Interior Designer.
Albuquerque.
$53,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$42,000 to $68,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating an Interior Designer offer in Albuquerque, NM, here is the reality: $42,000 to $68,000, with $53,000 as the midpoint. 16% below the national average. Specialization in commercial, hospitality, or healthcare interiors drives higher pay than residential work. Do not accept the first number. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for Interior Designer in Albuquerque, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. BLS does not publish this occupation for this metro area, so the national published benchmark is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $67,190 for Interior Designers (SOC 27-1025) across the United States, based on 71,500 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$41,420
25th percentile
$51,840
Median
$67,190
75th percentile
$85,740
90th percentile
$114,140
Workers surveyed
71,500
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$63,490
May 2025 release
$67,190
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Interior Designers (SOC 27-1025) rather than Interior Designerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 27-1025Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $48,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$34,000
to $42,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$45,000
to $56,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$58,000
to $69,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$66,000
to $82,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $16,000 to the total package.
Base
$53,000
Equity
$9,000
Bonus
$6,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $69,000
How Albuquerque compares.
Albuquerque, NM
$53,000
Cost of living: 12% below average
National Average
$63,000
Albuquerque is $10,000 below
Interior Designer salary by city.
Salary by role in Albuquerque.
What you should know.
The Interior Designer landscape in Albuquerque is not what most salary sites will tell you. Albuquerque's economy is driven by Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base, and a growing film production industry. The city offers affordable living and a strong pipeline of research and engineering jobs tied to national defense and energy programs. Specialization in commercial, hospitality, or healthcare interiors drives higher pay than residential work. Designers with NCIDQ certification, proficiency in Revit and 3D visualization, and a portfolio of large-scale projects earn at the top of the range in major metros.
Junior Interior Designers start at $46,000 to $54,000. Mid-level designers managing client relationships and full projects earn $58,000 to $72,000. Senior Designers and Design Directors reach $75,000 to $95,000, with firm principals and celebrity designers earning well above $120,000. In Albuquerque, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 12% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Self-employed interior designers often earn more through markup on furnishings and materials, adding 20 to 35% to effective income. Salaried roles may include bonuses of 5 to 10% and trade account access for personal projects. And on the tax side: new Mexico's top income tax rate is 5.9%. Albuquerque has no city income tax. The moderate state rate and affordable housing create reasonable net compensation. When someone quotes you $53,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight security clearance or national lab experience. Sandia and Los Alamos pay nationally competitive salaries with excellent federal benefits packages. The range for Interior Designers in Albuquerque runs from $42,000 to $68,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- An Electrician in Albuquerque earns $54,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Albuquerque is CTO at $267,000
Common questions.
Interior Designer salary in other cities.
Other salaries in Albuquerque.
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