Interior designers
SOC Code: 27-1025Also known as:
Bathroom Designer (Bath Designer), Certified Kitchen Designer, Color and Materials Designer, Commercial Interior Designer, Decorating Consultant
Median Annual Salary
$63,490
+3.2% growth (2024-2034)
8K
Openings/Year
87K
Current Jobs
What Interior designers Do
Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.
💰 Salary
$63,490
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+3.2%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
8K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
87,100
Projected Employment (2034)
89,900
Related Careers
Landscape architects
$79,660 •
+3.5% growth
Craft artists
$38,480 •
+2.1% growth
Commercial and industrial designers
$79,450 •
+3.2% growth
Fashion designers
$80,690 •
+2.0% growth
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers
$37,350 •
+3.2% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Design plans to be safe and to be compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Use computer-aided drafting (CAD) and related software to produce construction documents.
- Research health and safety code requirements to inform design.
- Confer with client to determine factors affecting planning of interior environments, such as budget, architectural preferences, purpose, and function.
- Advise client on interior design factors, such as space planning, layout and use of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination.
- Coordinate with other professionals, such as contractors, architects, engineers, and plumbers, to ensure job success.
- Review and detail shop drawings for construction plans.
- Inspect construction work on site to ensure its adherence to the design plans.
- Render design ideas in form of paste-ups or drawings.
- Subcontract fabrication, installation, and arrangement of carpeting, fixtures, accessories, draperies, paint and wall coverings, art work, furniture, and related items.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Interior designers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a interior designers:
Interior Design
5,651 degrees awarded •
236 colleges offer this program
Interior Architecture
756 degrees awarded •
43 colleges offer this program
Facilities Planning and Management
59 degrees awarded •
5 colleges offer this program
Design for Human Health
29 degrees awarded •
1 colleges offer this program
Housing and Human Environments, Other
10 degrees awarded •
1 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Interior designers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become interior designers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do interior designers make?
The median annual salary for interior designers is $63,490.
What education do interior designers need?
Most interior designers positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Facilities Planning and Management.
Is becoming interior designers a good career choice?
Interior designers is projected to see +3.2% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 7,800 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for interior designers?
Top colleges for aspiring interior designers include
The University of Texas at Austin, Fashion Institute of Technology, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Florida State University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to interior designers?
Interior designers may also be known as: Bathroom Designer (Bath Designer), Certified Kitchen Designer, Color and Materials Designer, Commercial Interior Designer, Decorating Consultant, Decorator, Design Consultant, Designer, Furniture Arranger, Home Decorator, Home Designer, Home Lighting Advisor, House Designer, Interior Decorator, Interior Design Consultant, Interior Design Coordinator, Interior Designer, Kitchen and Batch Designer, Kitchen and Bathroom Designer (Kitchen and Bath Designer), Kitchen Cabinet Designer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.