How to Become an Interior Designer in Missouri (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Missouri employs about 1,010 interior designers earning a median $59,610 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most interior designers train through an approved program before entering the field in Missouri.

Compare Interior Designer Schools in Missouri

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
169.9Contact school for pricing$58,40782%—50 mi
255.0Contact school for pricing$52,95630%Yes*115 mi
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354.7Contact school for pricing$42,62832%Yes*84 mi
451.7$3,048 - $13,629$48,36924%Yes*116 mi
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545.8Contact school for pricing$50,12131%Yes*112 mi
645.5Contact school for pricing$40,789Not reportedYes*38 mi
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744.4Contact school for pricing$50,54540%Yes*121 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Missouri employs approximately 1,010 interior designers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,610 1. Nationally, interior designer employment is projected to grow 3.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an Interior Designer in Missouri, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school or community college
  • Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
  • Median wage (Missouri): $59,610 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become an Interior Designer in Missouri

How to become an Interior Designer in Missouri? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for interior designers in Missouri.

How long does it take? interior designer training length in Missouri varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do interior designers earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for interior designers in Missouri is $59,610 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,360 and experienced professionals can earn $103,440 or more 1.

How to Become an Interior Designer in Missouri

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Missouri training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved interior designer program in Missouri that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to interior designers in Missouri before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Interior Designer Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

Interior Designers Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), interior designers wages in Missouri vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Kansas City500$65,160$72,940$47,640$105,060
St. Louis470$61,570$69,320$47,040$101,860
Columbia80$67,780$61,360$44,150$74,290
Springfield80$52,090$59,370$43,530$79,370

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for interior designers in Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 1,010 interior designers 1. Nationally, interior designer employment is projected to grow 3.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Missouri.

How much do interior designers earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for interior designers in Missouri is $59,610, which is $3,880 below the national median of $63,490 according to BLS data 1.

In Missouri

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)