Construction & Real Estate Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Interior Designer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median interior designer salary in Des Moines, IA is $56,663 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$56,663
vs State Avg
+$1,848
vs National
$-4,927
Cost of Living
92%

Interior Designer Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median interior designer salary of $56,663, which is $1,848 above the Iowa state average of $54,815. Compared to the national median of $61,590, Des Moines pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Des Moines's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for interior designers in Des Moines spans from $31,280 at the 10th percentile to $99,360 at the 90th percentile — a $68,080 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,120, while senior interior designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $92,000. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Interior Designer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level interior designer earns around $33,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $92,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$33,120
$-2,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$57,960
$-5,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$92,000
$-8,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $31,280
25th Percentile $40,480
Median (50th) $56,663
75th Percentile $75,440
90th Percentile $99,360

Interior Designer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$58,511
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$54,199
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$52,967
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$51,736
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Interior Designer in Des Moines

Education

Most interior designer positions require a bachelor's degree. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Space PlanningAutoCAD/SketchUpColor TheoryMaterial SelectionProject ManagementClient Relations

Job Outlook

Nationally, interior designer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Interior Designer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open interior designer positions in Des Moines, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Interior Designer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Interior Designer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median interior designer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $56,663 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $61,590. Salaries range from $31,280 (10th percentile) to $99,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Interior Designer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $56,663, a interior designer in Des Moines earns approximately $27 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for interior designer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median interior designer salary of $56,663 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $54,815. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a interior designer salary of $56,663 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a interior designer in Des Moines? ▼
Most interior designer positions in Des Moines require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Space Planning, AutoCAD/SketchUp, Color Theory, Material Selection. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.