As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Interior Designer in the United States is $53,902 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.
However, an Entry Level Interior Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Entry Level 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 Level 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 Level Interior Designer | 0-2 years | $53,827 |
| Intermediate Interior Designer | 2-4 years | $60,833 |
| Senior Interior Designer | 4-7 years | $70,063 |
| Specialist Interior Designer | 7+ years | $80,832 |
| Expert/Principal Interior Designer | 7-10 years | $93,639 |
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 Level 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
|
$59,831 |
11%
|
|
Architectural Design
|
$57,136 |
6%
|
|
Consulting
|
$56,597 |
5%
|
|
Problem Solving
|
$56,058 |
4%
|
|
Solution Design
|
$55,519 |
3%
|
|
Coordination
|
$55,519 |
3%
|
Entry Level Interior Designer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $58,281. While startup companies pay approximate $49,287.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $49,287 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $52,132 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $56,277 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $58,281 |
For Entry Level Interior Designer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Retail & Wholesale, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Entry Level Interior Designer positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Entry Level Interior Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail & Wholesale | $59,292 | $29.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level 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 Level Interior Designer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $47,521 and $52,924).
Entry Level 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 Level 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 August 01, 2026For an Entry Level 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 Level 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 Level Interior Designer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $54,204 |
| 2024 | $54,038 |
| 2025 | $53,466 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Level Interior Designer roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.
Entry-level interior designers typically earn between $42,002 and $58,102 annually, with a median salary of $53,002. While some experienced designers can reach six-figure salaries, entry-level positions generally do not. For example, in California, the average salary is around $69,319, which is higher than the entry-level range.
Interior designers can earn a competitive salary in the USA. For entry-level positions, salaries range from approximately $42,002 to $58,102, with a median salary around $53,002. This is in line with the average national salary for art and design professions, which is about $49,600 per year, indicating that interior design can be a lucrative career choice.
The lowest salary for an entry-level interior designer is approximately $42,002. The average salary is around $53,002, while the highest can reach up to $58,102. These figures reflect the current market for entry-level positions in the field.
An entry-level interior designer assists clients in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing indoor spaces. Typically part of a team, they may support architects or focus on residential projects. Responsibilities include understanding client preferences and collaborating on design concepts. Salaries for entry-level positions range from $42,002 to $58,102, with a median of $53,002.
Yes, interior design is in demand in the USA, with the market expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2033. Entry-level interior designers can expect salaries ranging from $42,002 to $58,102, with a median salary of $53,002. This reflects the increasing need for skilled professionals to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces.
While corporate interior designers can earn significant salaries, entry-level positions typically range from $42,002 to $58,102 annually. With experience and specialization, such as in corporate design, salaries can increase substantially, often exceeding $80,000. A solid educational background is essential for advancing in this field.
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