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Salary comparison

Interior Designers vs. Public Relations Specialists: Who Earns More?

Public Relations Specialistss out-earn Interior Designerss by $8K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Interior Designerss land at $67,190 and Public Relations Specialistss at $74,750. The education gap is real: interior designer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while public relations specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Interior Designerss is District of Columbia ($98,450); for Public Relations Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($102,740).

Interior Designers
Public Relations Specialists
Median salary
$67,190
$74,750
Hourly rate
$32.31/hr
$35.94/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$41,420
$44,110
Senior level (90th %)
$114,140
$135,150
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
71,500
283,380
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Arts & Media
Arts & Media
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Interior Designers median pay.

State
Interior Designers
Public Relations Specialists
District of Columbia
$98,450
$102,740
California
$80,230
$85,030
Massachusetts
$80,110
$79,660
Colorado
$78,390
$80,680
Washington
$76,570
$87,470
Illinois
$76,290
$76,380
New York
$75,580
$81,250
New Jersey
$74,020
$80,130
Connecticut
$67,330
$84,990
Oregon
$66,350
$74,900
Maryland
$65,070
$79,560
New Hampshire
$64,140
$73,280
Virginia
$62,560
$80,380
Delaware
$60,360
$76,120
Rhode Island
$58,100
$77,540

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Interior Designerss or Public Relations Specialistss?

Public Relations Specialistss earn more nationally. The median is $67,190 for Interior Designerss versus $74,750 for Public Relations Specialistss, a difference of $8K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Interior Designers or Public Relations Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Interior Designers or Public Relations Specialists?

Interior Designers typically requires bachelor's degree. Public Relations Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Interior Designerss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Interior Designerss at $98,450/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Interior Designers vs. Public Relations Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Interior Designerss earn $98,450 vs. $102,740 for Public Relations Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Interior Designers salary breakdownView →Full Public Relations Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Interior Designerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Public Relations Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a interior designersGuide →How to become a public relations specialistsGuide →