Interior Designer salary in Illinois
Interior Designers in Illinois earn a median of $76,290 a year ($36.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,990 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $67,190. Illinois ranks 7th of 49 states for interior designers pay. There are 0.42 interior designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interior designers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| 25th percentile | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Median | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| 75th percentile | $93,090 | $44.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,990 | $63.46 |
| Average (mean) | $85,520 | $41.11 |
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 | $6,357.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,178.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,934.23 |
| Weekly | $1,467.12 |
| Hourly | $36.68 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $76,570 | 2,250 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $64,440 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,570 | 470 |
| Bloomington, IL | $60,420 | 30 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
| Floral Designer | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Designers, All Other | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Craft Artist | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $53,850 | $25.89 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for interior designers in Illinois is $76,290 a year, or $36.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interior designers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of interior designers in Illinois earn at least $131,990 a year. The top 25% earn $93,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for interior designers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,620 a year, and a quarter of interior designers earn $59,870 or less.
How many interior designers work in Illinois?
About 2,570 interior designers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.