Interior Designer Salary in India 2026 – A Complete Guide

Over the last decade, the interior designing industry has witnessed massive growth.  The industry is expected to touch 175.74 billion dollars by the end of 2030.

In today’s scenario, Interior designers stand tall as creative professionals with high income potential. With the enhancement of urban lifestyle and a high purchasing power, the demand for interior designers in India has increased. 

To become a successful interior designer, you should be knowledgeable and skilful. Moreover, you can easily get a high salary package after completing Interior Design Courses. 

In this guide, we will discuss the ins and outs of an interior designer’s salary in India. You will learn about the average monthly salary of interior designers on the basis of parameters including various job profiles, location, experience among others. 

Get ready and take your first step to succeed in this dynamic field. 

Must Read: How to Become an Interior Designer – A Step by Step Guide

Interior Designer Salary in India 2026

Growing real estate, expansion of the retail and hospitality sector and increasing user awareness regarding interior spaces have contributed towards the popularity of interior designers. 

From large-scale residential projects to long-term commercial projects, interior designers enjoy varied opportunities that technically transform into better income streams. However, the salary spectrum of interior designers in India is not the same. Interior designer salary in India is reflected by skillset, specialization, city and career stage. 

Average Interior Designer Salary in India

The average salary of an Interior designer in India is dependent on multiple factors. However, the growth prospects play a key role in enhancing your salary. 

The breakdown below depicts that the interior designer salary per month. 

Interior Designer Sallary [ Experience Level]	Average Monthly Salary
Entry-level Interior Designers	20,000
Mid-level Interior Designers	40,000 to 70,000
Senior-level Interior Designers	1,00,000 and above

As per various sources

Fresher vs Experienced Salary 

Experience plays a vital role in determining your salary level. Fresher interior designers work as junior designers or design assistants. The starting salary for a fresher starts from 20,000 to 30,000 per month. Senior interior designers are known to have an extensive portfolio and better industry reputation. They can earn up to 7.4 LPA in a year. 

 Freelance vs Full-Time Salary

Full-time interior designer roles offer steady monthly salaries to individuals. Those working in a real-site get the advantage of real-site experience. However, Interior designers working on freelance models probably earn well as compared to the salaried persons. Their income mainly comes from individual projects.

Well-established freelancers have the potential to earn 50,000 to 1 lakh per month. Moreover, a freelance interior designer salary goes upward depending on the level and scale of the project. 

How Interior Designer Salaries Are Calculated? 

Interior design salary in India is mainly calculated based on factors like experience level of an interior designer, location, company size, and pricing model. The average interior designer salary in India is dependent on your skillset, the interior design degree you are holding and the job profile. 

All these factors are combined to calculate the average monthly and annual salary of interior designers. 

Industry Demand and Market Trends in 2026

As per extensive industry research, the year 2026 is about to bring multiple job opportunities for interior designer roles. The market trends show that mid to large-scale interior designing companies will dominate the interior design market. The surge in commercial activities in cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai will help create a bundle of job opportunities for interior design students. 

With more than 750 interior design colleges in India, aspirants can opt to enrol in an institute that offers the finest placement opportunities. 

Key Factors That Influence an Interior Designer’s Salary

Interior designer pay scale is particularly shaped by several parameters. Employers and placement companies mainly evaluate students on the basis of these parameters for a job role. 

Type of Interior Designing Course

There are so many interior designing courses in India. Graduates with a B.Des degree in fashion designing or a Post Graduate degree in fashion designing have a high starting salary package.

Institute Reputation & Training Quality

The credibility of an institute plays a key role in helping students land jobs in top companies. AAFT Noida is a premier institute that manages to offer a well-diversified atmosphere to interior design students. Top companies take students during campus placements and offer them handsome salary packages. 

Portfolio Strength

A well-documented portfolio is ideal to showcase your abilities, live projects, academic scores and skill level. 

Software and Technical Skills

If you have the knowledge of tools like Lumion or proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit and SketchUp, you would be able to stand out in the crowd. 

Location and City Demand

An interior designer’s salary varies from city to city. As big cities offer ample job opportunities, they are in a position to offer high salaries to students.

Interior Designer Salary in India by Experience Level

Interior design education offers golden paths to students. The typical monthly salary for interior design students depends on the experience level. 

Interior Designer Salary for Freshers after 0–1 Year Experience

Entry-level interior designer job profiles include junior architects, junior designers and consultants. The average annual salary for an interior designer at entry-level starts from 1.9 LPA.

Interior Designer Salary After 3–5 Years of Experience

As you gain some experience and reach mid-level positions, you can earn quite well. Common interior designer job profiles include; interior designers and team members. Their starting salary is 4.1 LPA to 4.9 LPA

Interior Designer Salary After 5–10 Years of Experience

Senior interior designers have better industry exposure and a strong portfolio. Lead designer, studio head, and exhibition designers are popular senior-level job profiles. They can get a salary package of 6.6LPA to 7.3LPA. However, high-profile companies can even offer high salary packages. 

