Interior designers are paid in two main ways:
👉 Salary-based (if working for a firm).
👉 Fee/project-based (if freelancing or independent).

✅ 1. Entry-Level Interior Designers (Freshers)

✔ Working with design studios or contractors.
✔ Salary range: ₹20,000 – ₹35,000/month in cities like Noida & Delhi NCR.
👉 In Gurgaon’s premium firms, it can go up to ₹40,000/month.

✅ 2. Mid-Level Interior Designers (3–5 years experience)

✔ Handle independent projects or manage client interactions.
✔ Salary range: ₹50,000 – ₹80,000/month.
👉 Freelancers may earn ₹5–10 lakh/year depending on projects.

✅ 3. Senior Interior Designers (5–10 years experience)

✔ Often lead teams or run their own practice.
✔ Salary range: ₹1 – 2 lakh/month in reputed firms.
👉 Independent designers may charge ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 per sq. ft. or ₹15–50 lakh/project for premium clients in Gurgaon & Delhi.

✅ 4. Luxury & High-End Designers

✔ Serve elite clients, luxury villas, and commercial spaces.
✔ Can charge ₹3,000 – ₹5,000+ per sq. ft.
👉 Annual income often crosses ₹50 lakh – ₹1 crore+, especially in luxury markets like Gurgaon and South Delhi.

✅ 5. Specialized Designers (Niche Experts)

✔ Modular kitchen specialists, office designers, or hospitality experts.
✔ Higher fees due to niche expertise.
👉 Example: A modular kitchen designer in Noida may charge ₹3–10 lakh per kitchen depending on size and finish.

✅ How Interior Designers Charge Clients

Most interior designers use one of these models:

Percentage of Project Cost (5–15%).
Per sq. ft. rates (₹500 – ₹5,000/sq. ft., depending on project scale & market).
Lump-sum fees (for consultancy or turnkey projects).
Hourly rates (rare in India, but ₹1,000–₹5,000/hour for consultation).

🔑 Summary: What Can Most Interior Designers Expect to Be Paid?

Freshers: ₹20k–40k/month.
Mid-level: ₹50k–80k/month.
Senior designers: ₹1–2 lakh/month.
Independent/Luxury designers: ₹15 lakh–₹1 crore+ annually.

👉 In Gurgaon, Noida, and Delhi NCR, demand for modular kitchens, luxury homes, and corporate interiors pushes earnings much higher than smaller towns.

🔗 Helpful References

✨ In short: Most interior designers can expect ₹20k/month as beginners, but with skill, experience, and networking, incomes can cross ₹1 crore+ in luxury markets like Gurgaon and Delhi NCR.