Career comparison
Graphic Designer vs. Interior Designer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Interior designers earn more at the median ($67,190 vs. $62,960), while graphic designers usually get to work faster (4 years or portfolio-based training of training). Graphic designers create logos, layouts and visuals that communicate ideas and build brands. Interior designers design interior spaces that are functional, safe and beautiful.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Graphic Designer | Interior Designer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,960 ($30.27/hr) | $67,190 ($32.31/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,520 – $104,910 | $41,420 – $114,140 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.7% (a projected decline) | +2.7% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 16,000 | 7,700 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years or portfolio-based training | 4 years |
| Key credential | Adobe Certified Professional | NCIDQ Certification |
| Work setting | Designers work in studios, offices or remotely, at computers for most of the day.. | Designers work in studios and offices and visit client sites, showrooms and construction projects.. |
What each job does
Graphic Designer
- Meet with clients to understand goals
- Develop design concepts
- Design logos, layouts and graphics
- Select typography, color and images
- Prepare files for print and digital
Interior Designer
- Meet clients to define needs and budgets
- Plan space layouts
- Create drawings and 3D renderings
- Select finishes, furniture and lighting
- Follow codes and accessibility rules
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work and indoor work. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose graphic designer if…
- I love visual design
- I notice fonts and layouts
- I take feedback well
Choose interior designer if…
- I love designing spaces
- I have a good eye for color and materials
- I like solving layout problems
Still torn? Take the Graphic Designer fit quiz and the Interior Designer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, graphic designer or interior designer?
Interior Designers earn more at the median: $67,190 versus $62,960 for graphic designers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Graphic Designers typically train faster (4 years or portfolio-based training) than interior designers (4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects interior designers to grow +2.7% from 2025–35, compared with -1.7% for graphic designers.