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Careers in Interior Design

With constant exposure to sophisticated interior design on television and in magazines, more Americans than ever before are actively contemplating careers in interior design. Although job candidates in this area must complete a rigorous certification process, a career in interior design can provide you with opportunities to run your own business, exercise your creativity and earn an income that grows in direct proportion to your skills.

Research from the United States Census Bureau and from various trade organizations places the number of certified interior designers at between fifty and sixty thousand. The majority of American design firms employ between three and five people. Since most of these "mom and pop" design firms fit snugly into their established networks of tradespeople and contractors, the certification process requires an internship or an apprenticeship to provide a fledgling interior designer exposure to "real world" projects and challenges.

An apprentice level interior designer at the start of their career can expect to earn about $30,000 per year. When the economy experiences growth, and more potential clients clamor for upgrades to their living quarters, young interior designers can quickly launch their own firms and earn close to $45,000 per year.

Design firms that survive economic downturn sometimes buy out smaller firms to absorb their talent base. Principals of these larger, more established firms can earn $75,000 or even $100,000 per year when their senior partners focus on overall creative vision and client development, delegating execution to the junior partners or to a design team.

Not all interior designers work in design firms, however. Other careers and opportunities beckon for qualified interior designers who want to apply their talents in unusual ways or with other skill sets. For example, many furniture manufacturers and carpet factories have added interior designers to their payroll. These in-house designers collaborate with product development teams on innovative new lines. They then communicate with designers outside the company about integrating these new products into the offerings at more and more design firms.

Large companies, especially those in the retail and health care industries, hire in-house designers to consistently upgrade stores, hospitals and clinics in order to provide a consistent customer experience regardless of the location. Many other designers return to academia as either adjunct or tenured faculty, so they can share their talents with new generations of designers.

Students about to launch a career in interior design enjoy a wide array of specialties to choose from and a customer base that grows every year. Whether they decide to run a small firm or join a larger company, today's emerging designers can expect to improve the lives of their clients.

Start your interior design career today by requesting information from one of our highly respected interior design schools! Find a school near you >>

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