Interior Designer Salary in India 2026: Pay Scale, Growth & Trends
Interior Designer Salary in India Explained
Interior design has evolved from a niche creative pursuit to a full-fledged professional career with strong income potential. As urban lifestyles change and people increasingly invest in personalised, functional spaces, the demand for skilled interior designers continues to rise across India. Naturally, aspirants exploring how to do an interior design course are equally curious about the interior designer salary in India and whether the profession offers long-term financial stability.
Understanding the salary of an interior designer in India is important before choosing any career path. While creativity drives this field, earnings are influenced by education, experience, location, and specialization. From residential projects to large-scale commercial developments, interior designers today enjoy diverse opportunities that translate into varied income levels.
This blog provides a detailed, realistic overview of the average interior designer salary, growth prospects, city-wise trends, and how the right education can significantly improve earning potential.
What Is the Average Interior Designer Salary in India?
The average salary of an interior designer in India varies widely depending on multiple factors, but the profession offers steady growth over time.
National Salary Range
- Entry-level designers: ₹2.5- 4 LPA
- Mid-level designers: ₹5- 8 LPA
- Senior designers & consultants: ₹10- 18 LPA or more (Source: Career360)
When broken down monthly, the interior designer salary per month typically ranges from:
- ₹20,000- 30,000 for freshers
- ₹40,000- 70,000 for mid-level professionals
- ₹1,00,000+ for senior designers (Source: Career360)
This means the interior design salary per month increases substantially with experience and project exposure.
Monthly vs Yearly Trends
Designers working on project-based or freelance models often earn higher annual income than those in salaried roles, especially when managing multiple clients simultaneously.
Interior Designer Salary Based on Experience
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels in interior design.
Fresher Salary
The starting salary for interior designer in India generally falls between ₹20,000 and ₹30,000 per month. Freshers typically work as junior designers, design assistants, or 3D visualizers.
2- 5 Years of Experience
Designers with a few years of hands-on experience earn ₹5- 7 LPA. At this stage, professionals handle independent projects, client meetings, and vendor coordination.
10+ Years: Senior Consultants
With extensive portfolios and industry reputations, senior designers and consultants can earn ₹15 LPA or more. The interior designing scope and salary in India at this level expands into consultancy, entrepreneurship, and large-scale project leadership.
(Source: Career 360)
Interior Designer Salary by Education & Qualification
Education significantly impacts earning potential in interior design.
Diploma Holders
A diploma in interior design salary typically ranges from ₹2.5- 5 LPA. Diploma holders often start earlier but may face slower growth compared to degree graduates.
Certificate Courses
Short-term certification programs offer limited salary benefits unless combined with strong portfolios and experience.
BSc Interior Design
The BSc interior design salary generally starts at ₹3- 5 LPA, with steady increments as skills develop.
Bachelor of Interior Design / B.Des
Graduates with a bachelor of interior design salary or B.Des interior design salary in India often enjoy better starting roles, earning ₹4- 6 LPA initially and scaling faster in the industry.
Overall, the salary outcomes for the interior design course improve significantly with structured degree programs.
(Source: Career 360)
Interior Designer Salary by Job Roles in India
Different roles within interior design offer different earning levels.
Residential Interior Designer
₹3- 8 LPA depending on project volume.
Commercial Interior Designer
₹5- 12 LPA due to large-scale office and retail projects.
Furniture Designer
₹4- 10 LPA, especially with custom and modular design expertise.
Interior Stylist
₹3- 6 LPA, popular in real estate staging and media.
Design Project Manager
₹8- 15 LPA, managing teams and timelines.
(Source: UpGrad)
If someone asks, what is the salary of an interior designer, the answer depends heavily on the role and responsibility level.
Interior Designer Salary in Top Indian Cities
Location plays a decisive role in salary.
Mumbai
The interior designer salary in Mumbai is among the highest in India, ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per month, driven by demand for luxury residential and commercial projects.
Bangalore
₹35,000- 90,000 per month, driven by corporate offices and startups.
Delhi NCR
₹30,000- 85,000 per month with strong commercial projects.
Pune
₹25,000- 70,000 per month.
Hyderabad & Chennai
₹20,000- 60,000 per month.
Overall, the interior designer salary in India per month is highest in metro cities.
(Source: Naukri.com)
Interior Designer Salary Abroad
Designers with global exposure earn significantly more.
- Middle East: ₹6- 12 LPA tax-free
- USA: $55,000- 85,000 annually
- UK: £30,000- 50,000 annually
- Canada & Australia: Comparable to Western standards.
(Source: Glassdoor)
An international portfolio can dramatically increase interior designer salary in abroad.
Factors That Influence Interior Designer Salary in India
Key factors include:
- City and market demand
- Specialisation (luxury, commercial, sustainability)
- Type of clients
- Strength of design portfolio
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3DS Max
- Years of experience
Together, these define the interior designing scope and salary in India.
