Interior Design salaries
in Sydney - 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 Sydney?
Interior designers in Sydney earn an average base salary of $95,000 for a senior designer in 2026. Junior designers start between $55,000 and $70,000, mid-weight designers earn $65,000 to $85,000, and design directors earn $130,000 to $180,000. 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.
Sydney 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Interior Designer (1-3 yrs) | $55,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
| Mid-weight Interior Designer (4-7 yrs) | $65,000 | $70,000 | $85,000 | |
| Senior Interior Designer / Project Lead (8-10 yrs) | $85,000 | $95,000 | $120,000 | |
| Associate / Senior Associate | $125,000 | $135,000 | $150,000 | |
| Design Director | $130,000 | $150,000 | $180,000 | |
| Design Manager | $90,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| Senior Design Manager | $120,000 | $140,000 | $150,000 | |
| FF&E / Stylist | $65,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 |
Source: Bespoke Careers 2026 Salary Guide, updated 1 July 2026.
The interior design career path in Sydney
Average base salary by seniority, from junior designer to design director.
Average base salaries, excluding superannuation.
How Sydney compares
Average base salary for the same 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 Sydney interior design salaries in 2026
Juniors
Entry-level interior design roles in Sydney are driven by hospitality, workplace and high-end residential fitout projects. Cost-of-living pressure has pushed salary expectations up - make sure your benchmarks reflect current 2026 figures rather than last year’s offers.
Mid-career
Mid-weight designers with 4-7 years of experience are in strong demand across Sydney’s commercial and hospitality sectors. Practices are competing hard to retain talent with solid project delivery and FF&E specification skills.
Senior
Senior interior designers and project leads command premium salaries in Sydney, particularly those with hospitality, luxury residential or workplace fitout experience. Hybrid arrangements and work-life balance are key retention factors at this level.
Leadership
Design director and associate-level roles are opening as practices build out their leadership teams. Sydney leads the country in senior interior design salaries, reflecting both strong project pipelines and a tight market for experienced design leaders.
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 Sydney?
The average base salary for a senior interior designer in Sydney is approximately $95,000 per year in 2026. Junior interior designers typically earn $55,000 to $70,000, mid-weight designers earn $65,000 to $85,000, and design directors earn $130,000 to $180,000.
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.
Do interior designers earn more at large or small studios in Sydney?
Larger studios and consultancies in Sydney generally offer higher base salaries thanks to structured pay scales and bigger project budgets. Smaller studios tend to offer broader project exposure, faster progression and more creative autonomy - which can outweigh the salary gap early in a career.
Are contractors paid more than permanent interior designers in Sydney?
Yes. Contract roles typically pay 10-20% more than permanent positions to offset the lack of leave entitlements and superannuation top-ups. To find out more about contracting, head here.
Which sectors pay the most for interior designers in Sydney?
Hospitality, luxury residential and high-end commercial fitout consistently offer the highest interior design salaries in Sydney. Healthcare and workplace projects also command strong rates, driven by the technical complexity and scale of the briefs.
Do interior designers in Sydney receive bonuses or additional benefits?
Many Sydney studios offer bonuses or profit-sharing for senior and director-level roles. Superannuation at 12% is mandatory, and competitive practices add professional development allowances, flexible working arrangements and extra leave. See our full Sydney benefits benchmark for what Standard, Enhanced and Outstanding packages look like.
How do interior design salaries in Sydney compare to other Australian cities?
Sydney interior design salaries are among the highest in Australia at senior and director level, reflecting the cost of living and a strong pipeline of high-value commercial and hospitality projects. Brisbane has seen strong salary growth recently, particularly at mid-to-senior levels, while Melbourne remains highly competitive. Perth and Adelaide tend to offer slightly lower base salaries but more affordable living costs.
Explore more
Hiring in Sydney
? 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.
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.