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Graduate Interior Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Interior Designer

New York, NY ยท On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Interior Designer New York City | In-Studio S9 Architecture is seeking an Interior Designer with ... graduate professional interior design experience * Degree in Interior Design or related design ...

Interior Designer

New York, NY ยท On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Interior Designer New York City | In-Studio S9 Architecture is seeking an Interior Designer with ... graduate professional interior design experience * Degree in Interior Design or related design ...

Interior Designer

New York, NY ยท On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Interior Designer New York City | In-Studio S9 Architecture is seeking an Interior Designer with ... graduate professional interior design experience * Degree in Interior Design or related design ...

To continue their growth, their NYC studio is seeking creative Interior Designers with 2-4 years of post-graduate experience with creative and technical knowledge, skilled at developing concepts and ...

Interior Designer

Minneapolis, MN ยท On-site

$28 - $31/hr

... Designer that will support ongoing construction operations within a local VA healthcare facility ... Graduate of a four-year college degree program in interior design or related field. If applicants ...

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Graduate Interior Designer information

See salary details

$30.5K

$72.8K

$108K

How much do graduate interior designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate interior designer in the United States is $72,849.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $83,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate interior designer?

Graduate interior designers are recent graduates who have completed a degree in interior design or a related field and are beginning their professional careers. They typically work under the guidance of senior designers or architects, assisting with the planning, design, and implementation of interior spaces. Their duties may include creating design concepts, preparing drawings and presentations, sourcing materials, and collaborating with clients and contractors. This role helps them gain practical experience and develop the skills necessary for advancement in the interior design industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate interior designer?

To thrive as a Graduate Interior Designer, you need a degree in interior design or a related field, a strong portfolio, and foundational knowledge of design principles and spatial planning. Familiarity with technical tools such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, effective communication, and teamwork are essential soft skills for collaborating with clients and colleagues. These skills and qualifications are crucial for delivering innovative, functional designs and ensuring successful project outcomes in a competitive industry.

What are some common challenges faced by graduate interior designers when starting out in the industry?

Graduate interior designers often face the challenge of transitioning from academic projects to real-world client expectations, which can involve tight deadlines, budget constraints, and adapting to evolving project requirements. Collaborating with senior designers, architects, and contractors requires strong communication and teamwork skills. Additionally, building a portfolio and gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard software are important for career progression. Embracing feedback and staying open to learning are key to overcoming these early-career hurdles.

What is the difference between Graduate Interior Designer vs Interior Designer?

AspectGraduate Interior DesignerInterior Designer
QualificationsTypically holds a bachelor's degree in interior design or related field; may have limited professional experienceUsually has completed education and gained some professional experience; may hold certification or licensure depending on region
Work EnvironmentAssists senior designers in project tasks; works in design studios, architectural firms, or interior design companiesManages design projects independently or collaboratively; works in similar environments with increased responsibility
Job ResponsibilitiesSupports design development, drafting, and research; learning industry standardsDevelops design concepts, prepares presentations, and oversees project execution

The main difference between a Graduate Interior Designer and an Interior Designer lies in experience and responsibility. Graduate Interior Designers are typically in the early stages of their careers, focusing on learning and supporting projects, while Interior Designers have more experience and handle projects more independently.

How to do interior design after graduation?

To pursue a career as a graduate interior designer, gain practical experience through internships or entry-level positions, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your work, and obtain relevant certifications such as NCIDQ if required in your region. Proficiency in design software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, or Revit is essential, and continuous learning about current trends and building codes enhances employability.

Is a master's degree in interior design worth it?

For a graduate interior designer, a master's degree can enhance skills, increase job opportunities, and potentially lead to higher salaries. However, practical experience, portfolio quality, and professional certifications often weigh more in hiring decisions than advanced degrees alone.
More about Graduate Interior Designer jobs

What cities are hiring for Graduate Interior Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Graduate Interior Designer job openings:

What states have the most Graduate Interior Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Graduate Interior Designer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Graduate Interior Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,849 per year, or $35 per hour.

