SOC 3421 Culture, media and sports occupations

Interior designers Salary

Median salary £34,962 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £35,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For interior designers, £36,485 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -7.0% versus the national average.

About this role

Interior designers plan and design interior spaces for residential, commercial, hospitality and public buildings. They select materials, furniture, lighting and colour schemes to create functional and aesthetically pleasing environments that meet client requirements and building regulations.

Key responsibilities

Consulting with clients on design requirements and budgets
Developing interior design concepts and mood boards
Producing detailed plans, elevations and specifications
Selecting and specifying materials, furniture and finishes
Managing projects from concept through to installation

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in interior design or interior architecture. BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) membership is the professional standard. SBID (Society of British & International Design) accreditation is also recognised.

Career outlook

Demand is linked to construction and refurbishment activity. Hospitality, workplace design and high-end residential offer strong opportunities.

Key skills

Space planning Material specification CAD and visualisation software Colour theory Client management

Common industries

Interior design practices
Architecture firms
Hospitality
Retail design
Residential development

Data coverage

SOC code 3421

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 18,000

Median Salary

£34,962

Mean Salary

£34,973

Jobs (000s)

18k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £26,951Median: £34,962

P10: --P25: £27kMedian: £35kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£26,951

0-2 years

Mid Level

£26,951

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +18.8%Real growth: -3.9%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 3.7%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£34,962

Full-time Only

£36,485

Full-time premium: +£1,523

Interior designers salary: common questions

How much do interior designers earn in the UK?

Interior designers earn a median of £36,485 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £36,485 a good salary in the UK?

For interior designers, £36,485 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -7.0% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for interior designers?

Entry-level interior designers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £26,951, though this varies by employer and region.

Have interior designers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median interior designers pay has risen from £30,540 to £36,485 — +19% in cash terms, or -3.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for interior designers?

Male interior designers earn a median £36,057 and female interior designers £34,731 — a gap of +4.0% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).