How Much Do Interior Designers Make In California

Thinking about a creative career where you shape spaces and bring visions to life? Maybe you've got a knack for picking out just the right colors or arranging furniture so everything feels cozy and welcoming. If so, you might be wondering what that kind of work actually pays, especially if you're dreaming of doing it in California. It's a pretty big question, you know, figuring out if a passion can also provide a comfortable living.

So, we're going to take a closer look at what interior designers in California can typically expect to earn. It's not always one simple number, as you might guess. Pay can shift quite a bit depending on things like how long you've been doing this kind of work or even which part of the state you're in. We've gathered some figures that might give you a clearer picture, drawn from various sources and updated fairly recently, actually.

This information should give you a good sense of the money side of things for interior design professionals across the Golden State. It's helpful to see the spread, from those just starting out to folks who have been at it for a while and are making a good deal more. You'll get a feel for the different income possibilities and what influences them, which is pretty useful if you're planning your next steps, or just curious about how much do interior designers make in california.

How Much Do Interior Designers Make in California - A General Look
What Are the Typical Pay Rates for Interior Designers in California?
How Much Do Entry-Level Interior Designers Make in California?
What Do Top Earners Make as Interior Designers in California?
Hourly Wages for Interior Designers in California
How Does California Compare to Other Places for Interior Designer Earnings?
What Influences How Much an Interior Designer Makes in California?
A Quick Summary of How Much Do Interior Designers Make in California

How Much Do Interior Designers Make in California - A General Look

When you start to look at what interior designers in California are paid, you find a few different figures floating around, which is pretty normal for any job, really. For instance, based on quite a lot of job postings that have popped up over the last three years or so, it looks like the typical yearly income for someone in this field is about $80,403. That figure was last updated in the middle of June 2025, so it's fairly current, you know. It gives you a good starting point for how much do interior designers make in california.

Then, if you check another source, around June 17, 2025, the usual yearly earnings for an interior designer in California were seen as slightly different, coming in at $71,895. It's interesting how these numbers can vary a little depending on where the information comes from, but they usually give you a similar overall picture. So, that's another piece of the puzzle to consider when you're figuring out how much do interior designers make in california.

Yet another look at the numbers shows the usual pay for an interior designer at $93,499 each year. This particular figure also translates to about $45 for every hour worked. What's more, this amount is said to be about 19% higher than some other comparisons, which could mean California is a pretty good place to be if you're in this line of work. It definitely adds to the picture of how much do interior designers make in california.

What Are the Typical Pay Rates for Interior Designers in California?

So, let's get a bit more specific about the general range of what interior designers might be earning in California. One common estimate puts the average yearly income at roughly $75,000. If you break that down, it's like getting about $6,250 every month, which, you know, sounds like a decent amount for many people. This figure helps paint a picture of how much do interior designers make in california on a regular basis.

Other sources give a slightly different, yet still helpful, picture. They suggest that the typical yearly earnings for interior designers in California hover around $63,370. What's useful about this information is that it also tells you the usual starting point for pay, which is around $38,490, and how high it can go, reaching up to $101,100. So, that gives you a pretty wide span to think about, really, when you're trying to figure out how much do interior designers make in california.

There's also information that points to the average yearly income for an interior designer in California being about $84,793. Or, if you prefer to think in terms of hourly work, that's roughly $40.77 for each hour. This number, like the others, helps to fill out the overall picture of what someone in this role might be bringing home, which is quite important when considering how much do interior designers make in california.

And then, just to add another perspective, one look at the numbers, based on about 454 salaries, shows the typical yearly income for an interior design role in California as $104,240. That's a pretty good sum, you know, and it shows that there are certainly opportunities for higher earnings in this field within the state. It's all part of understanding how much do interior designers make in california.

Another data point suggests the typical yearly income for an interior designer in California is around $100,547. This particular view also gives a range, saying that most people in this job probably earn somewhere between $70,783 and $137,167 each year. This covers a big chunk of the pay scale, from the 25th to the 75th percentile, which gives a solid idea of the common earnings for interior designers in California.

Finally, a more recent figure, from 2023, puts the typical yearly income for an interior designer in California at $80,765. This works out to be about $6,730 every month. It's helpful to see these numbers from different times and sources, as they all contribute to a fuller picture of what interior designers are paid. It definitely helps to get a better sense of how much do interior designers make in california.

How Much Do Entry-Level Interior Designers Make in California?

If you're just starting out in the world of interior design in California, you might be wondering what your first paychecks could look like. As of early June 2025, it seems the typical yearly income for someone just beginning their career as an interior designer in California is about $58,902. That's a pretty solid starting point for someone fresh to the field, you know.

