Interior architecture salary is one of the most frequently asked questions by students, early-career professionals, and career changers exploring this creative but technical field. Unlike traditional interior design, interior architecture blends artistic design with structural problem-solving, which often places it closer to architecture in terms of complexity. Because of this, salaries are higher than entry-level design jobs but typically lower than fully licensed architects working in construction-heavy roles.
As of 2025, pay for interior architects in the US is strong, with averages climbing due to inflation adjustments, demand for sustainable projects, and changing workplace norms. However, pay also varies greatly depending on where you live, your employer, and your career stage. This article explores averages, ranges, growth opportunities, and challenges — giving you a clear picture of where you stand and what steps you can take to boost your earning potential.
What Is Interior Architecture?
Interior architecture is more than arranging furniture or choosing finishes. It focuses on:
Structural space planning — shaping how walls, partitions, and circulation flows work.
Code compliance & safety — ensuring designs meet fire codes, ADA regulations, and building laws.
Aesthetic integration — balancing form and function so interiors look appealing while serving their purpose.
Collaboration — working with engineers, architects, and contractors to execute complex projects.
For example, while a decorator may pick colors for a hotel lobby, an interior architect designs the spatial flow of the lobby, ensures staircases meet code, and integrates lighting systems that enhance both safety and atmosphere. This depth of responsibility directly affects interior architecture salary range compared to standard interior designers.
National Average & Salary Range
As of 2025, sources report the following:
- Median annual wage: ~$63,500 (BLS, 2024 data).
- Average salary: $72,000–$76,000 (Salary.com, Comparably).
- Low range: $45,000–$50,000 (junior or assistant roles).
- High range: $100,000–$150,000 (senior designers, managers, or niche experts).
- Outliers: ZipRecruiter lists an average of ~$128,000, with some listings above $180,000 for senior or specialized positions.
- In short: most US-based interior architects fall into the $55,000–$110,000 band, with career progression and credentials pushing salaries into six figures.
Interior Architecture Salary by Experience Level
Experience level is one of the most important salary factors:
- Entry-Level / Juniors (0–3 years): $45,000–$55,000. Roles often focus on drafting, 3D rendering, or assisting licensed staff.
- Early-Career Licensed (3–7 years): $60,000–$75,000. Once licensed or NCIDQ-certified, professionals see an interior architecture salary bump.
- Mid-Career / Project Managers (7–12 years): $75,000–$90,000. At this stage, architects run client projects and mentor juniors.
- Senior Designers / Directors (12–20 years): $90,000–$110,000. Salaries exceed six figures, especially in metro areas.
- Principals / Owners (20+ years): $120,000–$160,000 base. With profit-sharing, compensation may exceed $200,000.
For example, a 5-year licensed interior architect in Austin may earn $72k, while a 15-year design director in New York City could easily cross $120k.
Geographic Variation in Pay
Location is a multiplier in case of interior architecture salary:
- High-paying states: Illinois (~$82,700), California (~$79,900), New York (~$75,800).
- Top cities: San Francisco (~$91,000), Los Angeles (~$88,000), New York City (~$80,000+).
- Lower-paying states: Florida (~$57,500), rural Midwest (~$50,000).
Why? Big cities have larger budgets, more commercial projects, and higher costs of living.
However, remote work has disrupted pay gaps. Many firms now pay “regional bands” (urban vs. suburban vs. rural), while some pay flat national salaries. A designer in Kansas might now negotiate $70k+ because they work for a San Francisco-based firm that values talent over geography.
Salary by Employer Type and Industry
Different employer types create different interior architecture salary outcomes:
- Architecture & engineering firms: Median ~$74,000. Best pay, especially for corporate or institutional projects.
- Wholesale & furnishings: ~$67,500. Often tied to product sales.
- Specialized design firms: ~$62,700. Smaller studios with tighter margins.
- Retail & furniture showrooms: ~$58,000. More sales-driven roles.
Commercial projects (offices, hospitality, healthcare) pay more than residential design. In fact, ASID data shows commercial designers earn $14,000 more annually than residential peers.
Self-employed designers enjoy flexibility but average only $50,000, since inconsistent projects and overhead reduce net income.
Education, Skills & Certifications That Impact Pay
Your background matters as much as your portfolio.
- Education: A bachelor’s degree adds ~$17,000 annually compared to no degree. Master’s graduates often earn nearly double compared to those with only high school credentials.
- NCIDQ certification: Certified designers earn 23% more than peers. Some states require NCIDQ for practice.
- LEED accreditation: Essential for green building projects, often linked to higher pay.
- Technical skills: AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, and Adobe proficiency are minimum expectations. Those mastering BIM workflows or AR/VR visualization often command higher salaries.
- Soft skills: Leadership, budgeting, and client relations open doors to managerial roles.
- Example: A mid-career NCIDQ-certified designer in Chicago with Revit expertise could earn $90k+, while a non-certified peer in a smaller city may still be under $60k.
Bonuses, Perks & Total Compensation
Salary is only one piece. Interior architects also benefit from:
- Bonuses: Year-end or project-based bonuses often add 5–15%.
- Profit sharing: Especially in larger firms or ownership roles.
- Commissions: Common in retail or product-driven firms.
- Benefits: Health insurance, 401(k), PTO, education reimbursements.
