Interior Designer salary in Iowa
Interior Designers in Iowa earn a median of $58,040 a year ($27.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,770 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $67,190. Iowa ranks 47th of 49 states for interior designers pay. There are 0.33 interior designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $68,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interior designers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,510 | $18.99 |
| 25th percentile | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| Median | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| 75th percentile | $74,590 | $35.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,770 | $57.10 |
| Average (mean) | $68,360 | $32.86 |
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 | $4,836.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,418.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,232.31 |
| Weekly | $1,116.15 |
| Hourly | $27.90 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $67,120 | 270 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $59,470 | 40 |
| Iowa City, IA | $58,890 | 50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $57,840 | 190 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $52,410 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $50,300 | 50 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,420 | $33.85 |
| Floral Designer | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Art Director | $80,940 | $38.92 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $39,550 | $19.01 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,350 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| Editor | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Technical Writer | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,540 | $20.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for interior designers in Iowa is $58,040 a year, or $27.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interior designers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of interior designers in Iowa earn at least $118,770 a year. The top 25% earn $74,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for interior designers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,510 a year, and a quarter of interior designers earn $47,830 or less.
How many interior designers work in Iowa?
About 510 interior designers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.