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Interior Design Experience Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Experience leading high-profile residential or commercial design projects * Strong leadership ... Residential Interior Design * Leadership Skills * Project Management * Communication Skills

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Director of Interior Design

San Francisco, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role is ideal for an experienced interior designer who is excited to help build Thuma's interior design capability from the ground up. The ideal candidate combines exceptional taste with a bias ...

This role is ideal for an experienced interior designer who is excited to help build Thuma's interior design capability from the ground up. The ideal candidate combines exceptional taste with a bias ...

Director of Interior Design

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$175 - $200/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role is ideal for an experienced interior designer who is excited to help build Thuma's interior design capability from the ground up. The ideal candidate combines exceptional taste with a bias ...

Director of Interior Design

San Francisco, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role is ideal for an experienced interior designer who is excited to help build Thuma's interior design capability from the ground up. The ideal candidate combines exceptional taste with a bias ...

Interior Design Coordinator

Aliso Viejo, CA · On-site

$28 - $32/hr

  • Medical

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related discipline * 2-5 years of interior design experience * Proficiency in SketchUp and AutoCAD, with the ability to independently develop ...

Interior Design Sales Professional

Corte Madera, CA · On-site

$200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Interior design experience or degree preferred * Strong communication and people skills * Comfortable juggling multiple projects in a busy setting * Weekend/holiday availability Benefits Benefits are ...

Interior Design Sales Professional

Corte Madera, CA

$200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Interior design experience or degree preferred * Strong communication and people skills * Comfortable juggling multiple projects in a busy setting * Weekend/holiday availability Benefits Benefits are ...

Interior Design Sales Professional

Corte Madera, CA · On-site

$200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Interior design experience or degree preferred * Strong communication and people skills * Comfortable juggling multiple projects in a busy setting * Weekend/holiday availability Benefits Benefits are ...

Interior Design Sales Professional

Corte Madera, CA

$200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Interior design experience or degree preferred * Strong communication and people skills * Comfortable juggling multiple projects in a busy setting * Weekend/holiday availability Benefits Benefits are ...

Interior Design Sales Professional

Corte Madera, CA · On-site

$200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Interior design experience or degree preferred * Strong communication and people skills * Comfortable juggling multiple projects in a busy setting * Weekend/holiday availability Benefits Benefits are ...

Interior Design Sales Professional

Corte Madera, CA

$200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Interior design experience or degree preferred * Strong communication and people skills * Comfortable juggling multiple projects in a busy setting * Weekend/holiday availability Benefits Benefits are ...

Interior Designer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$40 - $60/hr

Key Responsibilities Client Experience * Guide clients through interior design selections, including finishes, fixtures, cabinetry, lighting, and furnishings. * Build trusted client relationships ...

The Senior Interior Designer is an integral member of a project team, working on all phases of ... Experience in Healthcare, Science and Technology, and/or Workplace design projects of scale.

Interior Design Coordinator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$71K - $103K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This is an intermediate-level Interior Design Coordinator role with minimum 2 years of experience. You will support the interior design team and work collaboratively with the architectural team ...

Interior Design Coordinator

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$62K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This is an junior-level Interior Design Coordinator role with minimum 2 years of experience. You will support the interior design team and work collaboratively with the architectural team ...

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Showing results 1-20

Interior Design Experience information

See California salary details

$13

$25

$40

How much do interior design experience jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for interior design experience in California is $25.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.71 and $27.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is interior design experience?

Interior design experience refers to the knowledge and practical skills gained from working in the field of interior design. This includes understanding space planning, color theory, materials, lighting, and client communication. Professionals with interior design experience are adept at creating functional and aesthetically pleasing environments that meet client needs and adhere to safety codes. Experience can be gained through formal education, internships, or working on real projects under supervision.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an interior designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Interior Designer, you need a solid understanding of design principles, spatial planning, color theory, and typically a degree in interior design or a related field. Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, as well as knowledge of building codes, is highly valued and sometimes required. Strong communication, creativity, and project management skills help professionals collaborate with clients and contractors while bringing innovative solutions to life. These skills are essential for translating client visions into functional, aesthetically pleasing environments while ensuring compliance and smooth project execution.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals with interior design experience when working on client projects?

