What Interior Designers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Interior Designers this way: "Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Estimate material requirements and costs, and present design to client for approval"; "Confer with client to determine factors affecting planning of interior environments, such as budget, architectural preferences, purpose, and function"; "Advise client on interior design factors, such as space planning, layout and use of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination"; "Select or design, and purchase furnishings, art work, and accessories"; "Formulate environmental plan to be practical, esthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity or selling merchandise".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Interior Designers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 97,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 99,700 in 2035, an increase of 2,600 jobs (+2.7%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 7,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 26.4% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $67,190, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Interior Designers earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $73,973 in New York to $74,246 in New Jersey, a gap of $273 (1.00 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $67,190 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 6,830, which is 52.2% of the 13,090 counted across them. New York follows with 6,260.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($74,246) and New York ($73,973) lead the ranking, while New York ($73,973) and New Jersey ($74,246) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Interior Designers
Fashion Designers, Graphic Designers and Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (27-1000) include Art Directors.
Frequently asked questions about Interior Designers
How much do Interior Designers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $67,190. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $73,973 to $74,246.
Which state pays Interior Designers the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $74,246. New York is next at $73,973.
Is Interior Designers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 7,700 openings a year.
What education do Interior Designers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.