As the interior design industry expands to employ over 100,000 professionals and counting, the strategic role of human resources has never been more critical in shaping its vibrant and competitive future.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were approximately 48,700 interior designers employed in the United States
- The interior design industry employed over 100,000 professionals including support staff in 2023 across the US
- Employment of interior designers is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations
- The median annual wage for interior designers was $62,510 in May 2023
- Interior designers in the top 10% earned more than $104,030 annually in 2023
- Lowest 10% of interior designers earned less than $39,080 in 2023
- 76% of interior designers are female as of 2023 surveys
- Average age of interior designers: 42 years in 2023
- 24% of interior designers hold bachelor's degrees only, 15% master's
- Women hold 78% of junior interior design roles 2023
- Ethnic minorities: 18% of interior design leadership 2023
- DEI programs implemented in 67% of design firms 2023
- Annual turnover rate in interior design: 18.5% in 2023
- Voluntary turnover: 12% among interior designers 2023
- Average tenure: 4.2 years for interior designers 2023
The interior design field is growing and requires effective HR to support a diverse workforce.
Compensation and Benefits
- The median annual wage for interior designers was $62,510 in May 2023
- Interior designers in the top 10% earned more than $104,030 annually in 2023
- Lowest 10% of interior designers earned less than $39,080 in 2023
- Average salary for interior designers in New York: $78,500 in 2023
- California interior designer average pay: $72,100 in 2023
- Entry-level interior designer salary averaged $48,000 in 2023 US
- Senior interior designer average salary: $85,200 in 2023
- Interior design managers earn median $95,000 annually in 2023
- 68% of interior design firms offer health insurance benefits in 2023
- Average bonus for interior designers: 5.2% of salary in 2023
- 401(k) matching provided by 55% of interior design employers 2023
- Paid time off averages 15 days per year for interior designers
- Commission structures in residential design average 10% of project value
- HR directors in design firms earn $120,000 median 2023
- Overtime pay eligibility: 72% of junior designers qualify in 2023
- Average raise rate in interior design: 3.8% annually 2023
- Remote interior designers earn 2% less on average than in-office
- Gender pay gap in interior design: women earn 92 cents to men's dollar 2023
- Commercial interior designers average $68,400 salary 2023
- Residential designers median pay $60,200 in 2023
- Benefits package value averages $12,500 per employee in design firms 2023
- Stock options offered to 18% of senior design staff 2023
- Tuition reimbursement for design certifications: 62% of firms
- Wellness benefits in 45% of interior design companies 2023
- Average HR salary in interior design firms: $92,000 in 2023
Compensation and Benefits Interpretation
The industry's pay scale shows you can either design dreams for a comfortable $62k, or ascend to management to afford the furniture you recommend, while the persistent gender gap proves that even in a field of aesthetics, some imbalances remain starkly unattractive.
Diversity and Inclusion
- Women hold 78% of junior interior design roles 2023
- Ethnic minorities: 18% of interior design leadership 2023
- DEI programs implemented in 67% of design firms 2023
- Black/African American interior designers: 4% of workforce 2023
- Firms with gender diversity policies: 72% in 2023
- Inclusive hiring practices adopted by 58% of interior design HR 2023
- LGBTQ+ employee resource groups in 22% of firms 2023
- Disability representation: 3% self-identified in surveys 2023
- Mentorship programs for underrepresented groups: 49% participation 2023
- Bias training conducted in 61% of design companies 2023
- Women in executive roles: 42% increase since 2018 to 2023
- Multicultural teams report 15% higher innovation 2023 study
- 55% of firms track diversity metrics in HR 2023
- Indigenous representation: 1.2% in workforce 2023
- Pay equity audits: 38% of firms annually 2023
- Supplier diversity programs: 29% adoption 2023
- Neurodiversity hiring initiatives: 12% of large firms 2023
- Age diversity policies: 34% of HR practices 2023
- Veteran hiring goals met by 25% of firms 2023
- Intersectional DEI training: 41% coverage 2023
- Employee affinity groups: 35% prevalence 2023
Diversity and Inclusion Interpretation
The industry has admirably built a diversity framework, but the numbers suggest it's still more of a well-intentioned blueprint than a fully-furnished reality.
