Construction & Real Estate Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Interior Designer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median interior designer salary in Columbia, SC is $55,431 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$55,431
vs State Avg
+$616
vs National
$-6,159
Cost of Living
90%

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

Columbia offers a median interior designer salary of $55,431, which is $616 above the South Carolina state average of $54,815. Compared to the national median of $61,590, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia's cost of living is 90% 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 Columbia spans from $30,600 at the 10th percentile to $97,200 at the 90th percentile — a $66,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $32,400, while senior interior designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $90,000. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Interior Designer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level interior designer earns around $32,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $90,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$32,400
$-3,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$56,700
$-6,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$90,000
$-10,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $30,600
25th Percentile $39,600
Median (50th) $55,431
75th Percentile $73,800
90th Percentile $97,200

Interior Designer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$64,670
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$61,590
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$58,511
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$56,663
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Interior Designer in Columbia

Education

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

Find Interior Designer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open interior designer positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Interior Designer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Interior Designer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median interior designer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $55,431 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $61,590. Salaries range from $30,600 (10th percentile) to $97,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Interior Designer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $55,431, a interior designer in Columbia earns approximately $27 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for interior designer pay? ▼
Columbia's median interior designer salary of $55,431 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $54,815. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a interior designer salary of $55,431 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a interior designer in Columbia? ▼
Most interior designer positions in Columbia 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.