Interior Designer salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Interior Designers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $59,470 a year ($28.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,960 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $67,190. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $58,040. There are 0.52 interior designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interior designers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| 25th percentile | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Median | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| 75th percentile | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,960 | $55.75 |
| Average (mean) | $67,540 | $32.47 |
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 | $4,955.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,477.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,287.31 |
| Weekly | $1,143.65 |
| Hourly | $28.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Interior Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $67,120 | 270 |
| 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 |
See Interior Designer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $51,060 | $24.55 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $51,890 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Editor | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Producers and Directors | $51,500 | $24.76 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for interior designers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $59,470 a year, or $28.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interior designers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of interior designers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $115,960 a year. The top 25% earn $76,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for interior designers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,990 a year, and a quarter of interior designers earn $45,730 or less.
How many interior designers work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 40 interior designers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.