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.
Interior Designers
SOC: 27-1025 O*NET: 27-1025.00
Median Salary
$63,490
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Interior Designers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,480
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,770
25th percentile
Median
$63,490
50th percentile
Experienced
$80,830
75th percentile
Top Earners
$106,090
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,480
25th
$49,770
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$63,490
Mean: $71,430
75th
$80,830
90th
$106,090
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $67,610 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $49,770 and $80,830
- •Salary spread is 48.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 69,580 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:87,100
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services61.9%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services61.9%
Specialized Design Services42.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.2%
Annual Openings:7,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)87,100
Current
2034 (Projected)89,900
+3.2%
+2,800
Employment Change
+3.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Interior Designers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
8,360 jobs$77,3601.03x
Florida
7,090 jobs$60,2001.60x
New York
5,590 jobs$73,6301.30x
Texas
5,190 jobs$61,6200.83x
Colorado
2,800 jobs$72,7402.15x
Illinois
2,680 jobs$66,3000.98x
Georgia
2,660 jobs$61,8101.21x
North Carolina
2,360 jobs$53,1801.07x
Ohio
2,280 jobs$58,7200.92x
Pennsylvania
2,140 jobs$64,6800.79x
Michigan
1,670 jobs$62,7600.84x
Virginia
1,550 jobs$66,4500.84x
Arizona
1,550 jobs$63,9501.08x
Massachusetts
1,540 jobs$77,1900.94x
New Jersey
1,510 jobs$67,2900.79x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Service Orientation
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Advertising and Promotions Managers82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Child, Family, and School Social Workers82%
5 shared skills
Chiropractors82%
5 shared skills
Police Identification and Records Officers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Interior Designers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk Revit
🔥 Hot TechTrimble SketchUp Pro
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk Revit
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (13)General Responsibilities (2)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Estimate material requirements and costs, and present design to client for approval.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Confer with client to determine factors affecting planning of interior environments, such as budget, architectural preferences, purpose, and function.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Advise client on interior design factors, such as space planning, layout and use of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Select or design, and purchase furnishings, art work, and accessories.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Formulate environmental plan to be practical, esthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity or selling merchandise.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Subcontract fabrication, installation, and arrangement of carpeting, fixtures, accessories, draperies, paint and wall coverings, art work, furniture, and related items.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Render design ideas in form of paste-ups or drawings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Plan and design interior environments for boats, planes, buses, trains, and other enclosed spaces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Coordinate with other professionals, such as contractors, architects, engineers, and plumbers, to ensure job success.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination76% perform84%
10
Review and detail shop drawings for construction plans.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Interior Designers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Interior Designers professionals typically have a ARC Holland code and highly value achievement
AArtistic
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Interior Designers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.76
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.56
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.52
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.36
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.33
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.16
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Integrity
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.0
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Leadership
3.9
Innovation
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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