerJob Titles: Technical Designer, CAD DrafterMedian Salary: $62,000 (ZipRecruiter)In this highly specialized role, a CAD drafter or technical designer must exhibit expert use of AutoCAD software to create high-quality design drawings for building construction and project creation while including building codes and specifications for design. Precision and extreme attention to detail are crucial, as are creativity, organizational skills, and the ability to work quickly and efficiently to meet deadlines under pressure. Fine interpersonal, communication, and listening skills are necessary to take direction from engineers and executives during the research and sketching process.The starting salary for this role is $48,000 with the top range around $85,000, according to ZipRecruiter. The pay for CAD drafters is slightly lower with a starting salary at $45,500 and the top range around $79,500. However, the IIDA survey reports a much lower salary range of $45,800 to $74,100, with $55,400 as the median. As always, education, experience, and skill inform earning potential. Besides expertise in the necessary software, CAD drafters/technical designers should have at least an associate’s degree or some vocational training, though a bachelor’s degree in information technology or a related field would likely be more attractive to hiring firms. To obtain some technical designer positions or in order to advance a career in this field, a master’s degree is sometimes required.How to Spend Your Marketing Budget Now: The marketing landscape has changed. Here’s your roadmap to smarter spending, better client acquisition, and growth in 2027So your clients want to live forever? Read AD PRO's Trend Report on The Longevity Home for everything you need to know about building for longer, healthier lives.Are you subscribed to AD PRO's The Source? Sign up for our twice-weekly newsletter for the latest scoops and insider news straight from the editors at AD.In the 2026 Outdoor Design Forecast, AD PRO dives into the newest amenities, layouts, materials, and products for customized indoor-outdoor livingRead More30 Ways to Get the Word Out About Your FirmMarketing your business right, according to design industry prosInterior Designers, Which Billing Strategy Is Best for Your Firm?Everything you need to know about flat fees, hourly rates, cost-plus, and hybrid charging strategies to decide which billing model works best for your firmHow to Spend Your Marketing Budget NowThe marketing landscape has changed. Here’s your roadmap to smarter spending, better client acquisition, and growth in 2027This July, AD PRO is gathering industry thought-leaders to discuss the best business practices propelling firms todayThe Art of Operations: To Build From Within or Strategically Delegate?In this virtual roundtable, architect Bryan Young and interior designers Corey Damen Jenkins and Cheryl Eisen will share their lessons learned as they’ve scaled their teams and management systemsHow to Ace Your Next Client PresentationTop designers share tips on setting up your room (or your Zoom), the best visual aids, and other strategies for getting your clients’ stamp of approvalChainmail Curtains Are Holding SwayDesigners are using the rippling metallic drapery to divide spaces, diffuse light, and conjure a bit of mystery6 Emerging Furniture Trends We Spotted at High Point MarketAmong the themes we saw on repeat: Menswear patterns, draped shapes, indoor-ish outdoor furniture, oversized everything and moreHow to Convert Your Instagram Following Into Actual ClientsExperts share the moves that turn double-taps into signed contractsRelationship Goals: Jake Arnold on How to Craft a Top-Tier Client ExperienceThe AD100 interior designer shares how he gains client trust and fuels a fulfilling collaborative relationshipElectric Kelly Green—A Shade Befitting Our Digital Age—Is Having a MomentDesigners explain how to use this zippy hue that’s cropping up on AD covers and beyondSo Your Clients Want a Resort-Style Backyard?A simple patio, grill, and outdoor table aren’t cutting it anymore. Experts share their advice for creating amenity-maxxed outdoor spaces with permanent vacation vibes