Earnings

Median annual wages nationally for interior designers were $46,280 in May 2010. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,620 and $61,880. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,380, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $84,900. Interior design salaries vary widely with the specialty, type of employer, number of years of experience, and reputation of the individuals. Among salaried interior designers, those in large specialized design and architectural firms tend to earn higher and more stable salaries. Interior designers working in retail stores usually earn a commission, which can be irregular.

For residential design projects, self-employed interior designers and those working in smaller firms usually earn a per-hour consulting fee, plus a percentage of the total cost of furniture, lighting, artwork, and other design elements. For commercial projects, they might charge a per-hour consulting fee, charge by the square footage, or charge a flat fee for the whole project. In addition, designers who use specialty contractors usually earn a percentage of the contractor's earnings on the project in return for hiring the contractor. Self-employed designers must provide their own benefits.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)