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LIVE · ONS ASHE 2025 SYNCED
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ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC TRADES N.E.C.▲ 65% /10yrBUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS N.E.C.▲ 60% /10yrFINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS▲ 55% /10yrASSEMBLERS (VEHICLES AND METAL GOODS)▼ 1% /10yrHIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING PROFESSIONALS▲ 5% /10yrSOFTWARE ENGINEER£55,000▲ 38% /5yrCYBER SECURITY ANALYST£62,000▲ 35% /5yr
SOC 3421Culture, media and sports occupations

Interior designers Salary

QUOTE · INTERIOR DESIGNERSUK · 2025
£34,962
▼ 10% vs UK median (£39,039)
2021–2025 median▲ 19%

Median salary £34,962 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £35,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For interior designers, £36,485 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -7.0% versus the national average.

WINDOW: PROFILE

About this role

Interior designers plan and design interior spaces for residential, commercial, hospitality and public buildings. They select materials, furniture, lighting and colour schemes to create functional and aesthetically pleasing environments that meet client requirements and building regulations.

Key responsibilities

  • Consulting with clients on design requirements and budgets
  • Developing interior design concepts and mood boards
  • Producing detailed plans, elevations and specifications
  • Selecting and specifying materials, furniture and finishes
  • Managing projects from concept through to installation

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in interior design or interior architecture. BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) membership is the professional standard. SBID (Society of British & International Design) accreditation is also recognised.

Career outlook

Demand is linked to construction and refurbishment activity. Hospitality, workplace design and high-end residential offer strong opportunities.

Key skills

Space planningMaterial specificationCAD and visualisation softwareColour theoryClient management

Common industries

  • Interior design practices
  • Architecture firms
  • Hospitality
  • Retail design
  • Residential development

Data coverage

SOC code3421
Data sourceONS ASHE
Years available2021–2025
Estimated jobs18,000
WINDOW: DATA
Mean Salary
£34,973
Top 10% Earn
N/A
Jobs (000s)
18k
Data Years
5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: --P25: £27kMedian: £35kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£26,951

0-2 years

Mid Level

£26,951

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Nominal growth: +18.8%Real growth: -3.9%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 3.7%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees
£34,962
Full-time Only
£36,485

Full-time premium: +£1,523

WINDOW: FAQ

Interior designers salary: common questions

How much do interior designers earn in the UK?
Interior designers earn a median of £36,485 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).
Is £36,485 a good salary in the UK?
For interior designers, £36,485 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -7.0% versus the national average.
What is the starting salary for interior designers?
Entry-level interior designers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £26,951, though this varies by employer and region.
Have interior designers salaries kept up with inflation?
Since 2021, median interior designers pay has risen from £30,540 to £36,485 — +19% in cash terms, or -3.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.
Is there a gender pay gap for interior designers?
Male interior designers earn a median £36,057 and female interior designers £34,731 — a gap of +4.0% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).

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