Interior Designer Salary in Raleigh, NC
Interior Designers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $64,480 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,926 take-home, or $4,327 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median interior designer salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,558
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,998
- Medicare (1.45%)$935
- North Carolina income tax$2,064
- Take-home pay$51,926
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Interior Designer pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,480 | $19.46 | $33,599 | $2,800 |
| 25th percentile | $52,610 | $25.29 | $42,862 | $3,572 |
| Median (50th) | $64,480 | $31.00 | $51,926 | $4,327 |
| 75th percentile | $78,210 | $37.60 | $61,239 | $5,103 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,780 | $47.49 | $74,889 | $6,241 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $64,480 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median interior designer's $51,926 take-home pay has the buying power of $52,901 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.4× the national concentration of interior designer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for interior designers, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #21 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $78,390 | $63,977 | $65,239 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $79,720 | $64,913 | $64,774 |
| 3 | Nashville, TN | $69,770 | $57,913 | $60,115 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $80,150 | $62,397 | $58,987 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $78,810 | $64,273 | $57,834 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $81,480 | $62,297 | $57,541 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $76,570 | $59,052 | $57,002 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $72,490 | $56,687 | $56,654 |
| 21 | Raleigh, NC | $64,480 | $51,926 | $52,901 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
Interior Designer salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $64,370
Frequently asked questions
How much does a interior designer make in Raleigh, NC?
The median interior designer salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $64,480 a year, or about $31.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $52,610 and $78,210.
What is a interior designer’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $64,480 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $51,926 a year ($4,327 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,064 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a interior designer?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $67,190. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $52,901 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #21 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a interior designer afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median interior designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
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- Public Relations Specialist — $68,790
- Producer and Director — $67,460
- Graphic Designer — $61,700
- Coach and Scout — $42,180
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $37,150