Interior Designer salary in North Carolina
Interior Designers in North Carolina earn a median of $61,400 a year ($29.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,450 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $67,190. North Carolina ranks 35th of 49 states for interior designers pay. There are 0.53 interior designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interior designers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| 25th percentile | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| Median | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| 75th percentile | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,450 | $48.29 |
| Average (mean) | $66,260 | $31.86 |
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 | $5,116.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,558.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,361.54 |
| Weekly | $1,180.77 |
| Hourly | $29.52 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,920 | 240 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Floral Designer | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Fashion Designer | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $88,350 | $42.48 |
| Designers, All Other | $51,740 | $24.88 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Art Director | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for interior designers in North Carolina is $61,400 a year, or $29.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interior designers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of interior designers in North Carolina earn at least $100,450 a year. The top 25% earn $78,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for interior designers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,870 a year, and a quarter of interior designers earn $49,490 or less.
How many interior designers work in North Carolina?
About 2,610 interior designers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.