Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Interior Designers Salary in Pennsylvania: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Interior Designers salary really buy you in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is 3.8% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$62,400
Median annual (2025)
+4.0%
Real Purchasing Power
$64,864
COL-adjusted (RPP=96.2)

Pennsylvania Cost of Living Index

Pennsylvania's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 96.2, meaning prices are 3.8% lower the national average. A Interior Designers earning $62,400 in Pennsylvania has the equivalent purchasing power of $64,864 in an average-cost US state.

PA: 96.2
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $44,470 $46,226 +$1,756
25th Percentile (P25) $50,560 $52,557 +$1,997
Median (P50) $62,400 $64,864 +$2,464
75th Percentile (P75) $81,330 $84,542 +$3,212
90th Percentile (P90) $97,820 $101,683 +$3,863
Key Insight

A Interior Designers in Pennsylvania earns $62,400 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 4% further — like earning $64,864 in an average-cost state. This makes Pennsylvania one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Pennsylvania Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 96.2

With an RPP of 96.2, Pennsylvania is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Interior Designers is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+4.0%

After applying Pennsylvania's RPP, the $62,400 median salary translates to $64,865 in real terms — a 4.0% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Interior Designers.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#33 / 49

Pennsylvania's rank of #33 of 49 states means real purchasing power for Interior Designers trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Interior Designers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Interior Designers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Wyoming
$104,570
RPP 91.9
$84,433
RPP 116.6
$80,819
RPP 86.6
$77,162
RPP 88.8
$76,627
RPP 102.3
$75,310
RPP 101.3
$74,994
RPP 97.7
8. Georgia
$74,906
RPP 95.8
$74,113
RPP 88.0
$73,226
RPP 109.4

Pennsylvania ranks #33 out of 49 states for Interior Designers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Interior Designers take-home pay in Pennsylvania after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Interior Designers in Pennsylvania after cost of living?

A Interior Designers in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $62,400 per year. After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living (RPP=96.2), the real purchasing power is $64,864 — a +4.0% difference.

Is Pennsylvania expensive to live in?

Pennsylvania's cost of living is 3.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Pennsylvania is 96.2 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Interior Designers in Pennsylvania: $62,400 x (100 / 96.2) = $64,864. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Interior Designers in Pennsylvania financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Interior Designers in Pennsylvania enjoys 4.0% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy