Interior Designer Salary

The career of an interior designer can be a very fulfilling and financially rewarding one. Interior designers use their training to design safe, functional, and most importantly eye pleasing interiors to all types of buildings. They may be asked to design the inside of homes, offices, show rooms, and any other type of interior space imaginable. This can be a very exciting job but one must be able to deal with deadlines and the occasional picky client to be able to succeed in this career.

The starting salary for an interior designer depends greatly on education and level of training. Education is one of the major factors in an Interior Designer Salary. There are two to three year training programs available for people going into interior design. Once these programs are completed a certificate or an associate’s degree is awarded. A certificate or an associate’s degree in interior design will qualify the graduate for an assistant to an interior designer job. These jobs will usually pay from $25,000 to $30,000 a year. Completion of a four year bachelor’s degree will qualify the graduate for an apprenticeship in a formal interior design program. These apprenticeship programs usually last for one to three years and can give valuable work experience. Once these programs are complete regular work as an interior designer can begin along with the mentoring of other up and coming designers. Designers with a four year degree and completion of an apprentice program can expect to make $40,000 and $50,000 a year; this amount can increase up $70,000 to $80,000 as experience is gained. Some states also require licensing exams to become an interior designer these exams usually require at least six years of education and experience and at least two of the six years must be from post secondary education. Pay can be increased through additional certifications as well by taking exams and attending seminars. These certifications such as the certification of residential bath and kitchen design can add to your marketability allowing you to earn more money.

Interior designers can work for firms corporations or do it on a freelance or contract basis. Depending on where a designer works may affect their pay and the hours they work. While designers who go to work for large firms and corporations will generally enjoy set working hours in a comfortable office building, they will have to give up a portion of their earnings to their company. A self employed designer will probably have to work irregular hours to fit their clients’ needs and may not have the lavish office of a corporate designer, at least starting out, they will be able to pocket their earnings without having to pay a corporation or firm a percentage. Whether someone wants to go into business for themselves or work for a company interior design presents a wonderful career opportunity that can give them a job they enjoy doing along with a nice paycheck to deposit in their bank account.

How to Become an Interior Designer

Interior design is all about creativity and vision. Understanding how to use indoor spaces in either commercial or residential buildings in an aesthetically pleasing manner is a useful skill set that is sought by many. Those interested in learning how to become an interior designer must generally earn a college degree. A large number of colleges have interior design programs, which are usually a subset of architecture, as the field is closely connected to the way buildings are designed from the perspective of an architect.

After applying and being accepted to a college or university, interior design degrees will probably take between two and four years to obtain. As with most college degrees, basic core classes are required. These include courses such as English composition and writing, history and government classes, as well as some science and mathematics classes. Other classes, such as economics and financing will be required, too. Courses with a focus more in-line with an interior design major that will make up the bulk of the course work are offered beginning in the sophomore year of college, becoming more in-depth in later years of coursework. Classes that are included in the Interior Design program are computer applications and graphic design work, architectural design, interior construction and furniture design, along with history classes that have a primary focus of interior design. A portion of the credit hours required to earn an interior design degree are profession on electives. For most colleges, upwards of one-hundred and twenty credit hours are necessary in order to earn the degree, as well as a course in the final semester that sums up everything learned in the previous years.’

For those who earn a college degree in interior design, there are a multitude of career paths available. Nearly every facet of modern culture in developed countries around the world has the need for architects and interior designers. Job opportunities for interior designers include working in both civic and government related work environments, such as offices, government facilities, airports, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, and many other community buildings. Residential opportunities for interior designers are also sought by home builders and buyers. A career in any of these generally involves working closely with architects, usually during the construction process of any particular building project. Many interior design jobs are centered around the client, so personal relations skills are helpful, particularly for those interested in working on the residential side of the field.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor the median annual wages for an interior design position was $44,950, and the field is expected to grow 19% between 2008 and 2018, which is above average compared to other fields. Earnings of interior designers are often on a per hour basis, especially for those working in smaller firms, while those working in large companies may have an annual salary. Competition amongst interior designers is also rather high, so it is necessary to be prepared and creative when working toward becoming an interior designer, though natural talent is helpful, as well.