Interior Designer salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Interior Designers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $64,550 a year ($31.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,120 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $67,190. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $62,740. There are 0.51 interior designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interior designers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| 25th percentile | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Median | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| 75th percentile | $80,860 | $38.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,120 | $49.09 |
| Average (mean) | $75,700 | $36.39 |
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 | $5,379.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,689.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,482.69 |
| Weekly | $1,241.35 |
| Hourly | $31.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $74,680 | 1,030 |
| Madison, WI | $64,780 | 220 |
| Green Bay, WI | $62,320 | 80 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $61,890 | 30 |
| Appleton, WI | $55,780 | 40 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $51,810 | 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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,070 | $19.27 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Art Director | $91,260 | $43.87 |
| Floral Designer | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,520 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Editor | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Technical Writer | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Photographer | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,020 | $25.01 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for interior designers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $64,550 a year, or $31.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interior designers make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of interior designers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $102,120 a year. The top 25% earn $80,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for interior designers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,310 a year, and a quarter of interior designers earn $50,960 or less.
How many interior designers work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 420 interior designers are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.