Interior Design Careers

What type of people are in the interior design career field?
Interior design attracts creative, detail-oriented individuals.

What do interior designers specialize in?
Interior designers often specialize in one area, such as industrial, commercial, or residential design. The requirements for each area differ significantly from each other. Lighting that is appropriate in a warehouse is out of place in a bedroom. Safety features in a home are less stringent than safety features in a commercial building. Rich, vibrant colors that are appropriate in a residence are not used in commercial or industrial setting.

Interior designers may choose to focus on new homes or remodeling. Others may prefer the challenge of designing a hotel, hospital, or restaurant. Retail design focuses on a setting that will encourage customers into the store, and make it appealing for them to purchase something while there. Industrial design can be more of a challenge. Safety features such as ample room to operate a forklift or textured flooring in areas that are wet must be taken into account. When designing a hospital the interior designer should focus on calming colors in order to maintain a feeling of peace among patients. He must also consider the layout of the furniture and medical equipment to accommodate the movements of patients and medical staff.

What skills should an interior designer have?
Interior designers must be a jack-of-all-trades and a master of all of them. He needs excellent interpersonal skills in order to coordinate the various teams of workers who carry out his design. He should be a psychologist to work with the owners and turn their visions into reality. He needs to be highly organized to ensure that all of the various stages of design are accomplished on time and on budget. He must have an excellent command of spatial relations, colors, and patterns to create a harmonious and functional finished product.

What education does an interior designer need to have?
Interior designers possess an associate’s degree at the minimum. Training courses for interior design can be completed in two to four years. Individuals possessing this training qualify to be an interior designer assistant. Most interior designers possess a bachelors degree or higher. This degree enables the interior designer to enter into a formal apprenticeship. The National School of Arts and Design and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation certify interior designers. Many states also require licensure to enter this career.

Some internior designers are also interested in careers in fashion design or other arts and design related careers.

What does the Bureau of Labor Statistics say about interior designers?
According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics there are approximately 46,010 individuals employed as interior designers. The Bureau expects an increase of 2.4 percent is expected in the coming years. The median wage for an interior designer is $46,180 per year, with the upper ten percent of designers earning $83,620 annually and the lower ten percent earning $26,908 annually.

Find out more information about how to become an interior designer.

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The salary range for Interior Design begins around $26,098 and usually tops out around $86,232, with a mean in the neighborhood of $56,165. This is about 29% higher than the national average for annual salaries.

In order to qualify for most Interior Design positions, you typically need to have a Associate's Degree or higher.

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The growth outlook for Interior Design careers is estimated at about 2.8% while the estimated growth for all career fields over that same span is at about 10.12%. Over the next six years, Interior Design jobs are expected to grow at a 261% lower rate than the national average for annual salaries.