Hiring guide · Arts, Media & Design
How to Hire an Interior Designer
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring interior designers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $67,190), recruit through portfolio sites and creative communities, verify NCIDQ Certification where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for interior designers
There are about 97,100 interior designers employed in the U.S., with roughly 7,700 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +2.7% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $41,420–$51,840 | $19.91–$24.92 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $67,190 | $32.31 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $85,740 | $41.22 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $114,140 | $54.88 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Bachelor's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Space planning
- Creativity
Nice-to-haves
- NCIDQ Certification
- LEED Green Associate
- Revit certification
- Experience with autoCAD
Where to find interior designers
- Portfolio sites and creative communities
- Art, design, film and journalism school career centers
- Freelancers who have already worked with your team
- Professional associations such as AIGA and PRSA
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Interior Design Consultant, Commercial Interior Designer, Residential Designer, Space Planner
Screening checklist
- Portfolio or reel review
- A short paid test project
- Software proficiency check
- References from clients or creative directors
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Walk us through a project.”
What a strong answer includes: Explain process.
2. “How do you handle budget limits?”
What a strong answer includes: Show creativity.
3. “What software do you use?”
What a strong answer includes: Name tools.
4. “How do you apply codes?”
What a strong answer includes: Give examples.
5. “Are you pursuing NCIDQ?”
What a strong answer includes: Share plans.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Create a Space Plan (see the steps)
- Build a Finish Schedule (see the steps)
- Present a Design to a Client (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Space planning, Floor plan, Elevation
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Interior Designer 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Interior Designer training. Show them the path forward: Junior Designer → Interior Designer → Senior Designer → Principal or Firm Owner.
Hiring interior designers: FAQ
How much should I pay an interior designer?
The U.S. median wage for interior designers is $67,190 per year ($32.31/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($51,840), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($85,740). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an interior designer have?
BLS lists “bachelor's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for NCIDQ Certification and LEED Green Associate where relevant, plus skills such as space planning, autocad and revit, and 3d rendering.
How long does it take to train a new interior designer?
Becoming qualified typically takes 4 years. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”