Another piece of information suggests that for those just getting their foot in the door, starting positions can typically begin around $63,571 per year. So, while the numbers might vary a little, they both point to a pretty decent income for new professionals. This is good to know when you're thinking about how much do interior designers make in california right at the beginning of their careers.

It's also worth noting that the second highest paying city or area in California for entry-level interior designers is San, though the specific city name isn't fully provided here. This hints that where you choose to start your career within the state could make a bit of a difference in your initial earnings. So, the location within California can play a role in how much do interior designers make in california, even for those just starting out.

What Do Top Earners Make as Interior Designers in California?

For those interior designers who have been around for a while, perhaps with a lot of experience or a really strong reputation, the earning potential goes up quite a bit. It's like, the very best earners in this field can bring in over $103,473 each year. That's a pretty significant jump from the average, you know, showing what's possible with time and skill. It gives a good idea of the higher end of how much do interior designers make in california.

Looking at another set of figures, the people who are at the very top of the earning scale can receive as much as $132,062 per year. This really highlights the potential for growth in this profession in California. It's a good motivator, actually, to see that hard work and building up your expertise can lead to such impressive incomes. So, if you're aiming high, this is what you could potentially achieve as an interior designer in California.

Hourly Wages for Interior Designers in California

Sometimes it's easier to think about pay in terms of how much you earn per hour, especially if you're working on a project basis or as a freelancer. As we mentioned earlier, one estimate puts the hourly rate for an interior designer in California at about $45. This is based on a yearly income of $93,499, so it's just a different way of looking at the same money. It's a useful way to think about how much do interior designers make in california if you prefer hourly figures.

Another calculation shows the typical hourly wage for an interior designer in California to be around $40.77. This comes from a yearly average of $84,793. So, whether you're thinking about annual salaries or breaking it down by the hour, these numbers give you a pretty consistent picture of what to expect. It helps to have both perspectives when considering how much do interior designers make in california.

How Does California Compare to Other Places for Interior Designer Earnings?

It's always interesting to see how California stacks up against other places when it comes to what interior designers are paid. Apparently, interior designers seem to earn the most in a few specific states, and California is right there among them. The others mentioned are Illinois, Virginia, and Georgia. So, that's a good sign if you're thinking of working in California, as it's considered one of the higher-paying locations for this kind of work, actually.

When you look at the bigger picture, interior designers across America, on average, make about $72,212 each year. Or, if you prefer, that's roughly $34.72 for every hour they work. When you compare California's typical earnings, which are often higher than this national average, it really shows that the Golden State offers pretty competitive pay for interior design professionals. This comparison helps put into perspective how much do interior designers make in california relative to the rest of the country.

What Influences How Much an Interior Designer Makes in California?

So, you've seen a bunch of different numbers for what interior designers earn in California. It's pretty clear that it's not just one fixed amount. A few key things can really make those earnings go up or down. For example, how much experience you have plays a big role. Someone who's been designing spaces for many years and has a strong portfolio will, you know, typically command a higher fee than someone just starting out. This is a very common factor in how much do interior designers make in california.

Another really important factor is where in California you're working. As we briefly touched on earlier, different cities or regions within the state can have different pay scales. Places with a higher cost of living or a greater demand for interior design services might offer more generous compensation. So, the specific location within California can definitely influence how much do interior designers make in california. It's something to think about if you're planning your career path.

Also, the kind of projects you take on can make a difference. Are you working on residential homes, commercial spaces, or something else entirely? The complexity and scale of the work can affect your earnings, too. It's not just about being an interior designer; it's about the type of interior design you do, which, you know, can really shift the numbers for how much do interior designers make in california.

A Quick Summary of How Much Do Interior Designers Make in California

To give you a quick overview of what we've covered, the typical yearly pay for an interior designer in California often falls somewhere around $80,000. Some figures suggest it's $80,403, based on job postings updated in June 2025, while others show it closer to $71,895 or even $93,499, which can be about $45 an hour. There's also data pointing to an average of $104,240 from a different set of salaries.

For those just beginning, an entry-level interior designer in California might expect to earn around $58,902 or $63,571 each year. On the other hand, experienced professionals and top earners can see their yearly income go well over $100,000, sometimes reaching up to $132,062. The overall range for interior designers in California typically starts around $38,490 and can go up to $101,100, with some reaching as high as $137,167.

California is considered one of the higher-paying states for this profession, standing alongside places like Illinois, Virginia, and Georgia, and generally offering more than the national average of $72,212 per year. Factors like how much experience someone has, where they work within California, and the specific types of projects they handle all play a part in determining how much an interior designer makes in the state.