Description
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.
Interests
- Artistic
- Realistic
Work Values
- Achievement
- Independence
- Relationships
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Tasks
- Design plans to be safe and to be compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Use computer-aided drafting (CAD) and related software to produce construction documents.
- Research health and safety code requirements to inform design.
- Confer with client to determine factors affecting planning of interior environments, such as budget, architectural preferences, purpose, and function.
- Advise client on interior design factors, such as space planning, layout and use of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination.
Work Activities
- Thinking Creatively
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
Detailed Work Activities
- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Technology Skills
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Presentation software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Electronic mail software
- Video creation and editing software
Abilities
- Fluency of Ideas
- Originality
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Coordination
Knowledge
- Design
- Customer and Personal Service
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue for that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
National Council Certified Interior DesignerCertifying Organization
National Council for Interior Design Qualification
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
ALA Certified Lighting ConsultantCertifying Organization
American Lighting Association
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
ALA Lighting SpecialistCertifying Organization
American Lighting Association
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certified Interior DecoratorCertifying Organization
Certified Interior Decorators International
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Lighting Manufacturers RepresentativeCertifying Organization
American Lighting Association
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Interior DesignerCertifying Organization
Council for Interior Design Qualification
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Interior Design ProfessionalCertifying Organization
National Council for Interior Design Qualification
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Lighting Management ConsultantCertifying Organization
International Association of Lighting Management Companies
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Kitchen DesignerCertifying Organization
National Kitchen & Bath Association
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $49,981 |
| Median (50%) | $59,322 |
| High (90%) | $87,010 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $58,061 |
| Mid Level | $73,245 |
| Senior Level | $87,446 |
| Expert Level | $114,209 |
Employability
There are currently 92,200 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 95,900 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 4%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 4%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
Career Resources
Search All Careers
Compare Careers
Income Outlook
Career Pathways
Career Clusters
Job Suite Home
CV Templates
Resume Templates
Cover Letter Templates
All Templates
Job Resources
Blog Articles
Podcast