Understanding salary benchmarks is crucial when planning your next career step. Here's an updated overview of interior design salaries in Australia, highlighting typical ranges based on experience, role complexity, and industry demands:

• Graduate Interior Designer: $45,000 – $50,000
• Junior Interior Designer (1–3 years): $50,000 – $65,000
• Mid-weight Interior Designer (4–7 years): $65,000 – $80,000
• Senior Interior Designer/Project Lead (8–10 years): $80,000 – $110,000
• Associate/Senior Associate: $120,000 – $130,000
• Design Director: $130,000 – $180,000
• Design Manager: $90,000 – $120,000
• Senior Design Manager: $120,000 – $150,000
• FF&E Designer/Stylist: $65,000 – $90,000

*Salary may depend on discipline, location, qualifications, accreditations and network/ability to generate business.

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as an Interior Designer include:

• Mastery of design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp
• Knowledge of Australian Standards and Building Codes
• Expertise in sustainable and ergonomic design principles
• Strong conceptualisation and visualisation skills
• Exceptional client relationship and stakeholder management abilities
• The ability to balance creativity with practical execution
• A collaborative mindset to work seamlessly with architects, builders, and consultants

Interior Designers have diverse pathways for growth, including:

• Advancing from Junior to Senior Interior Designer roles
• Transitioning into Design Leadership or Studio Management
• Specialising in areas like sustainable design, lighting, or project management
• Moving into client-side project advisory roles
• Gaining accreditation with design bodies like the Design Institute of Australia (DIA)