How Much Does an Interior Designer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$67,190
Interior designers in the U.S. earn a median of $67,190 a year, or $32.31 an hour. Half of interior designers earn more than $67,190 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $114,140.
Pay percentiles for interior designers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19.91 | $41,420 |
| 25th | $24.92 | $51,840 |
| 50th (median) | $32.31 | $67,190 |
| 75th | $41.22 | $85,740 |
| 90th | $54.87 | $114,140 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Interior Designers (SOC 27-1025). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for interior designers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $98,450 | $47.33 | +47% |
| Wyoming | $96,100 | $46.20 | +43% |
| California | $80,230 | $38.57 | +19% |
| Massachusetts | $80,110 | $38.52 | +19% |
| Colorado | $78,390 | $37.69 | +17% |
| Washington | $76,570 | $36.81 | +14% |
| Illinois | $76,290 | $36.68 | +14% |
| New York | $75,580 | $36.34 | +12% |
| New Jersey | $74,020 | $35.59 | +10% |
| Minnesota | $73,270 | $35.23 | +9% |
| United States | $67,190 | $32.31 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many interior designers are there?
BLS counts about 71,500 interior designers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (8,500), Florida (7,410) and Texas (6,450).
The mean (average) annual wage is $74,540, higher than the median of $67,190.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,599
- Biweekly
- $2,584
- Weekly
- $1,292
- Daily (8 hours)
- $258
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do interior designers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for interior designers is $32.31. The middle 50% earn between $24.92 and $41.22 an hour.
Which state pays interior designers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for interior designers at $98,450, +47% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for interior designers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of interior designers earn less than $41,420 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.