Interior Designer Salary
If you have an eye for design and you can turn someone else’s vision into a reality, you may be the perfect interior designer. Interior designers do more than just pick out couches and drapes. They have to coordinate color schemes and come up with creative solutions that are livable for different types of clients. An interior designers must know how to assess the needs and the style preferences of their clients before they take on a project. While some designers are not picky with the jobs they take, others have are so desired that they must turn away projects that do not interest them. When you are looking for more than just a job you need to consider the nature of work, the salary you will earn, and the duties you will perform on a regular basis. Research the interior designer salary, the responsibilities of a designer, and what type of school you need to complete to decide if this is the right career move for you.
The Various Duties of an Interior Designer
Before you can compare interior designer salary ranges you need to understand what you will do on a daily basis. No salary is worth doing something you do not enjoy. The key to finding the perfect career is finding a field that you love. Many people say the best job is a job where you do not feel like you are working. An interior designer will plan, design, and furnish the inside of residential and commercial buildings. They will design the inside of a space so it is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. When you work in the field, it is common to specialize in a specific area of design. Some designers love to work in kitchens while others prefer to focus on green design. The interior design wages you earn may vary depending on the specialty you choose.
What Type of Degree or Certificate Do You Need to Become an Interior Decorator?
While there are no requirements stating you must have a degree to enter the profession, the best way to snag a position as an entry-level interior designer is to earn your bachelor’s degree. If you are looking for an accredited program that is recognized by all of the best agencies in the world make sure you browse a list of programs published by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design or the National Council for Interior Design Accreditation. You can complete several different types of programs offered by several different types of institutions. Some of the programs are offered by:
- State colleges
- Private universities
- Vocational schools
- Apprenticeships
- Art schools
The best schools will cover several different areas of study. These areas include: colors and fabrics, architecture, computer-aided design, ergonomics, drawing, ethics, psychology, perspective, and spatial planning. Each of these areas of study are important for interior designers.
How Much Will You Earn on your Interior Designer Salary?
Now that you understand what it takes to become an interior designer, you need to research the average interior designer salary so you can discover just how much you will make after you finish school and find your first job. Thanks to popular home improvement programs on TV, there is a growing demand for qualified interior decorators. Figures show that the employment in the field is expected to grow by as much as 20 percent by the year 2016. This means that the average wages for designers is only expected to grow. Currently, the average salary for an interior designer is $44,000 per year. This salary was reported only for salaried employees and not independent contractors.
What Factors Can Affect How Much You Earn?
As you may know, there are several different factors that will affect how much you earn in any profession. As an interior designer, one the the biggest influential factors is where you plan on working. You need to live in an area where people have a need for your services. Those who work in more affluent neighborhoods tend to make larger salaries. Another factor to consider is the size of the firm you will be working for. If you work for a large firm it does not always mean you will earn a larger interior designer salary. When there are more professionals on the payroll, it can drive down your salary.
In your first two years of working as a salaried designer you should expect to earn between $35,000 and $48,000 per year. After you gain experience, you can average between $40,000 and $55,000 per year. If you ever want to become your own boss, the interior designer salary may go up to as high as $81,000. Make sure you research realistic salaries in your area online and apply to the firms who are known to pay the best.