Interior Designers and Decorators

Interior designers earned median annual salaries of $62,510 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The highest paid 10 percent earned more than $101,860, while the lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $37,730 annually. The DOL reports the following mean salaries for interior designers by specialty: architectural and engineering services, $73,990; specialized design services, $62,710; furniture and home furnishings retailers, $57,960; residential building construction, $59,230; and building material and supplies dealers, $52,400. In general, interior designers and decorators working in large urban areas make significantly more than those working in smaller cities. 

Designers and decorators at interior design firms can earn a straight salary, a salary plus a bonus or commission, or a straight commission. Such firms sometimes pay their employees a percentage of the profits as well. Self-employed professionals may charge an hourly fee, a flat fee, or a combination of the two depending on the project. Some designers and decorators charge a percentage on the cost of materials bought for each project.

The benefits enjoyed by interior designers and decorators, like salaries and bonuses, depend on the particular employer. Benefits may include paid vacations, health and life insurance, paid sick or personal days, employee-sponsored retirement plans, and an employer-sponsored 401(k) program.