Interior Designer Salary By Experience |
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| Experience Level | Low Hourly | High Hourly | Low Annual | High Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-1 Year | $11.63 | $19.66 | $24,200.00 | $40,900.00 |
| 1-5 Years | $13.32 | $23.65 | $27,700.00 | $49,200.00 |
| 5-10 Years | $14.23 | $28.22 | $29,600.00 | $58,700.00 |
| 10-20 Years | $15.10 | $34.90 | $31,400.00 | $72,600.00 |
| 20 Years + | $15.14 | $45.67 | $31,500.00 | $95,000.00 |
Interior designers are professionals who are extensively trained to conceptualize designs for building interiors, whether domestic or commercial. Their responsibilities range from decoration to furnishing and in many cases, they are also called to help with renovation projects. While most interior designers work on residential projects, their expertise on interiors can also be applied in other settings, including yachts, hospitals, factories, and commercial jetliners. Modern interior designers concern themselves not only with how to decorate the interior of a building, but also with making designs that maximize the functional use of space and are conducive for any human activities that are to take place in that area, like sleeping or working.
Interior designers commonly find themselves working alongside architects, especially during the planning phase of a proposed building or structure. Interior designers can make layouts of certain areas in the building, but their plans require the approval of the head architect or engineer. For this reason, many interior designers have significant education in architecture. Some successful interior designers are also architects themselves.
Aside from designing the interiors, professional interior designers also work on several technical aspects, such as lighting, temperature control, water fixtures, and acoustics. This means they also have to work with string of professional workers such as electricians, HVAC technicians, and plumbers to name a few.
There are many specialized fields within the interior design profession, the most common of which are residential and commercial. Listed below are a few of the main sub-fields of interior design:
The median interior designer salary in the United States is $47,620 a year. However, there are varying factors that influence the pay rates across the country. There are approximately 40,950 interior designers working across the United States and the top 10 percent are generating $86,430 annually. Those in the bottom 10 percent receive an average interior designer pay rate of $25,720 yearly.
There are many industries that require the services of interior designers. However, not all have the same salary rates. Each industry or employer type has its own established parameters in determining the acceptable interior designer salary grades, such as working conditions, work hours, stress levels, and qualifications.
In the United States, the industry with the highest interior designer employment rate is specialized design. Approximately 15,640 interior designers are connected to firms within the specialized design sector and are earning $52,870, which is very high compared to the national average. Around 8,710 designers are employed by firms providing architectural, engineering, and related services. The average interior designer salary in the said industry is rated at $57,950 per year, the best salary average among top hiring industries for interior designers. Other industries that offer good job prospects are furniture stores ($46,290), building material and supplies dealers ($46,710), and furniture merchant wholesalers ($53,480).
Interior designers who are eager on earning more substantial interior designer wages should consider working for used merchandise stores, where the average interior design salary is pegged at $73,180 a year, although employment opportunities are rare. Federal executive branches and offices also provide top wages for interior designers, averaging at $72,490 per annum. Other top paying industries for interior designers are newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers ($66,850), management, scientific, and technical consulting services ($64,980), and management of companies and enterprises ($60,850). While the average interior design salary rates in these sectors are very appealing, the employment prospects in all top-paying sectors are very low compared to other industries, with management of companies and enterprises offering by far the most at just 970 jobs nationwide.
Almost all entry-level positions in the interior design profession require at least a college degree in interior design, fine arts, architecture, or other related fields. That said, graduates from other courses can also start a career in interior design provided they underwent interior design-related classes and training programs. There are a number of interior design schools in the United States and requirements for entry may vary.
However, they commonly require applicants to provide sketches of their work as proof of their artistic abilities.
More than 300 colleges, universities, and technical schools have received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Around 150 are acknowledged by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.
Interior designers are obligated to apply for a license before they can practice their craft. Though requirements greatly differ from state to state, all aspiring interior designers must pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam.
Affiliation with recognized organizations can reinforce one's credentials and qualifications. Associations like the Interior Design Society, the Association of Interior Design Professionals, and the International Interior Design Association not only offer membership benefits, but provide avenues for aspiring interior designers for advanced learning and opportunities to meet important people in their field and expand their network.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that the interior design profession will grow by as much as 19 percent by 2020. The said government agency describes this growth as fast as the average for all occupations.
The demand for more interior designers will come from industries that provide renovation and remodeling services. Homes, hospitals, hotels, schools, as well as large public spaces and facilities are some of the structures that may require renovation in the near future. There are also a number of corporations that will take advantage of rebuilding their image and hiring interior designers to change the look and feel of their offices and facilities is one of the proposed options.
Job prospects are expected to increase in high income locations, mainly because wealthier and financially capable clients are more likely to engage in remodeling projects.
Many interior designers spend the first five years of their careers as staff members or assistants in specialized firms or architecture companies. During this time, they are likely to build their portfolio, gain more experience, and establish their names in the industry. There is no clear structure of progression in the interior design profession, since many designers have a preference for becoming self-employed and building their own brand.
It is also common that interior designers opt to become specialized in several areas of interior design and decoration in order to hone their skills and define their target clients. Some interior designers choose to specialize in kitchen and bath, others in commercial design while some found success in the sub-field of healthcare design.
Below are occupations closely related to the interior design profession:
The interior design profession is part of a large creative industry. In order to flourish in this career, a professional must have outstanding artistic ability, creativity, attention to detail and visual skills. In order to liaise successfully with clients and employers, a interior designer should also develop good interpersonal skills. This is especially essential for freelance workers in building up a client base.
Because the nature of their work largely involves their own affinities, many interior designers seek success and progression by carving their own niche in the industry instead of working for a firm. Both options- working for a salary or self employment- can be very financially and creatively rewarding.