How to Become an Interior Designer
Plan, design, and furnish interior spaces of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings for functionality and aesthetics. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $67,190 per year and about average projected job growth.
Median pay
$67,190/yr
Job growth
3%
Openings / yr
7,800
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Space Planning
- Color and Material Selection
- CAD Software
- Building Codes
- Client Communication
Helpful certifications
- NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification)
- LEED AP
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
50/100
Work-life balance
65/100
Stress level
32/100
Satisfaction
75/100
Related careers
- Architect$99,280 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Interior Designer make?
The median pay for an Interior Designer is $67,190 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become an Interior Designer?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Fine Arts, and Environmental Design.
Is Interior Designer a growing field?
The BLS projects about average demand for this role, about 3% over the decade, with roughly 7,800 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does an Interior Designer use most?
Common skills for this role are Space Planning, Color and Material Selection, CAD Software, Building Codes, and Client Communication.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.