16 of the Best Types of Interior Designer Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Interior Designer jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Interior Designer Jobs

• Director Interior Designer

  Salary range: $86,500 - $133,500

  A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.

• Freelance Interior Designer

  Salary range: $50,500 - $128,500

  The primary qualifications for a career as a freelance interior designer are a bachelor's degree in interior design and several years of experience. Many freelance interior designers work with an established company to gain experience and industry connections before moving into an independent role. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of this position may require creative problem-solving skills, experience with virtual design software like AutoCAD and Revit, the ability to use graphics editing software, and excellent time management skills. Clients prefer that you have experience with their type of project, so the more well-rounded experience you have, the more likely you are to stand out from other applicants.

• Senior Interior Designer

  Salary range: $72,500 - $105,000

  To become a senior interior designer, you typically need a degree or diploma in interior design, interior architecture, or a related field and relevant on-the-job experience. It is vital to have a working knowledge of design software programs such as PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator, and MicroStation. You should also understand how to integrate project requirements with architecture using a variety of media. Additional qualifications include the ability to work well on a team, manage junior designers, oversee tasks that you subcontract out, and develop working relationships with clients. You must have excellent communication, organization, and presentation skills, as well as strong creativity and the ability to take instruction, formulate design decisions, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Entry Level Interior Designer

  Salary range: $58,000 - $83,000

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

• Apprentice Interior Designer

  Salary range: $58,000 - $83,000

  Apprentice Interior Designer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Apprentice Interior Designer jobs pay between $58,000 (25th percentile) and $83,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Apprentice Interior Designer job searches, hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Independent Contractor Interior Designer

  Salary range: $58,000 - $83,000

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.

• Summer Interior Designer

  Salary range: $58,000 - $83,000

  Summer jobs are an integral part of American culture for students in their teens and beyond, but not all summer jobs are created equal. The difference between a great summer and an awful one can be the right job. According to Forbes, some good summer jobs for teens are camp counselor, golf caddy, nanny, food service, retail sales, and, of course, internships.

• Temporary Interior Designer

  Salary range: $58,000 - $83,000

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Interior Designer Trainee

  Salary range: $58,000 - $83,000

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Virtual Interior Designer

  Salary range: $58,000 - $83,000

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Interior Designer Manager

  Salary range: $58,000 - $83,000

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Full Time Interior Designer

  Salary range: $58,000 - $83,000

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• On Call Interior Designer

  Salary range: $58,000 - $83,000

  When most people think of on-call jobs, medical professionals and first responders typically come to mind. For first responders, like firefighters and EMTs, on-call usually means you are sleeping at the station, ready to wake up and respond to a call quickly. Medical workers, on the other hand, may work a more traditional on-call schedule. While some nurses and doctors may sleep at the hospital, especially during their residency, you may also have an on-call shift where you can leave and go home, potentially never actually coming back. If you want a career as a nurse or doctor but do not like this unpredictability, rest assured that the chance of having on-call shifts decreases as you gain seniority and advanced qualifications. Repair workers like electricians may also work on-call. You may occasionally find on-call jobs in retail or customer service sectors, but this is not as common.

• Junior Interior Designer

  Salary range: $45,500 - $65,500

  Junior Interior Designer is a common job search query. Most salaries for Junior Interior Designer jobs pay between $45,500 (25th percentile) and $65,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Interior Designer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Interior Designer Coordinator

  Salary range: $48,000 - $61,500

  Coordinators plan and schedule events, programs, or projects. In this position, you can work in a variety of industries, so your duties and the necessary qualifications vary by field. There are project coordinators who work in the construction, manufacturing, and development industries, program coordinators, who typically work in education, community outreach, or non-profit organizations, and numerous other positions that require significant coordination experience. For those who work in labor industries, coordination might include developing timetables and budgets for the ordering and delivery of materials or services, while at a school, an instructional coordinator might prepare an afterschool program curriculum.

• Interior Designer Internship

  Salary range: $30,000 - $45,000

  The minimum qualifications for an interior design internship depend on the employer. Some require that you be a junior or senior student in your four-year degree program or your second year if you are attending a technical school’s two-year program. Many employers have a minimum GPA requirement. Being proficient with CAD, 3D, Microsoft Office applicants, and Revit is beneficial. Previous experience in a customer service or office position can help you stand out above other applicants. It also helps to have strong organization and communication skills as an intern.