Interior Designer Salary with 10+ Years Experience 

Those in top-level positions with over a decade of experience charge handsome salaries. An interior designer salary at top-level positions can go up to 7.3 LPA

Interior Designer Salary in India by Education & Qualification

Education qualification significantly makes an impact on the earning potential of an interior designer. To earn well, you need to enrol for a Diploma in interior design or get a professional graduate or postgraduate degree in interior design. 

Salary After Diploma in Interior Design

Diploma in Interior Design empowers students to master the key concepts of the interior designing field. With a Diploma in Interior Design, you can earn typically from 3 LPA to 5 LPA.

Salary After Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

Graduates B.Des interior design salary in India lies between 4- 6 LPA initially. The salary can scale faster as you gain better exposure. Similarly, salary after B.Sc. in interior design course is typically of the same range or higher depending on your experience and skillset.

Also Read: Why a B.Sc. in Interior Design Is the Smartest Career Move in 2026

Salary After M.Des in Interior Designing

A structured degree program like M.Des in Interior Designing helps you earn well in the long run. An M.Des salary in India varies widely, with fresher students typically earning 4-10 LPA. 

Diploma vs Degree Long-Term Salary Impact

If you get baffled by which interior design course to choose for better earning potential, the answer is right here. Courses like B.Des in Interior Design have more earning potential as compared to diplomas. 

When you consider long-term salary impact and better job security, degree courses often stand out. An interior design degree in India offers in-depth knowledge and real-time industry exposure. Diploma may give you quick entry, degree holders get an edge in terms of high salary packages. 

Interior Designer Salary in India by Job Role

Different interior designing roles offer different interior designer salary packages. Interior designers in these job profiles have different earning levels.

Residential Interior Designer

Depending on the volume of a project, a residential interior designer earns 3-8 LPA.

Furniture Designer

Furniture designers with extensive expertise can earn anywhere between 4-10 LPA.

Commercial Interior Designer

The average annual salary of a commercial interior designer starts from 5 LPA.

Interior Stylists

The starting salary of an interior stylist is 3 LPA.

Interior Designer Salary in India by Industry Type

Interior design in India has a bright future. With better job opportunities, salary spectrum and top-notch interior design education, multiple industries are unleashing the talent of interior designers. 

Architectural Firms 

Architectural firms hire interior designers to offer top-notch services to clients. The salary at architectural firms vary significantly with experience of interior designers. Freshers can typically earn 2.5 to 4 LPA. Salaries for mid-level and senior-level professionals are generally higher. 

Retailers 

The designing of retail outlets (small or big units) demands skilled interior designers to showcase their work. 

Interior Designer Companies 

Interior designer companies hire students from top-notch interior design institutes in India by offering them high salary packages. Average interior designer salary in India offered by top interior designer companies is 4.1 LPA to 4.5 LPA

Event Management 

Event management is a booming sector that needs interior designers who plan their layouts. In event management, freshers can earn 2 to 4 LPA. 

Interior Designer Salary in India by City

An interior designer salary in India varies based on location. Below is a breakdown of interior designer per month salaries for different cities. 

Location	Average Monthly Salary of Interior Designer
Mumbai	4.1LPA – 4.6LPA
Delhi NCR ( Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad )	4.2LPA – 4.6LPA
Bangalore	4.2LPA – 4.6LPA
Pune	4LPA – 4.4LPA

Interior Designer Salary – Full-Time Jobs vs Freelancing

The earning potential of an interior designer in a job varies from freelancing. The salary differentiation is often seen based on the nature of your work and industry experience. 

Full-Time Interior Designer Salary Structure

Full-time interior designers get a steady salary from their job role. These people are hired for a long-term basis or for high-end projects. 

• Freshers with 0 to 1 year experience can earn 20,000 to 30,000 per month.
• Mid-level interior designers with 4 to 9 years of experience can earn 3 to 4 LPA
• Senior-level Interior designers with more than ten years of experience can make up to 7 LPA or even higher.

Freelance Interior Designer Monthly Income

Freelancers typically earn from small and big projects. The starting average salary of a freelance interior designer in India can range from 50,000 to 1 lakh per project. As a freelancer, your salary will enhance with experience and high-profile projects. These people do not usually get fixed salaries.

 Who Earns More: Job vs Freelancing

The earning potential of an interior designer in a job is dependent on a fixed salary. However, with experience the salary of an interior designer enhances. A freelance interior designer charges on the basis of a project. So as a freelance interior designer, you may not have a static salary. 

Experienced freelancers are known to earn well as compared to a full-time interior designer. Depending on the project, these people can even earn in crores. 

