We analyzed 14,400+ interior designer salary records, company salary data, job market trends, and industry research to understand the current state of interior designer salaries in India.
This comprehensive roundup covers the average salary of an interior designer, the highest-paying companies and industries, the most in-demand skills, the impact of experience on earnings, and the qualifications needed to build a successful career.
Interior Designer Salary Highlights
- The average salary of an interior designer in India is ₹4.4 lakh per year.
- Smartworks, IKEA, Bonito Designs, and HBA International are among the highest-paying companies for interior designers.
- The most in-demand skills include AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3Ds Max, Photoshop, and Space Planning.
- Engineering & Construction is the highest-paying industry, offering an average salary of ₹5.6 LPA.
- It typically takes 5 to 8 years to become a successful interior designer.
- Interior designers with 6 to 9 years of experience earn an average salary of ₹5.2 LPA, compared to ₹3.1 LPA for those with 1 to 3 years of experience.
What Is the Average Salary of an Interior Designer in India?
The average salary of an Interior Designer in India is ₹4.4 lakh per year, based on 14,400 salary records on AmbitionBox. The typical salary range is ₹4.2L/yr to ₹4.6L/yr for 1-9 years of experience.
Professionals with 1 to 9 years of experience typically earn between ₹4.2 lakh and ₹4.6 lakh per year. Entry-level designers with 1 to 3 years of experience earn an average of ₹3.1 lakh, while those with 3 to 6 years earn ₹4.2 lakh. Designers with 6 to 9 years of experience earn an average of ₹5.2 lakh annually.
The salary increases consistently with experience, with professionals earning nearly 68% more after 6 to 9 years than those in their first 1 to 3 years, showing how experience contributes to higher earning potential.
Which Companies Pay the Highest Salaries to Interior Designers in India?
Smartworks, IKEA, Bonito Designs, and HBA International rank among the highest-paying employers for interior designers in India. Smartworks offers the highest average salary across all experience levels at ₹7 lakh per year, followed by IKEA at ₹6.7 lakh and Bonito Designs at ₹6.2 lakh.
Besides these, several other companies also offer competitive salaries to interior designers across different experience levels:
- DesignCafe pays interior designers ₹5.1 LPA with 1 to 3 years of experience, ₹5.7 LPA with 3 to 6 years of experience, and ₹6.1 LPA with 6 to 9 years of experience.
- SKETS Studio offers ₹4.4 LPA for 1 to 3 years of experience, ₹5.3 LPA for 3 to 6 years, and ₹6.3 LPA for 6 to 9 years of experience.
- DLIFE Home Interiors provides ₹4.9 LPA to designers with 1 to 3 years of experience, increasing to ₹5.2 LPA for 3 to 6 years and ₹5.6 LPA for 6 to 9 years.
- Fabindia offers competitive salaries across all career stages, paying ₹4.8 LPA for 1 to 3 years, ₹5.3 LPA for 3 to 6 years, and ₹5.9 LPA for 6 to 9 years of experience.
- NoBroker, HomeLane, Livspace, Asian Paints, FineMake, and Fab Interiors also offer competitive salaries, ranging from ₹4.5 LPA for early career professionals to ₹5.6 LPA for designers with 6 to 9 years of experience.
Can Interior Designers Work Remotely?
Yes, Interior designers can work remotely. Such opportunities are becoming more common for designers as firms adopt digital design tools and online collaboration.
We have reviewed nearly 847 remote job opportunities for Interior designers worldwide on LinkedIn.
Remote work is common for tasks such as creating 2D and 3D designs, preparing layouts, selecting materials, and meeting clients online. However, interior designers also need to visit sites to take measurements, supervise installations, coordinate with contractors, and ensure the design is executed correctly.
On-site opportunities for interior designers globally are around 5065, and 515 opportunities in India according to LinkedIn job posts. However, you can also opt for 430 global hybrid job opportunities.
Additionally, we reviewed remote interior job listings on Naukri.com and found 158 opportunities, of which 31 were remote interior designer roles from India.
Overall, while remote work is possible for certain responsibilities, most interior design jobs follow a hybrid or on-site work model because successful project execution depends on regular site visits and client interaction.
How Many Years Does It Take to Become a Successful Interior Designer?
It typically takes 5 to 8 years to become a successful interior designer. This includes 2 to 4 years of formal education, followed by several years of hands-on experience, portfolio building, and working on real client projects.
While some designers start their careers after completing a 2-year diploma, a 4-year bachelor’s degree is the most common path. Many professionals spend an additional 1 to 3 years gaining practical experience before establishing themselves in the industry.
The timeline varies based on education, technical skills, project experience, and the ability to build a strong portfolio. Designers who continuously improve their skills and work on diverse projects often progress more quickly toward successful careers.
What Are the Most In-Demand Skills for Interior Designers?
According to industry trends and job market data, employers look for interior designers with a combination of technical, creative, and project management skills. The most in-demand skills include:
- AutoCAD: Used to create precise floor plans, layouts, elevations, and technical drawings for interior design projects.
- SketchUp: Helps designers develop 3D models and visualize interior spaces before construction begins.
- 3Ds Max: Used to create realistic 3D visualizations and animations that help clients understand the final design.
- Photoshop: Essential for editing presentations, creating mood boards, and enhancing design concepts with visuals.
