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Architecture and Interior Design Firms
Gensler, Perkins&Will, HOK
Interior Designers
Interior designers turn empty or outdated rooms into spaces that work for a specific purpose, whether that's a home, office, store, or restaurant. The job is distinct because every idea has to satisfy taste, budget, accessibility rules, and building codes at the same time, so the creative part is always constrained by practical limits.
Also known as Interior DesignerInterior Design ConsultantCommercial Interior DesignerResidential Interior DesignerInterior Design Associate
Median Salary
$63,490
Mean $71,430
U.S. Workforce
~70K
7.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.2%
87.1K to 89.9K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Interior Designers sits in the Creative category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~70K workers, with a median annual pay of $63,490 and roughly 7.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 87.1 K in 2024 to 89.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design or a related field, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Interior Design Assistant and can progress toward Design Manager. High-value skills usually include AutoCAD, Revit & SketchUp, Space Planning & Floor Plans, and ADA Compliance & Building Code Research, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and Speaking.
Core Responsibilities
- Meet with clients to learn how they want the space to look, how they will use it, and how much they can spend.
- Measure rooms and build layouts that decide where furniture, fixtures, and walkways should go.
- Choose colors, materials, lighting, furniture, and finishes, including recycled or low-impact options when they fit the project.
- Check plans against accessibility rules and local safety or building codes before the design is finalized.
Keep exploring: more Creative careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Meet with clients to learn how they want the space to look, how they will use it, and how much they can spend.
02 Measure rooms and build layouts that decide where furniture, fixtures, and walkways should go.
03 Choose colors, materials, lighting, furniture, and finishes, including recycled or low-impact options when they fit the project.
04 Check plans against accessibility rules and local safety or building codes before the design is finalized.
05 Estimate how much materials and labor will cost, then adjust the design so it stays within budget.
06 Create drawings and detailed plan sets, then review contractor drawings and answer questions during construction.
Industries That Hire
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Commercial Real Estate and Office Design
JLL, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield
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Hospitality Design
Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt
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Retail and Experiential Design
Apple, Nike, Sephora
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Residential Remodeling and Home Furnishings
IKEA, The Home Depot, Lowe's
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a creative job, with a median salary of $63,490 and a mean salary of $71,430.
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There are about 7.8 thousand annual openings, so people can still find steady opportunities even though growth is modest.
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The work mixes visual design with practical problem-solving, including accessibility, safety, and sustainability decisions.
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BLS says no work experience or on-the-job training is required at entry, so the degree path is clear and direct.
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You can move between residential, office, retail, and hospitality work, which keeps the job from feeling repetitive.
Challenges
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Job growth is only 3.2% through 2034, so the field is not expanding quickly.
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Demand rises and falls with construction, remodeling, and real estate spending, which makes the work vulnerable to downturns.
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A lot of time goes into revisions and budget tradeoffs because client taste, code rules, and cost rarely line up cleanly.
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The career ceiling can be limited if you stay in pure design; better pay often means moving into management, sales, or firm ownership.
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The job is only partly remote because site visits, contractor coordination, and material selection often need in-person work.
Career Progression
Interior Design Assistant
0-2 years
$42K-$52K
Supports senior designers with measurements, drawings, sourcing, and client materials while learning how projects move from concept to installation.
Interior Designer
2-6 years
$55K-$76K
Handles client meetings, layouts, material choices, code checks, and cost estimates on projects large enough to require independent judgment.
Senior Interior Designer THIS ROLE
6-10 years
$78K-$98K
Leads bigger or more complex projects, supervises junior staff, and makes tradeoffs among style, budget, and technical constraints.
Design Manager
10-15 years
$100K-$125K
Oversees multiple projects or a small studio, handles client expectations, and coordinates designers, vendors, and contractors.
Education Paths
Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design or a related field
The main entry point, held by 84% of workers in this role.
Associate's Degree in Interior Design, Drafting, or a related 2-year program
A smaller path, held by 4% of workers, but it usually needs a strong portfolio and extra experience to compete with four-year graduates.
Master's Degree in Interior Design or a related specialty
An advanced option, held by 4% of workers, often used by designers who want leadership, teaching, or a niche focus.
Interior design certificate or software-focused credential
Not a standard entry pattern in the distribution, but a useful add-on for people who already have design training and want stronger AutoCAD, Revit, or sustainability skills.
Key Skills
Technical
AutoCAD, Revit & SketchUp 92%
Space Planning & Floor Plans 90%
ADA Compliance & Building Code Research 88%
Client Briefs, Mood Boards & Presentations 86%
Construction Drawings & Shop Drawing Review 84%
Materials, Finishes & Furnishings Specification 82%
Budget Estimates & Quantity Takeoffs 80%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingReading ComprehensionCoordinationSocial Perceptiveness Job Outlook and Trends
+3.2%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
7.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 87.1K to 89.9 K over the next decade, representing 3.2% growth. Around 7.8 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.