As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Expert/Principal Interior Designer in the United States is $93,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.
However, an Expert/Principal Interior Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $99,900 | $8,325 | $1,921 | $48 |
| Average | $93,700 | $7,808 | $1,802 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,800 | $7,650 | $1,765 | $44 |
An Expert/Principal 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 Expert/Principal 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 | $53,824 |
| Intermediate Interior Designer | 2-4 years | $60,827 |
| Senior Interior Designer | 4-7 years | $70,057 |
| Specialist Interior Designer | 7+ years | $80,818 |
| Expert/Principal Interior Designer | 7-10 years | $93,621 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Presentation | 5.23% |
| Business Model | 2.53% |
| PowerPoint | 1.57% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Expert/Principal Interior Designer's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Business Model | $114,314 | |
| Commitment | $104,944 | |
| Schematic | $104,007 |
Expert/Principal Interior Designer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $101,133. While startup companies pay approximate $85,518.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $85,518 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $90,454 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $97,649 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $101,133 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Expert/Principal 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 Expert/Principal Interior Designer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $86,106 and $95,818).
| Typical Education for Expert/Principal Interior Designer | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 3.5% |
| High School | 3.5% |
| Associates | 4.4% |
| Bachelors | 77.0% |
| Masters | 14.2% |
| Doctorate | 0.9% |
Understanding how an Expert/Principal 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $99,900 | $8,325 | $1,921 | $48 |
| Average | $93,700 | $7,808 | $1,802 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,800 | $7,650 | $1,765 | $44 |
Salaries for an Expert/Principal Interior Designer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $127,469 in 2023 to around $122,053 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Expert/Principal Interior Designer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $127,469 |
| 2024 | $124,213 |
| 2025 | $122,053 |
| 2026 |
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| 2027 |
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The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Expert/Principal Interior Designer roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.
Profit Margin: This is the percentage of the total project cost that represents your profit. For interior designers, a good profit margin to aim for is around 40%. Considering the salary data for Expert/Principal Interior Designers, with a minimum salary of $76,100, a mid-salary of $94,400, and a maximum salary of $110,800, this margin can significantly impact overall earnings.
A Principal Interior Designer plays a crucial role in enhancing design processes and ensuring brand consistency. They focus on improving user experience and elevating the performance of the design team. Salaries for this position typically range from $76,100 to $110,800, with a midpoint of $94,400, reflecting their expertise and impact on product development.
The richest interior designers include Michael Chow, Kelly Wearstler, and Peter Marino, known for their luxurious designs. While salaries for Expert/Principal Interior Designers range from $76,100 to $110,800, these top designers likely earn significantly more, reflecting their high-profile projects and brand influence in the industry.
Interior Designers in America earn an average salary of $94,400 per year. The top 10 percent of Expert/Principal Interior Designers make over $110,800 annually, while the bottom 10 percent earn around $76,100. This reflects the significant earning potential in the field, especially for those at the higher end of the experience spectrum.
Interior designers can earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $76,100, a mid-range of $94,400, and a maximum of $110,800. Some of the highest-paying countries for this profession include the USA, Spain, Japan, England, Turkey, and China, where opportunities for lucrative positions are abundant.
The highest position in interior design is that of a Principal Designer or Owner. This role involves leading the firm, setting creative direction, and making key executive decisions. Principal Designers cultivate client relationships, manage the firm's portfolio, and drive overall success, with salaries ranging from $76,100 to $110,800, depending on experience and expertise.
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