Interior Designers

Written By Keandra Wilson

 1. OVERVIEW

Interior Designers create functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing indoor spaces. They collaborate with architects, contractors, and clients to plan layouts, select furnishings and materials, and ensure compliance with safety and accessibility standards.

  • 2024 Median Pay: $63,490/year ($30.52/hour)

  • Job Growth (2023–2033): +4% (As fast as average)

  • Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree (Interior Design, Fine Arts, Architecture)

2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Junior Interior Designer, Interior Design Assistant, CAD Drafter, Design Intern

  • Education: Bachelor’s in Interior Design or related field

  • Experience: Internships, student design projects, or 0–2 years in support roles

  • Certifications (Recommended):

    • NCIDQ eligibility prep

    • LEED Green Associate

    • AutoCAD or SketchUp certifications

  • Core Duties:

    • Assist with space planning, mood boards, and client presentations

    • Source and specify furnishings and materials

    • Create 2D/3D renderings and update floorplans

    • Support senior designers in administrative tasks and on-site visits

  • Salary Range: $45,000–$60,000

MID LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Interior Designer, Project Designer, Kitchen & Bath Designer, Design Consultant

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s optional

  • Experience: 3–6 years in design roles with project experience

  • Certifications (Preferred):

    • NCIDQ Certified

    • LEED Accredited Professional (AP)

    • NKBA (for kitchen and bath specialists)

  • Core Duties:

    • Manage full projects from concept through installation

    • Work directly with clients, vendors, and contractors

    • Ensure code compliance, budgeting, and scheduling

    • Develop construction documentation and material boards

  • Salary Range: $60,000–$85,000

SENIOR LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Senior Interior Designer, Design Director, Interior Architecture Lead, Principal Designer

  • Education: Bachelor’s + advanced certification or Master’s

  • Experience: 7+ years with leadership and complex project experience

  • Certifications (Preferred):

    • NCIDQ (required in many states)

    • WELL AP or LEED AP

    • PMP (for project management in large firms)

  • Core Duties:

    • Oversee large-scale commercial or residential projects

    • Lead design teams and mentor junior staff

    • Establish design standards and brand aesthetics

    • Interface with executive clients, architects, and engineers

  • Salary Range: $85,000–$120,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Architecture

  • Training: Hands-on internships or apprenticeships are essential

  • Certifications:

    • NCIDQ: Required in many states to be licensed

    • LEED / WELL / NKBA: For specialization or sustainability focus

  • Advancement Path:
    Design Intern → Interior Designer → Senior Designer → Design Director

4. SKILLS & TOOLS

Core Skills

  • Space planning and design principles

  • Strong visual and artistic sense

  • Knowledge of safety codes and ADA compliance

  • Client communication and project management

  • Budgeting and time estimation

Tools & Software

  • AutoCAD, Revit

  • SketchUp, Rhino

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign)

  • 3ds Max, Lumion

  • BIM (Building Information Modeling) tools

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Industries: Architecture firms, design consultancies, retail, healthcare, real estate

  • Settings: Office-based with frequent travel to client sites

  • Schedules: Full-time; evening/weekend hours for client meetings

  • Challenges: Meeting client expectations, tight deadlines, managing multiple vendors

6. JOB OUTLOOK

  • Annual Openings: ~8,800

  • Growth Factors:

    • Demand for renovations and sustainable spaces

    • Aging population needing universal design

    • Brand-focused commercial design (retail, hospitality)

  • Career Paths:
    Interior Designer → Project Manager → Studio Lead → Principal or Firm Owner

7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS

  • Role: Architects | Salary: $96,690 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Industrial Designers | Salary: $79,450 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Art Directors | Salary: $111,040 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Graphic Designers | Salary: $61,300 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Landscape Architects | Salary: $79,660 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Set and Exhibit Designers | Salary: $61,420 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Courses & Certifications

  • Council for Interior Design Accreditation – accredit-id.org

  • NCIDQ Exam Prep – cidq.org

  • LEED Green Associate – usgbc.org

  • LinkedIn Learning – Interior Design Foundations, AutoCAD courses

  • Coursera/edX – Design Thinking, Color Theory, BIM

Books

  • The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book by Chris Grimley

  • Human Dimension & Interior Space by Julius Panero

  • Design the Home You Love by Lee Mayer

  • Residential Interior Design by Maureen Mitton

Videos & Communities

  • YouTube: Studio McGee, Interior Design Hub, 30X40 Design Workshop

  • Podcasts: Design Matters, A Well-Designed Business

  • Reddit: r/InteriorDesign, r/DesignMyRoom

  • Instagram/Pinterest for trends and portfolio inspiration

9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

  • Top-Paying Industries:

    • Architectural Services: $75,850

    • Wholesale Trade: $71,750

    • Specialized Design: $64,120

  • Hot Markets:
    California, New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois

  • Trends:

    • Sustainable and green design

    • Virtual/remote interior design services

    • Technology integration: 3D modeling, VR/AR

  • Remote Work Trend: Increasing flexibility via virtual consultations and e-design platforms

BLS Profile: Interior Designers – OOH
Projections Central: State-by-State Trends

 

Keandra Wilson
Previous

Janitors and Building Cleaners
Next

Insurance Sales Agents