Interior designers: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time interior designers in the UK earned a median £36,485 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): £2,554 below the all-jobs median of £39,039.
What the figures show
That puts it 175th of 382, in the middle third of occupations.
Median full-time pay: women £36,000 a year, men £38,150 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 19,000 employee jobs, 84% full-time.
Since 2021 it has risen 19.5%, from £30,540, slower than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 40,600 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | – | £528.40 | £13.49 | – | – | £13.34 |
| 20th percentile | £30,000 | £574.90 | £14.19 | – | £511.20 | £14.17 |
| 25th percentile | £31,328 | £589.90 | £14.46 | £26,951* | £536.90 | £14.43 |
| 30th percentile | £34,336 | £604.00 | £14.96 | £29,494* | £566.70 | £14.93 |
| 40th percentile | £35,081 | £636.00 | £16.15 | £33,525 | £604.00 | £15.86 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £36,485 | £660.20 | £16.58 | £34,962 | £648.20 | £16.52 |
| 60th percentile | £38,108 | £687.40 | £17.46 | £36,622 | £669.80 | £17.41 |
| 70th percentile | £39,928* | £737.90* | £18.95* | £38,722* | £712.90* | £18.42* |
| 75th percentile | – | £769.60* | £19.63* | – | £738.80* | £19.43* |
| Mean | £38,597 | £727.30 | £18.51 | £34,973 | £667.80 | £18.37 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £30,540 | £543.70 | £13.65 | £29,431 | £529.00 | 28* |
| 2022 revised | £36,067 | £590.00 | £14.74 | £34,862 | £574.90 | 20* |
| 2023 revised | £34,407 | £620.40 | £15.33 | £33,097 | £606.60 | 22* |
| 2024 revised | £35,189 | £631.70 | £15.98 | £33,816 | £614.20 | 22* |
| 2025 provisional | £36,485 | £660.20 | £16.58 | £34,962 | £648.20 | 19* |
Interior designers by region
UK: 40,600 (± 7,800), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What interior designers do
Interior designers plan, direct and undertake the creation of designs for interior spaces, procure materials and oversee implementation of the plans. (ONS SOC 2020, 3421)
Also covers: design consultant (interior design), interior decorator, interior stylist, kitchen designer, bathroom designer, design assistant, design consultant, designer (wallpaper), Décor designer, furniture designer, interior designer, kitchen planner, shopfitting designer, team leader, wallpaper designer, interior design assistant, interior design consultant and kitchen sales designer (19 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Liaises with client to determine the purpose, cost, and scope of the project, which may include the entire building or one room such as the kitchen or bathroom
- Prepares designs to meet the client's needs and draws up sketches for consideration by the client
- Advises on colours and the materials to be used,
- Establishes estimated costs, specifies materials and provides detailed drawing of the agreed design
- Sources fixtures, furniture and other necessary materials
- Hires staff and oversees project progress
Employers often require a relevant degree, although entry may be possible with a foundation course or HNC/HND.
Related
Design occupations (median £37,596) · Clothing, fashion and accessories designers · Design occupations n.e.c. · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026