- Architectural Design: Enables designers to plan functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces while considering structural and spatial requirements.
- Interior Designing: Covers space planning, furniture layouts, color schemes, lighting, and material selection to create practical interiors.
- Working Drawings: Involves preparing detailed construction drawings that guide contractors during project execution.
- VRAY: Used alongside 3D modeling software to produce photorealistic renders for client presentations.
- Interior Decoration: Focuses on selecting furniture, decor, fabrics, accessories, and finishes to enhance a space’s overall appearance.
- Space Planning: Helps designers optimize room layouts, circulation, and functionality to make the best use of available space.
- Building Codes and Construction Knowledge: Ensures designs comply with safety regulations, construction standards, and local building codes while supporting smooth project execution.
- Materials, Finishes, and Lighting: Enables designers to select suitable materials, finishes, and lighting solutions that improve both functionality and aesthetics.
- Sustainable Design: Involves using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient design practices to create environmentally responsible interiors.
- Communication and Client Management: Helps designers understand client requirements, present ideas clearly, collaborate with contractors, and manage client expectations throughout the project.
- Project Management and Budgeting: Allows designers to coordinate timelines, manage budgets, oversee vendors, and deliver projects on schedule.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become an Interior Designer?
To become an interior designer in India, you typically need a diploma, bachelor’s degree, or postgraduate qualification in interior design or a related field. While a formal qualification is the most common route, employers also value practical skills, a strong portfolio, and proficiency in industry-standard design software.
Some of the most recognized qualifications include:
- Diploma in Interior Design: A 1 to 2-year program that teaches the fundamentals of space planning, color theory, furniture design, materials, and design software. It is suitable for students who want to enter the industry quickly.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design: A 3- to 4-year undergraduate program covering interior architecture, building materials, lighting, construction, furniture design, CAD software, and project management. This is the most common qualification for professional interior designers.
- Postgraduate Degree or Master’s in Interior Design: Suitable for graduates who want to specialize in areas such as commercial interiors, sustainable design, furniture design, or interior architecture.
- Professional Certifications: Short-term certifications in AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3Ds Max, Revit, Photoshop, and VRAY help strengthen technical skills and improve employability.
- Portfolio and Practical Experience: In addition to formal education, employers expect candidates to have a portfolio showcasing design projects, internships, and hands-on experience in residential or commercial interiors. A strong portfolio often plays a key role in the hiring process.
Which Industries Hire the Most Interior Designers in India?
Engineering & Construction, IT Services & Consulting, and Real Estate are the top-paying industries for interior designers in India. Interior designers in Engineering & Construction earn an average salary of ₹5.6 LPA, while IT Services & Consulting and Real Estate each offer an average salary of ₹5.3 LPA.
Other industries hiring interior designers include:
- Retail: Average salary of ₹5.1 LPA.
- Internet: Average salary of ₹4.6 LPA.
- Architecture & Interior Design: Average salary of ₹4.6 LPA.
- Chemicals: Average salary of ₹4.5 LPA.
- Furniture & Furnishing: Average salary of ₹4.5 LPA.
- Financial Services: Average salary of ₹4.1 LPA.
- Education & Training: Average salary of ₹3.3 LPA.
Why Join ASDAV’s Professional Interior Design Certification Course?
The interior design industry offers excellent career opportunities, but employers look for candidates with practical skills and project experience. ASDAV’s Professional Interior Design Certification Course prepares you for real-world design careers through live training, hands-on projects, and expert mentorship.
With industry-focused learning, software training, and portfolio development, ASDAV helps you build the confidence and skills needed to succeed as an interior designer.
Why choose ASDAV’s Professional Interior Design Certification Course:
- Learn from experienced architects and interior designers.
- Attend 100% live, instructor-led online classes.
- Work on 20+ real-world case studies and practical projects.
- Master AutoCAD, SketchUp, Lumion, Revit, and Canva.
- Build a professional portfolio with residential and commercial projects.
- Receive placement assistance and career guidance.
- Learn in small batches with personalized mentoring.
- Get lifetime access to class recordings, templates, and learning resources.
- Earn an industry-recognized course completion certificate.
👉 Still don’t believe? Read our student stories.
Contact details:
- Address: 2014, Beverly Hills, Geeta Colony, Delhi, 110031
- Phone: +91-9217141316
- Email: hello@asdav.com
Jasmine Ahluwalia is a Licensed Architect, Interior designer, Global Vastu consultant and the founder of ASDAV.
She is a graduate of Scuola Master F.lli Pesenti, Politecnico di Milano, and brings strong global exposure through academic learning and professional design projects. Her background combines architecture, interior design, and applied design education.
Before founding ASDAV, Jasmine worked as an assistant professor at Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University Noida. Her research covers sustainable architecture, urban heat island reduction, and circular economy practices in construction. Her work has been published in Scopus indexed and peer reviewed journals as well. She also has strong international on-site experience from countries like Canada, Mauritius, UK, and many more.
Through ASDAV, she has trained more than 500 students across 25 cities. The ASDAV platform has 12+ instructors from IIT, SPA, CEPT and NID, and has delivered over 200 live learning sessions. Her mission is to bridge the gap between design education and real industry expectations, to deliver real growth for her students.
She designs spaces for a living, but her favourite project is designing careers.
