Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salary in the United States

How much does an Expert/Principal Interior Designer make in the United States?

As of July 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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $105,736
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $91,800 to $100,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,070
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View as table View as graph 25% $91,800 10% $90,070 90% $105,736 75% $100,000 $93,700 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $100,000 $8,333 $1,923 $48
Average $93,700 $7,808 $1,802 $45
25th Percentile $91,800 $7,650 $1,765 $44
Check out Expert/Principal Interior Designer Job Openings in the United States
Interior Designer and Furniture Sales Associate

Pine Tree Barn - Wooster, OH

Senior Interior Designer

Crimson Design Group - Columbus, OH

Sr Interior Designer

KZF Design Inc - Cincinnati, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salaries?

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:

  • Entry Interior Designer (0-2 years): $53,829
  • Intermediate Interior Designer (2-4 years): $60,839
  • Senior Interior Designer (4-7 years): $70,070
  • Specialist Interior Designer (7+ years): $80,846
  • Expert/Principal Interior Designer (7-10 years): $93,656
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Interior Designer0-2 years$53,829
Intermediate Interior Designer2-4 years$60,839
Senior Interior Designer4-7 years$70,070
Specialist Interior Designer7+ years$80,846
Expert/Principal Interior Designer7-10 years$93,656
$53,829 Entry Int...
$60,839 Intermedi...
$70,070 Senior In...
$80,846 Specialis...
$93,656 Expert/Pr...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Expert/Principal Interior Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $103,700.
  • California: $103,400.
  • Massachusetts: $102,000.

Top Paying Cities for Expert/Principal Interior Designers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $118,200
  • San Francisco: $116,900
  • Oakland: $114,400

What Skills Can Increase an Expert/Principal Interior Designer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 5.23% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Business Model (Mentioned in 2.53% Job Postings): The term business model refers to a company's plan for making a profit. It identifies the products or services the business plans to sell, its identified target market, and any anticipated expenses.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.57% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 5.23%
Business Model 2.53%
PowerPoint 1.57%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
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.
  • Business Model: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Schematic: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Business Model
$114,314
22%
Commitment
$104,944
12%
Schematic
$104,007
11%
InDesign
$103,070
10%
Leadership
$103,070
10%
Communicates Effectively
$103,070
10%
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Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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 $101,273. While startup companies pay approximate $85,598.

Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$85,598
Growth Stage51~500$90,546
Established501~5000$97,788
Enterprise5000+$101,273

Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Expert/Principal 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, Expert/Principal Interior Designer positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Expert/Principal Interior Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Expert/Principal Interior Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$103,070$50.010%

How Education impacts an Expert/Principal Interior Designer's Salary?

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).

Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salaries by Degree Level

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%
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Expert/Principal Interior Designer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Expert/Principal Interior Designer

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, .

Average Annual Salary of Expert/Principal Interior Designer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$127,469
2024
$124,213
2025
$122,053
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $127,469
2024 $124,213
2025 $122,053
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Expert/Principal Interior Designer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Expert/Principal Interior Designer

Here are companies hiring for Expert/Principal Interior Designer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Expert/Principal Interior Designer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Expert/Principal Interior Designer?

The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Expert/Principal Interior Designer roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. What are the profit margins for interior designers?

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.

3. What is a principal brand designer?

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.

4. Who is the richest interior designer?

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.

5. What do the top 10 percent of interior designers make?

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.

6. Where do interior designers make the best money?

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.

7. What is the highest position in interior design?

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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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