Interior Designer

S9 ARCHITECTURE

New York, NY โ€ข On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

About S9 Architecture

S9 Architecture is a 55+ person design practice grounded in modern contextualism-believing that architecture must engage its cultural, social, and environmental surroundings with intelligence and care. Our work spans a broad range of project types throughout New York City and across North America, including multifamily residential (100% affordable, market-rate rental, and luxury condominium), mixed-use developments, office and workplace design, adaptive reuse and repositioning, and cultural and institutional projects.

We are an open studio that encourages conversation, curiosity, and shared growth. Design direction is led collaboratively by our leadership but evolves through meaningful input and disciplined contributions from all levels. We value teaching, mentorship, and supportive critique, and we operate as a meritocracy where thoughtful ideas and strong performance are recognized.

At our core, we believe architecture carries a profound responsibility to improve neighborhoods and enhance the daily lives of the people who live in, work in, and use our buildings. Many of our projects have been recognized for design excellence and for enriching the human experience.

We work in person, side by side, because design is a dialogue-and the studio is our shared classroom, workshop, and laboratory.

Interior Designer

New York City | In-Studio

S9 Architecture is seeking an Interior Designer with approximately 6-10 years of experience to join our growing interiors practice.

This role is ideal for a designer who is strong in space planning, materiality, concept development, visualization, and communication, and who is ready to grow quickly within a design-focused architecture studio. The Interior Designer will work closely with the Senior Interior Designer, Design Principals, and Project Managers to help shape interior environments that are fully integrated with S9's architectural and urban design work.

The position requires someone who can think creatively, communicate clearly, coordinate effectively, and help carry a design idea from concept through documentation and implementation. Revit proficiency is a plus, but this is first and foremost a design role, not a production or project architect role.

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Responsibilities

  • Develop interior design concepts, narratives, mood boards, finish palettes, and presentation materials
  • Contribute to space planning, furniture layouts, material selections, lighting concepts, and interior character
  • Prepare drawings, diagrams, renderings, finish schedules, and visual materials that communicate design intent
  • Coordinate with the Senior Interior Designer, Design Principals, Project Managers, consultants, vendors, and fabricators
  • Support FF&E research, selection, documentation, pricing, and coordination
  • Participate in client presentations, internal design reviews, material reviews, and project meetings
  • Assist in the coordination of millwork, finishes, fixtures, lighting, signage, and other interior elements
  • Participate in site visits and construction-phase reviews to help maintain design intent
  • Grow into increasing responsibility for defined areas of interior scope and junior team coordination

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Qualifications

  • 6-10 years of post-graduate professional interior design experience
  • Degree in Interior Design or related design field
  • Strong portfolio exhibiting relevant experience.
  • Strong graphic, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Working proficiency in Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, and Enscape.ย  Revit is a plus.
  • Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks, materials, vendors, and deadlines
  • Collaborative, curious, design-driven, and eager to grow

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Preferred:

  • NYC multifamily or mixed-use experience
  • Experience with FF&E, finish schedules, specifications, and vendor coordination
  • Ability to contribute to both high-level design thinking and day-to-day project execution
  • NCIDQ Certification

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What We Offer

  • Salary range $90K-$115K
  • Full benefits package
  • Mentorship from senior leadership
  • Exposure to complex NYC and North American projects
  • A design-focused, collaborative studio environment

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Why Join S9

At S9, interiors are not treated as decoration or an afterthought. They are part of a larger design narrative connected to architecture, place, materiality, and user experience. This is an opportunity for an emerging interior designer to work closely with senior leadership, contribute meaningfully to complex projects, and grow into a stronger design and coordination role within a collaborative studio.

To Apply: Please submit a resume and portfolio of work demonstrating and documenting independent work.ย  Submissions without a work sample will not be reviewed.

Salary range

The range above is a good faith estimate based on the expectations as laid out in the job description.ย  We are, however, often open to a wide variety of profiles and recognize that the person we hire may be less experienced (or more senior) than this job description as posted.ย ย If that ends up being the case, the actual salary may vary from the estimates provided above.

S9 Architecture is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ย All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.