How to Become An Interior Designer in Washington
Washington employs approximately 1,330 interior designers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $76,570 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 Washington, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become an Interior Designer in Washington
How to become an interior designer in Washington? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for interior designers in Washington.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do interior designers earn in Washington? The median annual wage for interior designers in Washington is $76,570 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,050 and experienced professionals can earn $109,820 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Washington): $76,570 per year 1
Interior Designer Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Interior Designers Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), interior designers wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 1,840 | $79,590 | $84,650 | $46,520 | $131,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 970 | $78,810 | $85,840 | $60,540 | $124,930 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 760 | $73,700 | $78,510 | $49,990 | $107,060 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 120 | $61,310 | $65,100 | $37,590 | $93,110 |
| Bellingham | 40 | $66,810 | $74,590 | $45,100 | $96,730 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 40 | $70,510 | $77,240 | $49,850 | $104,070 |
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 .
Top Metros for Interior designers in Washington
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest interior designer employment within Washington according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 970 | $78,810 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 120 | $61,310 |
| Bellingham | 40 | $66,810 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 40 | $70,510 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for interior designers in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 1,330 interior designers 1. Nationally, interior designer employment is projected to grow 3.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Washington.
How much do interior designers earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for interior designers in Washington is $76,570, which is $13,080 above the national median of $63,490 according to BLS data 1.
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) |