As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Interior Designer in the United States is $53,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.
However, an Entry Interior Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Entry Interior Designer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Interior Designer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Interior Designer | 0-2 years | $53,843 |
| Intermediate Interior Designer | 2-4 years | $60,872 |
| Senior Interior Designer | 4-7 years | $70,108 |
| Specialist Interior Designer | 7+ years | $80,931 |
| Expert/Principal Interior Designer | 7-10 years | $93,759 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Interior Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Presentation | 5.76% |
| Space Planning | 2.04% |
| Business Model | 1.37% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Communication Skills
|
$59,829 |
11%
|
|
Architectural Design
|
$57,134 |
6%
|
|
Consulting
|
$56,595 |
5%
|
|
Problem Solving
|
$56,056 |
4%
|
|
Solution Design
|
$55,517 |
3%
|
|
Coordination
|
$55,517 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Interior Designers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Interior Designer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $47,519 and $52,922).
Entry Interior Designer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 4.2% |
| Associates | 11.8% |
| Bachelors | 75.6% |
| Masters | 8.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.1% |
Understanding how an Entry Interior Designer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026For an Entry Interior Designer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Interior Designer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $60,900 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.
Salaries for an Entry Interior Designer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,204 in 2023 to around $53,466 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Interior Designer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $54,204 |
| 2024 | $54,038 |
| 2025 | $53,466 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Interior designers in the USA can earn a competitive salary. Entry-level positions typically start with a minimum salary of $42,000, with a mid-range salary of $53,000 and a maximum of $58,100. With 3-5 years of experience, salaries can rise significantly, reaching around $74,655, and the top 20% can earn over $121,347.
To become an interior designer with no experience, follow these steps: Learn about a designer's duties and required skills. Work for an expert or start as a contractor. Build your portfolio and network while staying updated on industry trends. Entry-level salaries range from $42,000 to $58,100, with a mid-salary of $53,000. Register your name with your state.
While states like Illinois, California, and Virginia offer high salaries for interior designers, entry-level positions typically see salaries ranging from $42,000 to $58,100. This means that even in high-paying states, entry-level designers may start at the lower end of the scale, with potential growth as they gain experience.
A junior interior designer in the USA typically earns between $42,000 and $58,100 annually. The average salary is around $53,000, translating to approximately $1,019 per week. This range reflects entry-level positions, with top earners potentially making more as they gain experience and expertise in the field.
As of now, the salary for an Entry Interior Designer in the United States ranges from $42,000 to $58,100 annually, with a median salary of $53,000. This translates to approximately $20.19 to $27.92 per hour, or about $3,500 to $4,841 per month.
While corporate interior designers can earn up to $80,000 annually, entry-level interior designers typically earn between $42,000 and $58,100, with a median salary of $53,000. Gaining experience and further education can lead to higher-paying opportunities in the field.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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