Interior Designer: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Interior Designers earn a national median of $63,490/yr with 3.2% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Design, Customer and Personal Service, Building and Construction.

Median Salary

$63,490

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

3.2%

About as fast as average

Employed Nationally

69,580

2024 data

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Interior Designer

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Interior Designer candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Reading Comprehension 2 Active Listening 3 Speaking 4 Critical Thinking 5 Social Perceptiveness 6 Coordination 7 Service Orientation 8 Writing 9 Complex Problem Solving 10 Persuasion

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Interior Designer performance, based on verified occupational data.

Design Customer and Personal Service Building and Construction English Language Sales and Marketing

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Interior Designer roles.

Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Revit Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Trimble SketchUp Pro Adobe Acrobat

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 3.2% for Interior Designer roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
69,580
Projected Growth
3.2%
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Interior Designer do?
Interior Designers apply expertise in Design, Customer and Personal Service, Building and Construction to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking.
How much does a Interior Designer make?
The national median salary for a Interior Designer is $63,490 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Interior Designer a good career in 2026?
Employment for Interior Designer roles is projected to grow 3.2% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 69,580 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Interior Designer?
The typical entry-level education for a Interior Designer is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Interior Designers need?
The most important skills for Interior Designer roles based on verified occupational data: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Persuasion. Key tools and technologies include: Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk AutoCAD.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.