Employment Trends
- In 2022, there were approximately 48,700 interior designers employed in the United States
- The interior design industry employed over 100,000 professionals including support staff in 2023 across the US
- Employment of interior designers is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations
- In 2023, California had the highest employment level of interior designers with 5,890 jobs
- New York employed 4,200 interior designers in 2023, ranking second nationally
- Florida's interior design employment reached 3,760 in 2023
- Texas had 3,510 interior designer jobs in 2023
- The number of interior design firms in the US grew by 2.1% annually from 2018-2023
- About 45% of interior designers work in architectural, engineering, and related services in 2022
- 24% of interior designers were employed by specialized design services firms in 2022
- Wholesale and retail trade accounted for 12% of interior designer employment in 2022
- Self-employed interior designers make up about 14% of the workforce as of 2022
- The interior design staffing industry saw a 3% increase in job openings in Q1 2024
- Over 30,000 new interior design jobs were added globally from 2020-2023
- US interior design employment density is highest in New York with 20.5 per 1,000 workers
- Midwest region saw slowest employment growth at 1.2% annually for interior designers 2018-2023
- 65% of interior design positions require on-site presence post-2023
- Remote work in interior design HR roles increased by 15% since 2022
- Entry-level interior design jobs grew 5% YoY in 2023
- Senior interior designer roles saw 2,500 openings in 2023 US
- Interior design apprenticeships numbered 1,200 in 2023 across US firms
- Contract interior design employment rose 8% in commercial sector 2022-2023
- Hospitality sector added 1,800 interior design jobs in 2023
- Residential interior design employment stable at 28% of total workforce 2023
- Government sector employs 4% of interior designers as of 2022
- Education sector interior design jobs: 3% of total in 2022
- Healthcare design roles grew 6% in employment 2022-2023
- Average annual job openings for interior designers: 6,300 from 2022-2032
- Pacific region location quotient for interior designers: 1.25 in 2023
Employment Trends Interpretation
While the industry's projected growth is as modest as a beige accent wall, the real story is in the shifting furniture of the workforce, where remote HR roles are expanding, the commercial and healthcare sectors are building out new positions, and nearly half of all designers are still firmly anchored in the architectural and engineering services that form the foundation of the field.
Retention and Development
- Annual turnover rate in interior design: 18.5% in 2023
- Voluntary turnover: 12% among interior designers 2023
- Average tenure: 4.2 years for interior designers 2023
- 62% of firms offer professional development budgets 2023
- Leadership training participation: 45% of mid-level staff 2023
- Certification rates (NCIDQ): 65% of professionals 2023
- Onboarding programs reduce turnover by 20% per 2023 study
- Exit interviews conducted by 78% of firms 2023
- Employee engagement scores average 72/100 in design 2023
- Succession planning in 52% of interior design companies 2023
- Flexible hours retain 25% more millennials 2023 data
- Mentorship programs linked to 15% lower turnover 2023
- Performance reviews annual in 89% of firms 2023
- Upskilling budgets average $2,500 per employee 2023
- Remote work retention boost: 18% higher 2023 survey
- Burnout cited in 28% of voluntary exits 2023
- Career pathing offered to 67% staff 2023
- 360-degree feedback in 41% firms improves retention 2023
- Wellness programs cut turnover 10% in 2023 studies
- Internal promotions: 35% of senior roles filled 2023
- HR tech adoption for retention: 55% in 2023
- Post-pandemic retention challenges: 22% higher turnover 2023
Retention and Development Interpretation
The industry is pouring money into everything from upskilling to wellness programs in a valiant, slightly desperate attempt to patch the revolving door, yet still seems puzzled that burnout and a lack of clear paths keep nudging their talented designers toward the exit.
Workforce Demographics
- 76% of interior designers are female as of 2023 surveys
- Average age of interior designers: 42 years in 2023
- 24% of interior designers hold bachelor's degrees only, 15% master's
- Millennials comprise 52% of interior design workforce 2023
- Gen Z entering interior design: 12% of workforce in 2023
- Baby boomers represent 8% of active interior designers 2023
- Urban areas house 68% of interior design professionals 2023
- 82% of interior designers are white/Caucasian per 2023 data
- Asian Americans: 9% of interior design workforce 2023
- Hispanic/Latino interior designers: 6% in 2023 US
- Full-time workers: 85% of interior design employment 2023
- Part-time interior designers: 15% primarily women-led 2023
- 35-44 age group largest at 28% of workforce 2023
- Veterans in interior design: 4% of total workforce 2023
- LGBTQ+ identification: 11% among interior designers 2023 survey
- Married interior designers: 62% in 2023 demographics
- Parents in workforce: 48% have children under 18
- 10+ years experience: 45% of interior designers 2023
- Recent graduates (0-2 years): 18% of workforce 2023
- Northeast region: 25% of national interior design workforce 2023
- South region: 30% of interior design professionals 2023
- 92% of interior designers have postsecondary education 2023
Workforce Demographics Interpretation
The interior design industry is a portrait of vibrant, experienced talent—mostly women, solidly educated, and squarely millennial—yet it clearly faces a mirror and must ask itself why its professional reflection remains overwhelmingly white and urban.
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