Entry-level Interior Designer salary in Washington, DC
Based on 12 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Chevy Chase, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Silver Spring.
Also listed as: Lighting Designer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $52,981 |
| 25th | $57,500 |
| 50th (median) | $63,500 |
| 75th | $67,880 |
| 90th | $77,037 |
Cost of living
Washington's median entry-level Interior Designer salary of $63,500 is worth about $58,300 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Washington = 108.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Interior Designers in the Washington, DC area earned a median of $79,590 in May 2025 (1,840 employed). The H-1B median here is $63,500, 20% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Kishimoto.Gordon.Dalaya | too few | 4 |
| RD Jones & Associates | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $63,500 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $70,000 | 13 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $52,478 | $63,500 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $68,370 | $70,000 | 13 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.