Interior Design salaries
in Melbourne - 2026
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.
How much do interior designers earn in Melbourne?
Interior designers in Melbourne earn an average base salary of around $80,000 in 2026. Graduates start between $52,000 and $60,000, mid-weight designers earn $70,000 to $80,000, senior designers earn $80,000 to $110,000, and associates and senior associates earn $110,000 to $160,000. Specialist roles like workspace strategists reach $200,000. All figures are base salaries excluding superannuation.
Updated 1 July 2026. Based on 1,890 survey responses, 1,200+ placements and 3,000+ live vacancies.
Melbourne interior design salary table 2026
Base annual salaries in AUD, excluding superannuation and bonuses. Benchmark your own salary with our calculator.
Showing annual base salaries, excluding superannuation.
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Interior Design Associate | $110,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
| Senior Associate (Interior) | $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 |
Source: Bespoke Careers 2026 Salary Guide, updated 1 July 2026.
The interior design career path in Melbourne
Average base salary by seniority, from graduate to senior associate.
Average base salaries, excluding superannuation. Design directors and specialist strategy roles sit above this scale, reaching $200,000.
How Melbourne compares
Average base salary for the same interior design level across Australia. Titles vary slightly between cities, so the closest equivalent is shown.
Base annual salaries from the Bespoke Careers 2026 Salary Guide.
What’s shaping Melbourne interior design salaries in 2026
Graduates
Graduate interior designers in Melbourne start at $52,000 to $60,000. Studios favour graduates who can document in Revit and move comfortably between hospitality, retail and workplace projects in the city’s booming interiors sector.
Mid-career
Interior designers with healthcare, hospitality or workplace experience are particularly sought after in Melbourne. Designers who can run projects end to end, from concept through FF&E specification to site, command the strongest offers.
Senior
Experienced designers are scarce and salary expectations are rising steadily. Senior designers who can lead client relationships and mentor teams sit in the $80,000 to $110,000 bracket, with associates and senior associates well beyond that.
Specialists
Retail design managers and workspace strategists sit at the top of the market, reaching $160,000 to $200,000. Melbourne’s growing interiors sector is creating more of these hybrid strategy and leadership roles each year.
Get the full 2026 Salary Guide
105 roles across 20 global cities, hiring trends for every market, and practical advice for your next pay conversation. Built from 1,890 survey responses, 1,200+ placements and insight from 65 recruitment experts. Free to download.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary for an interior designer in Melbourne?
The average base salary for an interior designer in Melbourne is around $80,000 per year in 2026. Graduates start at $52,000 to $60,000, mid-weight designers earn $70,000 to $80,000, senior designers earn $80,000 to $110,000, and associates and senior associates earn $110,000 to $160,000.
How is the interior design salary data collected?
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 across our global offices.
Which interior design sectors pay the most in Melbourne?
Healthcare, hospitality and workplace projects typically pay the most in Melbourne, driven by project complexity and strong demand. Specialist leadership roles in retail design management and workspace strategy reach $160,000 to $200,000.
Do interior designers earn more at large or small studios in Melbourne?
Interior designers in Melbourne typically earn more at larger studios, thanks to structured pay scales and larger project budgets. Smaller studios offer broader experience, closer director access, more design influence and faster progression, which can outweigh the pay difference early in your career.
Are contract interior designers paid more than permanent staff in Melbourne?
Yes. Contract roles often pay 10-20% more than permanent ones to offset the lack of leave entitlements and superannuation top-ups. To find out more about contracting, head here.
Do interior designers in Melbourne receive bonuses or additional benefits?
Many interior design roles in Melbourne offer bonuses or profit-sharing on top of base salaries, especially at senior levels. Superannuation at 12% is mandatory, and some studios offer additional perks like flexible working, professional development allowances and extra leave. See our full Melbourne benefits benchmark for what Standard, Enhanced and Outstanding packages look like.
How do Melbourne interior design salaries compare to other Australian cities?
Melbourne junior and mid-weight salaries are competitive with, and in some cases above, Sydney. At senior level, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth currently pay more in some brackets, driven by strong hospitality and workplace pipelines. Melbourne remains one of Australia’s largest interior design markets by volume of studios and projects.
Explore more
Hiring in Melbourne
? Or looking for a job?
We connect exceptional firms with talented professionals across Melbourne 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.
Benchmark your salary in 30 seconds
See how your pay compares against the 2026 market for your exact role, and get your results by email.
Benchmark your salary in 30 seconds
See how your pay compares against the 2026 market for your exact role, and get your results by email.