How much does an interior decorator make ?

If the world of interior design sparks your interest, and you’re wondering how to become an interior decorator, you may find yourself pondering the earnings of an interior decorator. These professionals play a pivotal role in transforming spaces into aesthetically pleasing and functional areas that mirror the unique style and personality of each client. Whether it’s sprucing up a cozy residence or revamping a sprawling commercial space, interior decorators offer a plethora of services. These range from selecting the perfect pieces of furniture and decorative items to devising comprehensive layout plans and color palettes. Understanding the average interior decorator salary can help set realistic expectations for newcomers to the field.

So, how much does an interior decorator make and what exactly can one expect to earn in this creative field? And which factors influence the earning potential of an interior decorator? This article delves into these queries, shedding light on the most current data and insights.

Factors Influencing an Interior Decorator’s Income

Understanding the elements that impact your earnings as an interior decorator is essential for career planning. We’ll explore the three primary factors shaping an interior decorator’s salary: experience level, geographical location, and type of employment.

Experience Level

The amount of experience an interior decorator possesses significantly influences their income. Typically, a seasoned decorator commands a higher salary due to their extensive skills, industry knowledge, and established reputation. These professionals can tackle more sophisticated projects and draw in a larger clientele base. The IIDA’s Interior Design Compensation Report highlights that decorators with advanced degrees or additional certifications earn a median salary approximately $17,000 higher than those without such credentials.

Geographical Location

Geographical location plays a vital role in determining income levels. Factors such as the cost of living, demand for interior decorating services, and market competition vary greatly by region. 

Decorators in states with higher living costs, like New York and California, often enjoy higher earnings. On a global scale, countries known for their high living standards and robust design cultures typically offer more lucrative salaries. Nevertheless, enhancing your income can also be achieved through expanding your professional network, embracing online service offerings, or focusing on niche markets.

Type of Employment

The nature of your employment significantly affects your salary as an interior decorator. Whether you choose to be an employee, freelancer, or business owner, each path offers distinct advantages and challenges.

Employees often benefit from stable income, health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses, yet may find their work flexibility and autonomy limited.

Freelancers enjoy greater freedom in managing their projects and schedules but face the client acquisition and self-marketing management, alongside managing their taxes and operational expenses.

Business owners, while potentially earning the highest income, must dedicate considerable resources to the growth and sustainability of their ventures.

Average Salary Ranges for Interior Decorators

Exploring the financial prospects of interior decorators in the United States reveals that the average interior decorator salary hovers around $52,000 annually, translating to about $25 per hour. This figure, sourced from a variety of reliable data, offers a foundational understanding of what one might expect to earn in this field.

Yet, it’s important to acknowledge the broad spectrum of earnings within the profession. Individual salaries can diverge significantly based on a multitude of factors specific to each decorator’s situation.

For instance, ZipRecruiter outlines that salaries for interior decorators typically span from $58,000 to $83,000 annually. In a similar vein, Salary.com notes the average income for an entry-level position, akin to that of an interior decorator, stands at $52,331 yearly. However, the range for these starting roles usually stretches from $41,491 to $57,380.

Moreover, Indeed.com broadens the perspective by including both interior decorators and designers in its analysis, pinpointing the average salary at $69,924 per annum. This average can fluctuate dramatically, from as low as $43,878 to as high as $111,430 annually.

The takeaway here is the absence of a one-size-fits-all answer regarding an interior decorator’s earnings. Variables such as experience, geographic location, type of employment, educational background, and certifications all play pivotal roles in shaping income. Hence, conducting thorough research and drawing comparisons across different data sources is essential for a realistic and comprehensive understanding of potential earnings in the realm of interior decorating, including statistics on the average interior decorator salary.

How to Increase Your Earnings as an Interior Decorator

Boosting your income as an interior decorator requires distinguishing yourself from competitors and drawing in more clients. We’ll explore three strategic approaches to elevate your earnings: acquiring new certifications, packaging your services, and effectively marketing your business.

Earn a New Certification

Gaining a new certification is a proven method to enhance your earnings. Certifications not only elevate your credibility and trust with potential clients but also justify higher rates due to demonstrated expertise. The interior decorating field offers several prestigious certifications, including the Certified Interior Decorators International (CIDI), the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Achieving these certifications typically requires fulfilling educational prerequisites, gaining relevant experience, successfully passing an examination, and covering any associated fees.

Package Your Services

Packaging your services into comprehensive bundles or tiers presents an effective strategy to boost earnings. This approach enhances workflow efficiency, reduces operational costs, and facilitates upselling by providing clients with various options that offer escalating value. Service packages can be tailored to project size, type, or style, or categorized by the nature of the service such as consultation, design, implementation, or maintenance. Custom packages can also be crafted to meet the unique needs and preferences of your clients, adding a personalized touch to your offerings.

Market Your Business

Strategic marketing is key to increasing your interior decorating earnings. Effective marketing strategies enhance your visibility, extend your reach, and solidify your reputation within the industry, leading to an increase in leads, conversions, and referrals. Diverse marketing channels include developing a professional website or portfolio, engaging audiences through blogs or newsletters, leveraging social media, email, or video platforms, and employing paid advertising, SEO, or influencer collaborations. Additionally, platforms like Houzz or Foyr, as well as participation in networks, associations, or directories, can be invaluable. Word-of-mouth, client testimonials, reviews, or referrals also play an essential role in marketing your business successfully.

Conclusion

This article has provided insights into how much an interior decorator make in the US, highlighting that the interior decorator salary on average hovers around $52,000 annually. However, this figure can fluctuate significantly based on various factors including experience, geographical location, and the nature of employment. 

For those either contemplating a career in interior decorating or looking to advance their existing interior design business, this article aims to serve as a valuable resource, offering both information and motivation. The realm of interior decorating presents a fulfilling and imaginative career path, brimming with both opportunities and challenges.