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How to hire a commercial interior designer

Commercial interior designer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring commercial interior designers in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a commercial interior designer is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per commercial interior designer on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 25,858 commercial interior designers in the US, and there are currently 74,082 job openings in this field.
  • New York, NY, has the highest demand for commercial interior designers, with 3 job openings.

How to hire a commercial interior designer, step by step

To hire a commercial interior designer, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a commercial interior designer, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step commercial interior designer hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a commercial interior designer job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new commercial interior designer
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your commercial interior designer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a commercial interior designer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A commercial interior designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, commercial interior designers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of commercial interior designers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Commercial Interior DesignerDescriptionHourly rate
    Commercial Interior DesignerInterior designers make interior spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials. They read blueprints and must be aware of building codes and inspection regulations, as well as universal accessibility standards.$16-36
    Design ConsultantA design consultant is a professional who provides expertise incorporating functionality and aesthetics to a space or product based on the evaluation of the needs of customers or clients. Design consultants may collaborate with other professionals such as architects, graphic designers, or fashion designers to cater to the needs of their customers... Show more$24-57
    DesignerA designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences... Show more$21-46
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Revit
    • Sketch
    • Space Planning
    • Design Concepts
    • Auto CAD
    • Design Development
    • Construction Drawings
    • Leed
    • Construction Administration
    • Installation Drawings
    • FF
    • Furniture Systems
    • Design Projects
    • Design Firm
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
    • Perform production functions: drafting, documentation and 3-D Revit renderings.
    • Implement the use of social media and play a vital role in the transition from AutoCad to Revit.
    • Design, modele and render graphically intensive exteriors and interior environments and animations utilizing the latest in visualization technology.
    • Demonstrate knowledge of product by creating PowerPoint presentations for clients introducing product lines such as furniture and lighting.
    • Design and develop project-based graphics including logos, illustrations, diagrams, and content-supporting imagery as needed.
    More commercial interior designer duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your commercial interior designer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A commercial interior designer salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, commercial interior designers' average salary in mississippi is 49% less than in north dakota.
    • Seniority. Entry-level commercial interior designers earn 53% less than senior-level commercial interior designers.
    • Certifications. A commercial interior designer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a commercial interior designer's salary.

    Average commercial interior designer salary

    $51,844yearly

    $24.93 hourly rate

    Entry-level commercial interior designer salary
    $35,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 19, 2025

    Average commercial interior designer salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$65,277$31
    2California$65,110$31
    3Oregon$64,811$31
    4New York$57,729$28
    5North Carolina$54,028$26
    6Minnesota$52,036$25
    7Colorado$51,518$25
    8Connecticut$51,225$25
    9New Jersey$51,192$25
    10Georgia$50,919$24
    11Virginia$47,964$23
    12Texas$47,543$23
    13Michigan$47,407$23
    14Illinois$42,790$21
    15Alabama$40,704$20
    16Florida$40,389$19

    Average commercial interior designer salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Florida Power & Light$73,810$35.49
    2Tesla$66,036$31.7533
    3Storr Office Environments$60,968$29.31
    4NBBJ Design$58,610$28.184
    5Gensler$58,240$28.00140
    6American Christmas$54,279$26.102
    7S&G$51,881$24.94
    8Sweet People Apparel Inc$51,378$24.701
    9*n/a*$51,187$24.61
    10D & K Stores Inc$51,175$24.60
    11STAR EXHIBITS & ENVIRONMENTS$51,175$24.60
    12Bradford Products$50,915$24.48
    13JST Corporation / Sales America$50,309$24.19
    14EE Technologies$50,181$24.13
    15Ta Chen International$49,588$23.84
  4. Writing a commercial interior designer job description

    A good commercial interior designer job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a commercial interior designer job description:

    Commercial interior designer job description example

    • 5-10 years of professional experience in Interior Design
    • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture
    • LEED Accreditation or within 18 months of hire
    • Strong conceptual design and schematic design skills
    • Strong verbal and graphic communication skills.
    • Proficiency in Revit with 3D modeling skills essential.
    • Demonstrated knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Sketch Up, Rhino and/or 3DS Max
    • Creation of presentation books and materials
    • Experience with researching, selecting, and specifying materials and finishes
    • Experience with furniture selection and specification not required, but a bonus
    • Ability to work in a collaborative, open environment
    • Desire to help drive innovative design solutions

    Why choose NBBJ?

    We believe that all NBBJ employees should love their work. This means not only loving what you do but having pride in your workplace. We strive to be that irresistible place to work by enhancing your employee experience with customized programs and comprehensive benefits. In addition to 100% covered employee healthcare costs and 401k contributions, we offer unique professional development opportunities, volunteer opportunities and access to leading technology and resources to further help you love your work and advance your career.

    • NBBJ has been named three times by Fast Company as one of the most innovative architecture firms.
    • Founded in 1943, our first office opened over 75 years ago in Seattle, Washington. We now have over 10 office locations around the globe.
    • We are a transdisciplinary, cross-practice focused firm with a deep portfolio of Civic & Cultural, Commercial, Corporate, Healthcare, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Sports, and Urban Environment projects. We also have several areas of service expertise including: Architecture, Environmental Graphic Design, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Workplace Consulting and more.
    • In the past decade, NBBJ has received more than 300 awards from leading global, national and regional award programs across the business, real estate and design communities.
    • We work with 5 of the top global high-tech companies, 14 of the U.S. News and World Report Top Hospitals, and 4 of the top 10 highest-ranked learning institutions.
    • Our clients include institutional leaders such as Cambridge University, Google, Samsung, Cleveland Clinic, Tencent, and Stanford University.

    Our Values

    We are a collective of thinkers, makers and dreamers working to create positive impact through design. But we're more than that-we're also a firm made up of individuals, each with unique talents, ideas and contributions. This blend of togetherness and individuality makes us who we are. It's also the basis for our values, which guide how we show up for each other and our clients:
    • Stand for Optimism
    We are united behind a calling to design a better future for our clients, society and planet.
    • Lead with Curiosity
    We never stop asking “what if?” and “why?”
    • Commit to Sustainability
    We wield extraordinary power-and have an obligation-to initiate environmental change.
    • Design for All
    We have a responsibility-through our process and work-to design with and for all.
    • Own the Outcome
    We are entrepreneurs of our destiny, focused on the success of each other and our clients.
    • Grow our Legacy
    We are part of a story bigger than ourselves.

    NBBJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F Disabled and Vet EEO/AA Employer.

    NBBJ does not accept unsolicited resumes or similar submissions from third party recruiters or employment agencies. Any unsolicited materials received by NBBJ from a source other than an individual candidate will be considered NBBJ property and NBBJ reserves the right to pursue and hire candidates referred to us without any financial obligation to the third party in question. If you are interested in becoming an approved NBBJ external recruiter, please contact a member of the NBBJ Talent Acquisition Team.

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find commercial interior designers for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your commercial interior designer job on Zippia to find and recruit commercial interior designer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit commercial interior designers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new commercial interior designer

    Once you have selected a candidate for the commercial interior designer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new commercial interior designer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a commercial interior designer?

There are different types of costs for hiring commercial interior designers. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new commercial interior designer employee.

You can expect to pay around $51,844 per year for a commercial interior designer, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for commercial interior designers in the US typically range between $16 and $36 an hour.

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