Interior Design salaries
in Melbourne - 2026
The average salary for an Interior Designer in Melbourne is $101,000 per year.
Find out how much Interior Designers earn in 2026 in Melbourne across all levels, from Graduate to Senior Associate. Trusted by top Melbourne interior design studios.
Based on data from 3,000+ active job vacancies, 1,890 survey respondents and insights from 65 recruitment experts.
Architecture and Design
Salary Calculator 2026
Is your salary keeping pace with the market?
Enter your role, location, and salary to benchmark yourself against the 2026 Architecture & Design market.
Interior Design Salaries Melbourne 2026
Interior Design
| Job Title | Low $ | Average $ | High $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Interior Designer | 52,000 | 55,000 | 60,000 |
| Interior Designer (0-3 yrs) | 60,000 | 65,000 | 70,000 |
| Interior Designer (3-6 yrs) | 70,000 | 75,000 | 80,000 |
| Interior Designer (6-10 yrs) | 80,000 | 90,000 | 110,000 |
| Associate | 110,000 | 120,000 | 140,000 |
| Senior Associate | 130,000 | 145,000 | 160,000 |
| Stylist/Decorator | 60,000 | 75,000 | 90,000 |
| Retail Design Manager | 100,000 | 130,000 | 160,000 |
| Workspace Strategist | 120,000 | 160,000 | 200,000 |
Our salary data draws on input from over 1,890 survey respondents, 1,200 recent placements, 3,000 job listings and insight from 65 recruitment experts.
Interior designers in Melbourne typically earn more at larger studios, thanks to structured pay and bigger projects. But smaller studios offer broader experience, closer director access, more design influence and faster progression. Pay might be lower, but the hands-on exposure and autonomy can outweigh the difference, especially early in your career.
Yes. Contract roles often pay 5-10% more than permanent ones. To find out more about contracting head here.
Workspace strategy, retail design and high-end residential interiors tend to offer the highest salaries in Melbourne. Workspace Strategists can earn $120,000–$200,000, while Retail Design Managers typically command $100,000–$160,000.
Many interior design roles in Melbourne offer bonuses or commissions on top of base salaries, especially for senior positions.
Interior designers in Melbourne earn salaries broadly comparable to Sydney, though Sydney can carry a slight premium at senior level due to its higher cost of living. Melbourne's strong design culture, depth of studio options and lower living costs make it one of Australia's most attractive markets for interior design professionals.
The average salary for an Interior Designer in Melbourne is approximately $101,000 per year. Graduate Interior Designers start at around $55,000, rising to $75,000–$90,000 with experience. Associates earn $120,000 on average, Senior Associates up to $145,000, and specialist roles such as Workspace Strategist can reach $160,000.
Hiring in Melbourne
? Or looking for a job?
We connect exceptional firms with talented professionals across London and beyond.
Whether you're looking to hire or explore new career opportunities, let’s discuss how we can help you achieve your goals. Get in touch with the team today.