Interior design is an exciting and rewarding career, with the potential to make a great living. But how much do interior designers actually make? Here, we’ll discuss the factors that go into determining an interior designer’s salary, as well as the average salary for interior designers.
Factors That Affect an Interior Designer’s Salary
The salary of an interior designer is affected by a number of factors, including experience, geographic location, and type of employer. Generally, the more experience an interior designer has, the higher their salary will be. Likewise, interior designers who work in larger cities or in higher-paying industries may earn more than those who work in smaller cities or in lower-paying industries.
There are also differences in salary based on the type of employer. For example, interior designers who work for retail stores or furniture companies may earn more than those who work for design firms or architectural firms. Additionally, those who work in residential design may earn differently than those who work in commercial design.
Average Salary for Interior Designers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for interior designers was $52,810 in May 2018. This means that half of all interior designers earned more than this amount, and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,800, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,400.
The highest-paying states for interior designers include California, New York, and Illinois. In these states, the median annual wage for interior designers was $63,980, $62,110, and $60,460, respectively. The highest-paying metropolitan areas for interior designers include San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, New York-Newark-Jersey City, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale.
Conclusion
The salary of an interior designer can vary greatly depending on experience, geographic location, and type of employer. Generally, the more experience an interior designer has, the higher their salary will be. On average, interior designers earn a median annual wage of $52,810. However, those who work in larger cities or in higher-paying industries may earn more than the average. Additionally, those who work in retail stores or furniture companies may earn more than those who work in design firms or architectural firms.