Interior Designers Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Interior Designers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA make a median of $78,660 a year, or about $37.82 an hour. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $136K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $68,039 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 70.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $79K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level interior designers (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K.Top earners bring in $136K or more - a $75K spread from bottom to top.
Interior Designers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $79K | +25% | 1,440 |
| District of Columbia | $79K | +25% | 530 |
| California | $77K | +22% | 8,360 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | +22% | 1,540 |
| Wyoming | $75K | +18% | 80 |
| New York | $74K | +16% | 5,590 |
| Maryland | $71K | +12% | 1,090 |
| Nevada | $69K | +8% | 600 |
| New Jersey | $67K | +6% | 1,510 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +6% | 1,330 |
| Virginia | $66K | +5% | 1,550 |
| Illinois | $66K | +4% | 2,680 |
| Pennsylvania | $65K | +2% | 2,140 |
| Oregon | $64K | +1% | 1,030 |
| Arizona | $64K | +1% | 1,550 |
Track interior designers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do interior designers make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $78,660 a year - that works out to about $37.82 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,990, and experienced interior designers can clear $136,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,023/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 71.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a interior designers salary go in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median interior designers salary is worth about $68,039 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do interior designers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.