Interior Designer salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Interior Designers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $76,570 a year ($36.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,990 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $67,190. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $76,290. There are 0.50 interior designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interior designers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| 25th percentile | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Median | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| 75th percentile | $94,810 | $45.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,990 | $63.46 |
| Average (mean) | $88,220 | $42.41 |
Half of interior designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,380.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,190.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,945 |
| Weekly | $1,472.50 |
| Hourly | $36.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Interior Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $66,150 | 500 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $64,440 | 30 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $63,090 | 40 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $61,720 | 460 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,570 | 470 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $61,110 | 80 |
| Bloomington, IL | $60,420 | 30 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $60,020 | 210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $52,410 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for interior designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $98,450 |
| Wyoming | $96,100 |
| California | $80,230 |
| Massachusetts | $80,110 |
| Colorado | $78,390 |
| Washington | $76,570 |
| Illinois | $76,290 |
| New York | $75,580 |
| New Jersey | $74,020 |
| Minnesota | $73,270 |
See Interior Designer pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Floral Designer | $36,200 | $17.40 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $112,950 | $54.30 |
| Craft Artist | $49,200 | $23.66 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Writers and Authors | $75,940 | $36.51 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1025. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a interior designer make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for interior designers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $76,570 a year, or $36.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interior designers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of interior designers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $131,990 a year. The top 25% earn $94,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for interior designers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,800 a year, and a quarter of interior designers earn $61,240 or less.
How many interior designers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,250 interior designers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.