Interior Designers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Interior Designers fall under the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media category in the U.S. occupational classification. Interior Designers earn a median salary of $63,490 per year, ranking in the top 41% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do interior designers earn?

The median annual wage for interior designers is $63,490. That puts interior designers at #335 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is interior designers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for interior designers is +3.2%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 87K positions in 2024 to 89K in 2034, a net change of 2K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do interior designers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working interior designers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Render design ideas in form of paste-ups or drawings.
2. 2.Select or design, and purchase furnishings, art work, and accessories.
3. 3.Research health and safety code requirements to inform design.
4. 4.Advise client on interior design factors, such as space planning, layout and use of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination.
5. 5.Research and explore the use of new materials, technologies, and products to incorporate into designs.
6. 6.Design plans to be safe and to be compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
7. 7.Coordinate with other professionals, such as contractors, architects, engineers, and plumbers, to ensure job success.
8. 8.Inspect construction work on site to ensure its adherence to the design plans.

Top skills for interior designers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become interior designer?

The standard path into interior designers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Art Directors
  $111,040 median
• Special Effects Artists and Animators
  $99,800 median
• Technical Writers
  $91,670 median
• Producers and Directors
  $83,480 median
• Fashion Designers
  $80,690 median
• Commercial and Industrial Designers
  $79,450 median

Common questions parents ask about interior designers