Interior Designer
Interior designers make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements, selecting decorative items, and coordinating colors, materials, and furnishings. They must understand building codes, ADA requirements, and fire safety regulations. The BLS reports a median salary of $62,510 with 4% projected growth. Many states require licensure or registration, and NCIDQ certification is the industry standard.
A Day in the Life
A typical day starts by meeting with a homeowner to discuss their vision for a kitchen remodel, taking measurements and photographs. Mid-morning involves browsing fabric showrooms and selecting tile samples for a commercial lobby project. After lunch, the designer works in SketchUp to create 3D renderings of a restaurant interior and prepares a material specification book for the contractor. Late afternoon includes reviewing furniture delivery timelines and doing a final walk-through of a completed office project with the client.
Key Stats
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Salary Range
Entry: $38,000
Median: $62,510
Senior: $99,000
Job Growth