Interior Designer salary in California
Interior Designers in California earn a median of $80,230 a year ($38.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,770 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $67,190. California ranks 3rd of 49 states for interior designers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.47 interior designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interior designers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| 25th percentile | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| Median | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| 75th percentile | $102,940 | $49.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,770 | $63.35 |
| Average (mean) | $89,740 | $43.14 |
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 | $6,685.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,342.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,085.77 |
| Weekly | $1,542.88 |
| Hourly | $38.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Interior Designer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $87,460 | 1,810 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $85,140 | 340 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $80,640 | 820 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $80,000 | 3,880 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $78,960 | 110 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $78,000 | 50 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $77,970 | 110 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,690 | 300 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $76,780 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $76,770 | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $76,090 | 340 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $75,290 | 100 |
| Salinas, CA | $70,630 | 60 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $65,520 | 30 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $100,770 | $48.45 |
| Floral Designer | $47,040 | $22.61 |
| Designers, All Other | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $105,030 | $50.49 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Craft Artist | $100,540 | $48.34 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for interior designers in California is $80,230 a year, or $38.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interior designers make in California?
The top 10% of interior designers in California earn at least $131,770 a year. The top 25% earn $102,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for interior designers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,940 a year, and a quarter of interior designers earn $63,370 or less.
How many interior designers work in California?
About 8,500 interior designers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.