Interior Designer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Interior Designers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $59,920 a year ($28.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,920 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $67,190. Pay here is 4% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $62,560. There are 0.31 interior designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $67,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interior designers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| 25th percentile | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Median | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| 75th percentile | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Average (mean) | $67,170 | $32.29 |
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 | $4,993.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,496.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,304.62 |
| Weekly | $1,152.31 |
| Hourly | $28.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $79,590 | 1,840 |
| Burlington, NC | $77,590 | 30 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $64,480 | 470 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $64,370 | 1,000 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,830 | 80 |
| Roanoke, VA | $61,730 | 60 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $61,670 | 160 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $61,300 | 170 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $60,250 | 60 |
| Asheville, NC | $60,160 | n/a |
| Charlottesville, VA | $59,290 | 50 |
| Richmond, VA | $58,790 | 400 |
| Greenville, NC | $56,990 | 30 |
| Wilmington, NC | $47,750 | 140 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Floral Designer | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Art Director | $93,270 | $44.84 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,890 | $35.52 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,810 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Technical Writer | $79,340 | $38.14 |
| Editor | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Photographer | $42,210 | $20.29 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for interior designers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $59,920 a year, or $28.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interior designers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of interior designers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $98,920 a year. The top 25% earn $77,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for interior designers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,730 a year, and a quarter of interior designers earn $47,440 or less.
How many interior designers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 240 interior designers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.