Interior Designer Salary Information

Finding the perfect job can be one of the hardest things to accomplish in life. This is especially true if you are a creative person. When looking for the perfect job it is important to look at what you will be doing each day and to also see if it is something that you would be comfortable doing. The career of an interior decorator offers a job in which you can spread your creative wings while also making a nice salary and working in a very nice environment.

Interior designing is more than just placing furniture in a room. You will have several functions that you need to complete for each client. First and foremost you must meet with your client and discuss their needs and what they want to accomplish. While taking their wants into consideration you must evaluate the space and decide how to best use it for it’s intended purposes. You will then draw designs and specify the materials to be used such as fabric samples and furnishings. This will be presented to the client for approval. 

Once you have the design you want you can use computer software to see the overall plans. You will then create the deadline for each aspect of the project and the pricing for the full project. You will oversee all aspects of the project from the initial design to the completion of the project. You will meet with the client after the project is done to ensure happiness.

Interior Designer Salary

As an interior designer you will be able to make a great salary. Currently, the interior designer salary is about $47,000 per year which is the same as $25 an hour nationally. This means that you will be able to make a great starting interior designer income. Even just after graduation, you can expect an interior designer salary of $25,000 per year. The interior designer wage will increase with the more projects you complete and experience that you gain. After five years of experience you can expect an interior designer salary of $35,000 per year. 

At ten years of experience the interior designer income is at an average of $47,000 per year. An average of $65,000 per year can be expected with fifteen years of experience. The best interior designer salary can be made once you have twenty or more years of experience. At this level you can make as much as $86,000 per year. There is also the potential to make even more by working for yourself as you will be able to set your own hours and prices.

Interior Designer Education

If you decide that this is the career for you, you will need to attend college and get a degree. You can get a two year associate’s degree or you can get a four year bachelor’s degree. Most employers are now looking for designers with bachelor’s degrees. There are more than 300 accredited associate’s degree programs and 150 accredited bachelor’s degree programs. Most programs will require you to submit drawings in order to be accepted into a program. The length of the program will depend on the degree that you choose. 

You will study topics such as design, customer relations, design theory, color and fabric, space planning, environmental needs and more. Once this is complete, you will need to become licensed. You will be required to complete an apprenticeship that can last anywhere from twelve months to thirty six months. Licensing requirements will depend on the state that you live in. You may also choose to become certified. This is not required but will show your dedication and experience in some areas. Certification can be given in bed and bath, kitchen and much more.

Interior Designer Work Environment

As an interior designer you will have a very comfortable work environment. Most interior designers work in nice office complexes and on site with their clients so there will be lots of travel. More than a quarter of all designers are self employed and work from their own homes. Much of the designing that is done is completed with computer software. Most designers will work a full time schedule and more than twenty seven percent work in the design services industry. Schedules may change due to deadlines and your clients needs so you must be a flexible person. You will be working closely with your clients so you will need highly developed listening and communication skills.

There are many reasons to choose interior designing as your career. It offers a very lucrative interior designer salary, a great work environment and a nice way to get involved creatively. The job outlook for designers is also looking up. Currently there are more than 56,000 interior designers out there making money. By the year 2018, there is an expected nineteen percent increase in the job market expected. This means that there will be an added 10,000 jobs to the market making this a great career move for anyone.