Interior Designer Salary in India (2026): Average Salary, Top Recruiting Companies and Institutes
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Interior Design is all about creating safe, functional, and aesthetically charming spaces. It is not just about choosing wall colors and furniture. It's more than that in today’s world. There is a rapid demand for interior designers, as in past decades we have seen a tremendous increase in cafes, bakeries, skyscrapers, high-rise buildings, and work stations, etc. So Interior Designer is a very lucrative job in India. But how much do Interior Designers earn is the actual question? Let’s explore with this article. This article will provide you with the salary, pay scale, top colleges, etc.
Interior Designer Salary
An Interior Designer is a person who plans, designs and furnishes commercial, residential and public places. The main focus is on creating a structure that is pleasing, functional and safe for people. They also consider factors like space, lighting, materials, customer preferences, etc. The common role of an Interior Designer is conceptualization, 3D visualization, sustainability, etc.
- Average Salary of an Interior Designer in 2026 based on City
- Average Salary of an Interior Designer in 2026 based on the Experience Level
- Factors Affecting Interior Designer Salary in India
- Skills for Interior Designing
- Top Companies Hiring Interior Designers in India (2026)
- Top Interior Design Colleges in India in 2026
- Interior Design Colleges and Eligibility
- Interior Design Specializations
Average Salary of an Interior Designer in 2026 based on City
The salary of an interior designer differs from one city to another. It depends on the cost of living in a city. For instance, the cost of living in Mumbai and Bangalore is higher compared to Noida and Delhi, so the average salary of a person working in Mumbai or Bangalore will be higher as compared to that one living in Delhi and Noida. Salaries are also higher in metro cities because there are more clients, large scale projects and high demand, high rate of infrastructural growth, etc.
Check out the salary for different cities.
| City |
Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Mumbai |
Rs. 30,000 - 1,50,000 |
| Delhi NCR |
Rs. 25,000 - 1,20,000 |
| Bangalore |
Rs. 25,0000 - 1,00,000 |
| Hyderabad |
Rs. 20,000 - 80,000 |
| Tier 2 Cities |
Rs. 15,000 - 50,000 |
Also Read: Accessory Designer Salary in India: Average Salary based on Experience, Location and Job Roles
Commonly asked questions
The NIFT Situation Test is a hands-on test that B. Des candidates need to appear in after qualifying the written exam. During the Situation Test the candidate has to make a model. Note that the material for making the model will be provided to the candidate inside the exam hall; no other material expect that provided to the candidate is allowed. So, candidates appearing in the Situation Test must not bring any additional materials for the Situation Test. The Situation Test will be evaluated on the spot. It is mandatory for the candidate to draft a write-up explaining the model.
UCEED exam will be conducted for a duration of 3 hours from 9 am - 12 noon. On the day of exam, the candidate needs to report at the exam centre at least 2 hours before exam commences. Candidate will have to report at 7 am. No candidate will be allowed entry inside the exam hall once the exam commences. So, the candidate must be punctual about reaching the UCEED exam venue.
Average Salary of an Interior Designer in 2026 based on the Experience Level
Salary of an interior designer is also dependent on the experience level of a person. If a person is experienced, he is likely to be paid more and demanded more in the market than a person with less experience.
| Experience Level |
Experience years |
Average Monthly Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher |
0 - 2 years |
15,000 - 30,000 |
| Mid-Level |
2 - 5 years |
35,000 - 60,000 |
| Senior |
5+ years |
70,000 - 1,20,000 |
| Freelance |
- |
1,00,000 - 3,00,000 |
Factors Affecting Interior Designer Salary in India
Factors that play a major role in deciding the salary of an Interior Designer are here.
- If a person has experience of 2 to 5 years, he is likely to earn an average salary of 35,000 to 60,000. A person with more experience has higher chances of earning compared to someone with less experience.
- The location of a job also matters. Interior designers based in metro cities have chances of earning more as compared to tier 2 cities because there are more projects and demand.
- An interior designer should have skills like good communication, sketching, problem-solving, Sustainability awareness, etc. He should know the latest software, like AutoCAD, SketchUp, etc. A person with skills will have more pay and demand in market.
- If an interior designer has gained education from a reputed college with an appropriate specialization, he/she is likely to earn a higher salary. A B.Des specialization or M.Des specialisation is required to have a good job with good pay.
- A person with a strong portfolio is likely to get a higher salary. A good portfolio should show all projects and skills clearly and gain clients' trust.
