Interior design looks at both function and aesthetics.
Interior designers plan, design and furnish the interiors of residential, commercial or industrial buildings. Starting salaries for interior designers vary depending on training, geographical location, industry and other factors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides salary data on a percentile basis. Taking the lower end (tenth percentile) as likely starting salaries, the estimated national starting salary for interior designers as of May 2009 was $26,980. The mean salary for the 25th percentile was $35,220.
Median Salary
As of May 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median salary for all interior designers was $46,180, with 50 percent earning between $35,220 and $63,570.
Salary by Industry
The highest-paying industries for interior designers are the Federal Executive Branch, employment services and management, scientific and technical consulting services. However, these industries employ only a few interior designers. Most interior designers work in specialized design services and the second most work in architectural, engineering and related services, according to the BLS.
Salary by State
The highest-paying states for interior designers as of May 2009 were the District of Columbia, New York, Alaska, Nevada and Connecticut, with mean annual salaries ranging from $61,150 to $67,550.
Training
Most interior designers have two to four years of training from professional design schools or from colleges and universities. Graduates with a bachelor's degree usually qualify for a formal design apprenticeship program, while people with less training typically qualify as assistants to interior designers. Some states require interior designers to be licensed, which involves passing an examination. Novice interior designers usually receive on-the-job training and normally need one to three years of training before they can advance to higher-level positions, according to the BLS.
Career Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment for interior designers to grow by 19 percent between 2008 and 2018 and also expects a lot of competition for interior design jobs. The Bureau also notes that because design services are considered a luxury expense, the demand for interior designers may be subject to fluctuations in the economy.
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