Interior design salary: what the ads don't tell you about pay

What the job ad says vs what you should know

When you see an interior design salary in a job ad, it's usually a range. But what does that range mean against what other interior designers earn? The short answer: the typical full-time interior designer takes home about $1,692 a week, or roughly $87,984 a year. That's below the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (the line we call 100 on the Salary Index).

That puts interior design at index 81 — meaning the median pay is about 19% below the national benchmark. It's not the lowest-paying professional role (retail trade sits at index 76), but it's well below fields like professional services (index 115) or mining (index 155).

Where the numbers come from

The most reliable public source is the Australian Bureau of Statistics, via Jobs and Skills Australia. Their May 2025 survey of employee earnings and hours found interior designers (ANZSCO 2325) working full time earn a median of $1,692 per week. That figure excludes managers, part-timers, and juniors, so it's a clean look at the typical experienced designer.

But remember: that's before tax and before super. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so on top of that $87,984, your employer should be putting another $10,558 into super (if you're under the maximum contribution base of $270,830). Your take-home after tax and Medicare (assuming no HELP or other deductions) would be roughly $66,000 a year — but that's a rough estimate.

Reading a job ad with the index

Let's say you see an ad for "Interior Designer, $75,000 – $95,000 plus super". How do you know if that's fair?

• $75,000 annualised is index 69. That's well below the median (81) and closer to the national minimum wage (index 48) than to the professional average.
• $95,000 is index 88 — above the median but still below the national line of 100.

If you're in Sydney, where the state index is 101.2 (meaning the typical full-time worker there earns about $109,658), an offer of $95,000 (index 88) is below the local average. In Hobart (state index 88.6, or $96,008), that same $95,000 is almost exactly on the local line. Location matters, and the states page can help you compare.

Award coverage: the fine print

A lot of interior designers assume they're covered by an award that sets minimum pay rates. The reality is more complicated. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that if you have a bachelor degree in interior design and your role requires that qualification, you're likely award-free. That means your only legal minimum is the national minimum wage ($26.44/hr from 1 July 2026, index 48).

If you don't have a degree — say you hold a Certificate IV in interior decoration — you may fall under the Miscellaneous Award. The classification depends on your duties. The example given by the Fair Work Ombudsman: a stylist with a Cert IV is a Level 3 employee under that award. The actual minimum rate for that level is set by the award, which rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026, but it's still well below the median.

Some interior designers working in retail (e.g., a furniture store's in-house design service) may be covered by the Retail Award. Others doing structural redesigns might be covered by the Manufacturing Award if they're essentially draughtspersons. But the key takeaway: don't assume an award rate applies. Check your classification with the Fair Work Ombudsman or use their pay guides to see what your minimum should be.

Comparing offers across industries

Interior designers work mainly in professional services, construction, and retail. The industry you're in can affect pay. The industries page shows that professional services index is 115, while retail trade is 76. If you're designing for a high-end retail chain, your pay might be closer to the retail average than the professional average. If you're in a dedicated design consultancy, it's likely higher.

What about part-time or junior roles?

The median figure is for full-time workers. Part-time interior designers earn less per week, but hourly rates can be similar. Junior rates are set by the national minimum wage percentages: for example, a 20-year-old interior designer would get at least $25.83/hr (the adult minimum of $26.44 multiplied by the junior percentage for that age). Modern awards can set different junior rates, so check the applicable award.

The bottom line

When you're comparing interior design salary offers, use the index as a quick benchmark. The median sits at 81. An offer above 90 is good; below 70 is low unless you're entry-level or part-time. And remember: award coverage is patchy, so your minimum might be just the national minimum wage. Always ask about super (12% is mandatory from July 2026) and whether the salary is inclusive of super or plus super.

For a deeper dive into how the index works, see how the index works. And if you're looking at a specific state or territory, the states page has local benchmarks.

FAQs

What is the average interior design salary in Australia?

The median full-time interior design salary is about $1,692 per week, or roughly $87,984 a year before tax. That's below the national average for all occupations ($1,852/week). On the Salary Index, where 100 is the national line, interior design sits at about 81. Keep in mind this is a median — half earn more, half earn less. Entry-level or junior roles will be lower, and senior or specialised roles can be higher.

Are interior designers covered by an award?

It depends on your qualifications and employer. If you have a bachelor degree in interior design and your role requires that qualification, you are likely award-free — meaning only the national minimum wage and National Employment Standards apply. If you don't have a degree (e.g., a Certificate IV), you may be covered by the Miscellaneous Award at a classification based on your duties. Some interior designers working in retail or manufacturing may be covered by industry awards like the Retail Award or Manufacturing Award. Always check your specific situation with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How does the Salary Index help me compare interior design job offers?

The Salary Index converts a yearly gross salary into a number relative to the national line of 100. For interior design, the median is about 81. If you're offered $90,000, that's index 83 — slightly above the median. If you're offered $75,000, that's index 69. You can also compare by state: for example, an index of 81 in NSW (state index 101.2) means the offer is below the state average, while the same index in Tasmania (state index 88.6) would be closer to the local line. Use the index to see how an offer stacks up against the broader market.