About Jobs in Interior Design

Interior designers are used often when homeowners build new houses or want to give their home a new look. People in this field have some kind of artistic talent. They work with colors, textures and shapes to help make a house look unique. Most interior designers spend a lot of time working closely with their clients.

Education

Interior designers must have some formal education. Students who earn associate degrees in interior design usually start their careers as interior design assistants. Most students who earn a four year degree start their careers in an apprenticeship program. Most coursework involves designing furniture, drawing and spatial planning.

License

A majority of states require interior designers to obtain a license. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification provides a licensing exam that first requires six years of combined education and experience. Two of the six years must be postsecondary education. 

Jobs

According to the bureau of labor statistics, there were 71,700 interior designing jobs in 2008. There is an expected 19 percent job growth by 2018. Many interior designers work for large designing firms, while others work as independent contractors or freelance work. 

Compensation

The average salary in the interior designing industry in May 2008 was $44,950. Designers working for large firms tend to earn the highest salaries and have more stable jobs. Retail store designers normally work as a commissioned employee, which means pay and amount of work is irregular.

Working Conditions

The amount and kept hours for an interior designer varies a lot. Designers need to fit their schedule around their clients and employers. Some meetings with clients can involve nights and weekends, even holidays. The job requires a lot of flexibility.