One common challenge for those with interior design experience is managing client expectations while balancing budget and timeline constraints. Designers often need to creatively problem-solve when sourcing materials or adapting initial concepts to fit unforeseen limitations. Effective communication and collaboration with contractors, vendors, and clients is essential to overcome logistical hurdles and ensure the project stays aligned with the client’s vision. Additionally, staying updated on design trends and building codes helps deliver both aesthetic and functional results.

What is the difference between Interior Design Experience vs Interior Decorating Experience?

AspectInterior Design ExperienceInterior Decorating Experience
CredentialsOften requires formal education or certification in interior designTypically does not require formal credentials
Work EnvironmentInvolves space planning, technical drawings, and project managementFocuses on selecting furnishings, colors, and decor
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by design firms, architects, and commercial projectsCommon in retail, residential, and personal projects

Interior Design Experience encompasses a broader skill set including space planning, technical drawings, and project management, often requiring formal education. Interior Decorating Experience mainly involves selecting decor and furnishings without the technical or planning aspects. Both roles are related but serve different functions within the industry.

How can I get experience in interior design?

To gain experience in interior design, individuals can pursue internships, entry-level positions, or assist experienced designers to build practical skills. Developing proficiency in design software like AutoCAD or SketchUp and earning relevant certifications can also enhance job prospects.
Infographic showing various Interior Design Experience job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,007 per year, or $25 per hour.

Director of Interior Design

Jobtailor

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

  • Establish and lead Thuma’s interior design practice
  • Define design principles for creating Oasis across every customer touchpoint
  • Serve as the company’s interior design expert and trusted partner across the organization
  • Build scalable interior design standards, principles, and best practices
  • Lead interior design direction for significant Retail, Trade, Contract, and B2B projects
  • Partner with stores on complex customer projects and deliver design solutions
  • Personally lead high-impact design engagements
  • Develop interior design training, tools, and best practices with Store Operations
  • Support retail teams in guiding customers to create thoughtful, cohesive homes
  • Support new store openings and key initiatives with interior design expertise
  • Shape the interior design direction of catalogs, photography, web imagery, marketing campaigns, and brand content
  • Collaborate on photoshoots and creative productions
  • Partner across Merchandising, Product Development, Retail, and Brand on key initiatives
  • Influence product presentation, storytelling, and customer experiences
  • Build an interior design capability that supports Thuma’s long-term growth
Requirements
  • 8–10+ years of experience in residential interior design, hospitality, luxury retail, or a design-led consumer brand
  • Exceptional taste and deep understanding of furniture, lighting, textiles, art, materials, styling, and home design
  • Experience leading high-profile residential or commercial design projects
  • Strong leadership skills and ability to influence cross‑functional teams
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Highly organized and comfortable balancing strategic initiatives with hands‑on execution
  • Entrepreneurial mindset and desire to build a new function from the ground up
  • Exceptional taste and attention to detail
  • Customer-first mindset
  • Collaborative and low ego
  • Comfortable moving between strategy and execution
  • Thrives in an entrepreneurial, fast-moving environment
  • Leads through influence, creativity, and strong cross‑functional partnerships
Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive experience in residential interior design and the ability to lead high-profile projects while establishing design principles and standards. Possesses strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills to influence cross‑functional teams and drive strategic initiatives.

Highest-signal resume keywords
  • Residential Interior Design
  • Leadership Skills
  • Project Management
  • Communication Skills
  • Customer-First Mindset
ATS Optimization KeywordsHard Skills
  • Interior Design Principles
  • Furniture Knowledge
  • Lighting Design
  • Textile Expertise
  • Art and Material Selection
  • Styling Techniques
  • Design Project Leadership
  • Design Training Development
  • Retail Design Solutions
  • Brand Content Direction
Soft Skills
  • Collaboration
  • Organizational Skills
  • Entrepreneurial Mindset
  • Attention to Detail
  • Creativity
Industry Keywords
  • Luxury Retail
  • Hospitality Design
  • Consumer Brand
  • B2B Design Projects
  • Customer Experience
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