How to Become an Interior Designer in New Jersey (2026)
New Jersey employs about 1,670 interior designers earning a median $74,020 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most interior designers train through an approved program before entering the field in New Jersey.
Compare Interior Designer Schools in New Jersey
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raritan Valley Community College | 69.8 | Contact school for pricing | $57,072 | 33% | Yes* | 20 mi |
| 2 | New York School of Interior Design | 52.9 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 68% | Yes* | 21 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
| 3 | Essex County College | 43.1 | $5,415 - $12,506 | $48,042 | 20% | Yes* | 11 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.
New Jersey employs approximately 1,670 interior designers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $74,020 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 New Jersey, 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 (New Jersey): $74,020 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an Interior Designer in New Jersey
How to become an Interior Designer in New Jersey? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for interior designers in New Jersey.
How long does it take? interior designer training length in New Jersey varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do interior designers earn in New Jersey? The median annual wage for interior designers in New Jersey is $74,020 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,890 and experienced professionals can earn $134,780 or more 1.
How to Become an Interior Designer in New Jersey
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New Jersey training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved interior designer program in New Jersey that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to interior designers in New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Interior Designers Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), interior designers wages in New Jersey vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 5,460 | $76,580 | $77,780 | $41,220 | $125,990 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 1,170 | $64,800 | $71,340 | $49,820 | $100,170 |
| Trenton-Princeton | 80 | $67,310 | $73,190 | $46,450 | $104,070 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 70 | $59,280 | $67,360 | $44,780 | $103,370 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | 50 | $72,490 | $76,240 | $46,730 | $101,370 |
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 New Jersey? New Jersey currently employs approximately 1,670 interior designers 1. Nationally, interior designer employment is projected to grow 3.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in New Jersey? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in New Jersey.
How much do interior designers earn in New Jersey compared to the national average? The median annual wage for interior designers in New Jersey is $74,020, which is $10,530 above the national median of $63,490 according to BLS data 1.
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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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |