Interior Designer

Your Fit

Income

$64K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

3.9%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Interior Designer?

An Interior Designer is a professional who plans, researches, coordinates, and manages the enhancement of interior spaces to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for clients. They blend art, design, and functionality to create spaces that are both beautiful and practical.

Sample job titles:

Designer, Interior Design Consultant, Interior Design Coordinator, Interior Designer

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Interior Designer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Interior Designer earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$38K per year	$50K per year	$64K per year	$81K per year	$106K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $14K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Interior Designer do?

Work environment

Interior Designers work in a variety of settings, including design firms, architectural firms, retail stores, and as independent consultants. They often visit clients' homes or businesses to assess spaces and discuss design options. The work involves collaboration with clients, architects, engineers, and contractors.

Quick task list

Meets with clients to discuss design goals and preferences.
Creates design plans, including drawings, color schemes, and material selections.
Coordinates with contractors and architects during the design process.
Oversees the installation of design elements.
Stays up to date on the latest design trends and materials.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Residential Design: Focusing on private homes, tailoring designs to individual clients.
Commercial Design: Working on business spaces, including offices, hotels, and restaurants.
Sustainable Design: Emphasizing eco-friendly practices and materials.
Universal Design: Creating accessible spaces for individuals with disabilities.
Healthcare Design: Specializing in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities to enhance functionality and patient comfort.

Description

Interior Designers play a crucial role in shaping the environments where people live, work, and play. They must balance aesthetic considerations with practical, functional aspects of a space. Designers need to understand their clients' lifestyles or business needs to create personalized, effective designs. This involves selecting colors, lighting, materials, and furniture to meet specific design goals.

The profession requires not only creativity and a good eye for design but also strong problem-solving and communication skills. Interior Designers must manage budgets, timelines, and client expectations, often juggling multiple projects at once.

Interior Design is an ever-evolving field, with opportunities to work on a variety of projects and constantly learn about new trends, technologies, and materials. It's a career that combines creative expression with practical, hands-on work, making every project unique and rewarding.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Seeing design concepts come to life and transform a space.
The creative process of conceptualizing and executing design ideas.
Positive impact on clients' lives or businesses through functional and beautiful design work.

You might make a good Interior Designer if you are...

Creative with a strong sense of aesthetics and attention to detail.
Good at visualizing concepts and conveying them to others.
Skilled in communication and customer service.
Organized and able to manage projects efficiently.
Interested in architecture, art, and design trends.

Pros:

Creative and fulfilling work with tangible results.
Opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects.
Flexibility in work environment and potential for self-employment.

Cons:

Can be a competitive field with challenging client demands.
Balancing creative desires with practical client needs and budgets.
Workload can be heavy and demanding, with tight deadlines.

How to become an Interior Designer

Typical education

A bachelor's degree in interior design or a related field is typically required, involving 4 years of post-secondary education. Many states also require licensing, which includes passing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam.

High school preparation

Courses:

Art and design classes to develop foundational skills.
Drafting or technical drawing for understanding spatial design.
Computer science, especially in graphic design or CAD (Computer-Aided Design).
Business studies to gain basic knowledge of managing a business.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining art or design clubs.
Volunteering to help with stage design for school plays or community events.
Interning or shadowing at a local interior design firm or furniture store.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in interior design, interior architecture, or a related field.
Participate in internships or apprenticeships to gain practical experience.
Build a portfolio of design work to showcase your style and skills.
Stay current with design trends and software through workshops and continuing education courses.
Prepare for and pass the NCIDQ examination for professional certification.

More resources

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) - Provides education, advocacy, and networking for interior design professionals.
Interior Design Society (IDS) - Offers resources and community support for residential interior designers.
Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) - Accredits interior design education programs.
National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) - Details the requirements and examination information for professional interior design certification.
Design Milk - An online magazine offering design ideas, trends, and modern interior design inspiration.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.