- If a person has specialization in luxury interiors, sustainability or commercial spaces, they will receive more pay.
- Freelancers and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to earn more than full-time interior designers. But the job of freelancers and entrepreneurs is risky and fluctuates a lot.
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Skills for Interior Designing
Some of the skills that an interior designer must have are creative skills, technical skills, business skills and a few personal skills like good observation, communication, etc.
| Category | Skill | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Creative & Design | Spatial Planning | Designing functional, well-flowing room layouts |
| Color Theory | Choosing and combining palettes effectively | |
| Design Principles | Balance, proportion, harmony, and visual composition | |
| Material & Furniture Selection | Choosing textiles, finishes, and furnishings that fit the concept | |
| Lighting Design | Balancing natural and artificial light for mood and function | |
| Sketching/Rendering | Communicating ideas visually, by hand or digitally | |
| Technical | CAD Software |
AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, 3ds Max for drafting and modeling
|
| Technical Drawings | Reading/creating floor plans, elevations, sections | |
| Building Codes |
Knowledge of safety, zoning, and accessibility (e.g., ADA) regulations
|
|
| Construction Knowledge | Understanding materials, structures, and build methods | |
| Sustainable Design | Eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient practices | |
| Business | Client Communication | Understanding needs and translating them into design |
| Budgeting | Cost estimation and financial planning for projects | |
| Project Management | Coordinating timelines, vendors, and contractors | |
| Negotiation | Working with suppliers and contractors on pricing/terms | |
| Sales & Presentation | Pitching concepts and closing client deals | |
| Personal Traits | Attention to Detail | Precision in execution and finishing |
| Creativity + Practicality | Balancing aesthetics with real-world constraints | |
| Adaptability | Adjusting to trends, budgets, and client tastes | |
| Time Management | Handling multiple projects and deadlines |
Top Companies Hiring Interior Designers in India (2026)
Some of the companies that recruit in the interior designing industry in India are.
- Livspace
- Pepperfry
- Ikea
- Urban Ladder
- Asian Paints
- Studio Lotus
- Homelane
Top Interior Design Colleges in India in 2026
Some of the top interior design colleges in India are.
- National Institute of Design
- Pearl Academy – Delhi and Mumbai
- Shrishti Manipal Institute, Bangalore
- Arch College of Design and Business, Jaipur
- Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai
- Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad
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Interior Design Colleges and Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for some of the top Interior Design colleges in India -
| Interior Design Course Levels | Top Colleges | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| BDes in Interior Design | Lovely Professional University |
|
| Amity University Noida |
|
|
| Pearl Academy |
|
|
| IMS Design and Innovation Academy |
|
|
| World University of Design |
|
|
| MDes in Interior Design | Amity University Noida |
|
| Pearl Academy |
|
|
| World University of Design |
|
|
| KIIT School of Architecture and Planning |
|
|
| JECRC University |
|
|
| Diploma in Interior Design | JD Institute of Fashion Technology |
|
| IMS Design and Innovation Academy |
|
|
| Fergusson College |
|
|
| INSD Pune |
|
|
| Netaji Subhas Open University |
|
|
| Certificate in Interior Design | NIFT Delhi |
|
| Pearl Academy |
|
|
| IMS Design and Innovation Academy |
|
|
| BBK DAV College for Women |
|
|
| Parul University |
|
Interior Design is overall a rewarding job in India and is growing rapidly due to urbanization and real estate development. People are more aware of the environment and want aesthetically soothing interiors with eco-friendly and other modern designs. With the right blend of knowledge and skill, this job can give financial and job satisfaction to people.
Interior Design Specializations
- Residential design
- Commercial design
- Hospitality design (hotels, resorts, spas)
- Healthcare design
- Institutional and educational design
- Retail and showroom design
- Office and workplace design
- Kitchen and bath design
- Lighting design
- Furniture and product design
- Space planning
- Sustainable (green) design
- Exhibition and event design
- Set design (film, TV, theatre)
- Interior styling and décor
- Universal and accessible design
- Landscape and outdoor space design
- Heritage and restoration design
- 3D visualization and rendering
- Luxury and bespoke interiors
Also Read:
| Graphic Designer Salary in India 2026 | Design Sketching | Interior Design Admission |
Sayeba Naushad is a commerce postgraduate from Banaras Hindu University. She has over five years of experience in content writing and editing. She has a nose for current events in design field. At Shiksha.com, she s
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