- Lifestyle perks: Flexible hours, remote work options, design center access, travel stipends.
In total, an architect with a $70k base salary might take home $80k+ once bonuses and benefits are added.
Job Outlook and Growth
The job outlook for interior architects is stable, with projected growth of 3% from 2024–2034. That’s roughly 7,800 openings annually.
Trends driving growth:
- Sustainability: LEED and green-certified interiors are in high demand.
- Healthcare: Aging populations need senior living and medical facilities.
- Hospitality & retail: Branding-driven design is booming in big cities.
- Remote work: Home offices and adaptive spaces have become essential.
This means demand isn’t explosive but steady. Specialists in green design, healthcare, or workplace strategy are likely to see stronger demand.
Future Interior Architecture Salary Trends in Interior Architecture
Looking forward, the interior architecture salary landscape is expected to shift as technology, sustainability, and global events influence the built environment. One major driver will be the rise of green and sustainable design. With stricter energy codes and growing demand for LEED- and WELL-certified projects, interior architects who specialize in environmentally responsible design will likely command premium pay.
Firms are already investing in professionals who can integrate renewable materials, passive energy strategies, and smart building systems into their projects. Another major influence is technology adoption. As design firms increasingly use Building Information Modeling (BIM), parametric design, and even artificial intelligence for space planning, salaries for architects skilled in these tools will rise. Employers know that a BIM-savvy designer saves both time and cost, which translates into higher value — and higher compensation.
Remote work will continue reshaping pay, too. Firms hiring nationally are reducing location-based disparities, meaning that designers in smaller cities could earn salaries closer to their peers in New York or Los Angeles. On the other hand, automation of lower-level drafting tasks may hold down pay for entry-level roles, creating an even sharper distinction between certified, specialized professionals and generalists.
Taken together, these trends suggest that salaries will grow steadily, but unevenly, with top specialists potentially outpacing average growth. By 2030, experts project that average salaries for interior architects could climb by 10–15%, assuming inflation remains stable. For those entering the profession now, staying ahead of these shifts through continuous learning and niche expertise is the best way to ensure rising earnings.
Challenges That Can Limit Interior Architecture Salary
Not everything drives salaries upward. Key obstacles include:
- Economic downturns: Recessions slow construction and design spending.
- Competition: Many graduates enter the field, keeping entry pay modest.
- Residential focus: Niche is fulfilling but usually lower paid.
- Gender gap: Men in leadership earn ~$19,000 more than women in similar roles.
- Credential barriers: Without NCIDQ or state certification, higher-paying jobs are out of reach.
- Freelancing risks: Independent designers often face irregular income.
How to Increase Your Interior Architecture Salary
Practical strategies for boosting pay:
- Pursue NCIDQ or LEED credentials to stand out.
- Continue education with a master’s or business-focused courses.
- Specialize in lucrative niches like corporate, healthcare, or luxury projects.
- Seek top-paying employers — large firms or corporate design teams.
- Relocate or negotiate remote roles in high-paying states/cities.
- Develop leadership skills to move into management.
- Negotiate raises and offers using salary benchmarks.
Example: A mid-level designer earning $65k could add NCIDQ certification, move into corporate interiors, and jump into the $80k–$90k range within two years.
Comparison with Related Professions
Another way to understand the interior architecture salary is to compare it with related professions. For instance, general interior designers in the US earn a median of around $63,000 per year【BLS】, slightly below the averages for interior architects because their work often focuses more on aesthetics and less on technical building integration. Licensed architects, by contrast, earn higher salaries, with BLS reporting a median of $97,000 in 2024 — reflecting their broader responsibilities in structural design and project management.
Meanwhile, industrial designers, who focus on product and furniture design, average about $77,000, putting them close to interior architects but with very different daily tasks. For professionals considering career choices, these comparisons highlight that interior architecture offers a middle ground: more technical and financially rewarding than interior design, yet often less demanding (and less lucrative) than full architectural licensure. Salary comparisons also show why many professionals pursue dual credentials.
An interior architect with both NCIDQ certification and an architecture license can straddle both markets, often commanding six-figure salaries. Additionally, those who combine interior design expertise with project management certifications (like PMP) or sustainability credentials (like LEED AP) can surpass peers in both design and architecture fields.
Compared to professions like graphic design (median ~$59k) or urban planning (median ~$79k), interior architecture stands out as a stable, versatile, and well-compensated career path. The ability to move across sectors — residential, corporate, healthcare, or hospitality — also gives interior architects more flexibility than many related professions. Ultimately, for individuals who enjoy both technical problem-solving and creative design, the compensation data suggests that interior architecture balances financial rewards with career satisfaction better than many alternatives.
Conclusion
In 2025, the interior architecture salary in the US reflects a balance of creativity and business realities. Most professionals earn between $55,000 and $110,000, while leaders and specialists push into six figures. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and location, but credentials and specialization consistently increase earning potential.
The job outlook is steady, fueled by sustainability, healthcare, and adaptive workspace demand. While challenges exist — from economic downturns to credential barriers — proactive professionals can overcome them.
Ultimately, success comes down to combining education, credentials, specialization, and negotiation. By following these strategies, interior architects can not only design inspiring spaces but also build financially rewarding careers.
