Construction & Real Estate Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Interior Designer Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median interior designer salary in Durham, NC is $58,511 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$58,511
vs State Avg
+$1,848
vs National
$-3,079
Cost of Living
95%

Interior Designer Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median interior designer salary of $58,511, which is $1,848 above the North Carolina state average of $56,663. Compared to the national median of $61,590, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% 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 Durham spans from $32,300 at the 10th percentile to $102,600 at the 90th percentile — a $70,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $34,200, while senior interior designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $95,000. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Interior Designer Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level interior designer earns around $34,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $95,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$34,200
$-1,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$59,850
$-3,150 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$95,000
$-5,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $32,300
25th Percentile $41,800
Median (50th) $58,511
75th Percentile $77,900
90th Percentile $102,600

Interior Designer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$60,358
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$60,358
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$54,199
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$52,967
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Interior Designer in Durham

Education

Most interior designer positions require a bachelor's degree. Durham and the surrounding North Carolina 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 Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Interior Designer Jobs in Durham

Browse open interior designer positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Interior Designer Salary in Durham

How much does a Interior Designer make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median interior designer salary in Durham, North Carolina is $58,511 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $61,590. Salaries range from $32,300 (10th percentile) to $102,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Interior Designer make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $58,511, a interior designer in Durham earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for interior designer pay? ▼
Durham's median interior designer salary of $58,511 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $56,663. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a interior designer salary of $58,511 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a interior designer in Durham? ▼
Most interior designer positions in Durham 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.