Interior Designer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Interior Designers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $79,590 a year ($38.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,840 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,630 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $67,190. Pay here is 19% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $98,450. There are 0.59 interior designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interior designers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,520 | $22.37 |
| 25th percentile | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Median | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| 75th percentile | $98,710 | $47.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,630 | $63.28 |
| Average (mean) | $84,650 | $40.70 |
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 | $6,632.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,316.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,061.15 |
| Weekly | $1,530.58 |
| Hourly | $38.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Salisbury, MD | $67,580 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $64,800 | 1,170 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $63,080 | 710 |
| Roanoke, VA | $61,730 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,920 | 240 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $59,290 | 50 |
| Richmond, VA | $58,790 | 400 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,320 | $21.79 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $125,050 | $60.12 |
| Art Director | $105,990 | $50.96 |
| Floral Designer | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $82,960 | $39.88 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $92,760 | $44.60 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $85,660 | $41.18 |
| Fashion Designer | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $56,560 | $27.19 |
| Craft Artist | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Designers, All Other | $60,910 | $29.28 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| Editor | $84,800 | $40.77 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for interior designers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $79,590 a year, or $38.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interior designers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of interior designers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $131,630 a year. The top 25% earn $98,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for interior designers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,520 a year, and a quarter of interior designers earn $62,560 or less.
How many interior designers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 1,840 interior designers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.