Career Growth & Future Scope in Interior Designing
Interior design is expanding rapidly across:
- Real estate
- Hospitality
- Retail
- Co-working spaces
Freelancing, consultancy, and entrepreneurship offer unlimited earning potential for skilled designers.
How ITM Institute of Design & Media Helps You Build a High-Paying Career in Interior Design
Choosing the right institute plays a decisive role in determining not only how well you learn interior design, but also how successfully you transition into a well-paying professional role. ITM Institute of Design & Media (ITM IDM) has positioned itself as a career-focused design school that bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world industry requirements.
Industry-Oriented Curriculum Aligned with Market Demand
ITM IDM follows a curriculum that is regularly updated to match current industry practices. Students are trained in both residential and commercial interior design, ensuring they understand how real projects function. The course structure balances design theory with practical application, preparing students for the expectations of professional studios, real estate firms, and design consultancies.
Hands-On Studio-Based Learning
One of the strongest advantages of ITM IDM is its emphasis on experiential learning. Students work in well-equipped design studios that simulate professional work environments. Live projects, site visits, model making, and design simulations help students gain confidence in handling actual client briefs—an essential factor in securing higher-paying roles early in their careers.
Advanced Software and Technical Skill Training
High-paying interior design roles demand strong technical proficiency. ITM IDM trains students extensively in industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3DS Max, Revit, and rendering tools. This software-driven approach enhances employability and directly impacts salary potential, as employers prefer designers who can independently handle design visualization and technical drawings.
Strong Focus on Portfolio Development
A designer’s portfolio often determines job offers and salary packages more than academic scores. ITM IDM integrates portfolio development throughout the course, guiding students in creating professional-grade design presentations. By the time students graduate, they possess a comprehensive portfolio showcasing residential, commercial, and conceptual projects—giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
Expert Faculty with Industry Experience
Students at ITM IDM learn from faculty members who bring real-world industry exposure into the classroom. Their mentorship helps students understand practical challenges, client expectations, budgeting constraints, and execution realities—knowledge that directly contributes to faster career growth and better-paying opportunities.
Internships and Placement Support
ITM IDM maintains strong connections with design studios, architecture firms, real estate developers, and corporate design teams. Structured internships allow students to gain hands-on experience even before graduation. The ITM IDM placement support further assists students in securing roles that align with their skills and salary expectations.
Exposure to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai’s Design Ecosystem
Located in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai - India’s major commercial and design hubs - ITM IDM offers students unmatched exposure to premium projects, high-value clients, and large-scale developments. This geographical advantage plays a significant role in accessing better job opportunities and higher salary brackets.
Career Guidance and Professional Readiness
Beyond design skills, ITM IDM focuses on preparing students for professional success. Training in client communication, project presentation, time management, and entrepreneurship equips students to grow faster in the industry, whether they choose employment or independent practice.
Why ITM IDM Makes a Difference
By combining industry-relevant education, technical expertise, portfolio strength, and real-world exposure, ITM Institute of Design & Media helps students move beyond entry-level roles and build a high-paying, sustainable career in interior design.
Conclusion: How to Do Interior Design Course
Understanding how to do interior design course is the first and most important step toward building a successful career in this creative and rapidly growing field. Interior design today is not limited to decoration alone; it is a professional discipline that combines creativity, technical knowledge, problem-solving, and an understanding of human needs within spaces. With increasing demand from residential, commercial, hospitality, and retail sectors, trained interior designers are finding strong and consistent career opportunities across India and abroad.
To begin your journey, it is essential to choose the right course level - certificate, diploma, or degree - based on your academic background and long-term career goals. Students can opt for interior design courses after 12th from any stream, making the field accessible to a wide range of aspirants. Equally important is selecting an institute that offers practical training, industry-relevant software skills, portfolio development, and exposure to real-world projects.
Success in interior design does not depend solely on talent; it is shaped by structured education, hands-on learning, continuous skill development, and a strong professional portfolio. By following the right learning path and investing in quality training, aspiring designers can transform their interest in design into a rewarding, well-paying profession. With the right preparation and guidance, pursuing an interior design course can be the foundation for a creative, stable, and fulfilling career.
FAQs- Interior Designer Salary in India
1. What is the starting salary for interior designers in India?
The starting salary for an interior designer in India is ₹20,000- 30,000 per month.
2. How much does a qualified interior designer earn per month?
A qualified interior designer's monthly salary ranges from ₹40,000 to ₹1,00,000+, depending on experience.
3. Do interior design courses improve salary prospects?
Yes, professional courses significantly improve salary and growth opportunities in interior design.
4. Which city pays interior designers the highest salary in India?
Mumbai offers the highest interior designer salary in India due to premium projects.
5. Can interior designers earn more abroad?
Yes, an interior designer's salary abroad is substantially higher than in India.
