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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Interior Designers

Median Salary
62,510
Job Outlook
+4%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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 sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

56%

Self-employed

40%

Private not for profit

2%

Federal Government

1%

State and local government

1%

What is the job outlook?

Employment of interior designers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 8,800 openings for interior designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$31,710

10%

$62,510

Median

$81,200

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    84%

  • Some college

    4%

  • Master's degree

    4%

  • Associate's degree

    4%

  • First professional degree

    4%


Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Interior Design
  • Interior Architecture
  • Facilities Planning and Management
  • Healthcare Environment Design/Architecture
  • Textile Science
  • Housing and Human Environments, Other

Skills and Interests

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid


What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Design
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Building and Construction

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Decision Making

    Mid

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

  • Physical Activity

    Low


What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Artistic

You love creating things and expressing yourself through art, writing and music.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.