Interior Designer Salary Abroad After Indian Courses

There is no denying to the fact that interior designers earn more in foreign countries. When you work as an interior designer abroad, you can get both a salary and career boost.

Interior Designer Salary in UK

The UK offers lucrative salaries to interior designers as they can earn £30,000- 50,000 annually.

 Interior Designer Salary in USA

An interior designer  in the USA can earn  $55,000- $85,000 annually.

 Interior Designer Salary in Canada

An interior designer salary in Canada ranges around $40k-$56k for entry-level roles. The experienced interior designers can earn up to $178,000

Interior Designer Salary in Australia

Interior designer salaries in Australia range from $50,000 for juniors to over $100,000 for experienced professionals. 

Interior Designer Salary Growth Timeline

An interior designer’s salary grows significantly on the basis of specialization, experience level and location. The average range for entry-level interior designers is low compared to mid and senior-level interior designers. 

When you gain experience and shift to higher job profiles, your salary significantly enhances. Moreover, the growth timeline of an interior designer salary in India is dependent on the type of interior design course. Degree courses generally aid in getting high-profile jobs with good salary packages. However, diploma courses offer low salaries as compared to degree courses. 

How to Enhance Your Salary as an Interior Designer? 

Salary structure is dependent on vital factors of experience and job role. However, with time you build a skillset and knowledge that can automatically help you grab high-profile jobs. 

Skill Upgradation and Software Mastery

Skill upgradation benefits you in the long run. As you move to high job profiles, your skillset and knowledge enhances. Moreover, learning certain software is also a key to land good interior designer jobs in India. 

Building a High-Value Design Portfolio

A strong portfolio is a mirror to your work. It showcases the kind of projects you have done till date and the skillset you possess. 

Freelancing Alongside a Full-Time Job

There is no wrong in taking freelancing projects alongside doing a full-time job profile. This can only add to your income stream. 

Networking Strategies

Building networks is a key to enhance your portfolio and get a strong credibility in the interior design market. By contacting well-known firms, you can get well-connected clients. 

Best Interior Designing Institute in India 

Choosing the right interior designer institute is the foundational step to build a strong career base. Your transition into a well-paying interior designer job profile is dependent on the interior design institute you choose. 

What to Look for in a Good Interior Design Institute? 

India offers best-in-class interior design education to aspiring candidates. However, the choices for a good interior design college can make you feel overwhelmed. The best way to choose a good interior design institute is by considering the factors including:

• Types of interior design courses offered
• Technical Skills Training 
• Placement Opportunities Offered by Institute
• Internship and Training Support Offered
• Expert Faculty Offering Hands-on Experience 
• Live Projects and Portfolio Development Focus 

 Why AAFT for Interior Designing Courses

AAFT Noida and AAFT Raipur are among the top interior design colleges in India. AAFT school of interior design offers a best-in-class interior design course to students aiming to make a career in this field. 

Industry-centric Curriculum 

AAFT follows an updated curriculum to train students with the basics of interior designing. The courses are designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical implementation. 

World-class Faculty 

What’s better than choosing an institute that promises to offer real-time knowledge from industry experts. 

Placement Opportunities 

AAFT Noida assures ideal placement opportunities to get well-deserved interior designer salary packages. Top companies visit campuses to place students for high paying roles. 

Future Career Prospects After Interior Designing Courses at AAFT

Modern day interior designers proudly stretch their skills by collaborating with architects, designers and big brands. The best thing about enrolling in an interior designing course is to seize numerous career opportunities in varied industries.

Residential Interior Designer 

As a residential Interior designer, you can enter the job arenas of a junior designer, design consultant or studio designer. 

Hospitality Interior Designer 

Hotels and restaurants depend on interior designers for strategic and management aspects. These types of industries actively hire professionals with M.Des in Interior Design.

Commercial Interior Designer 

Offices and co-working spaces need interior designers to design their workplaces. The salary prospect in these areas is often higher for interior designers. 

Retail Interior Designers 

Interior designer salaries in the retail sector are quite good. A diploma in interior design or B.Des in interior design help you excel in your career. 

Interior Styling 

If you are interested in media, advertising or photography roles, you can opt for this profession. 

Is Interior Designing a High-Paying Career in India in 2026?

Interior designing is an ever growing field. Several researches show that interior design in India is a flourishing career with better growth and earning potential. The year 2026 is expected to generate multiple jobs in interior designing. With the right kind of training and skills, you can build a rewarding career in this field. 

Future Ready Career Choices

Career opportunities of an interior designer in 2026 open  gates for aspirants to earn high salaries. When equipped with the appropriate interior design education, practical training and technical skills, future designers can have rewarding careers. With a right interior design course, you can earn high salaries. 

Interior Designer Salary FAQs