Interior Design Career Statistics

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  • There are about 71,000 interior designers in the U.S.
  • Many designers are self-employed -- 1 in 3 is the overall average, which is much higher than the average across all occupations.
  • About 30% of interior designers work in specialized design services; 14% work for architectural or landscape firms; and 9% work in home furnshing and furniture stores.
  • Many designers do freelance work in addition to holding a salaried job.
  • Interior design employment is projected to grow 19% through 2018.
  • Interior design is subject to government regulation; 22 states, plus Washington, D.C., require interior designers to be licensed or registered. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam is the standard test.
  • Washington, DC has one of the highest concentrations of interior designers; they earn an average of $61,400.
  • Average salary for interior designers is $51,020 per year.
  • The highest paid designers earn an average of $82,750.
  • Those working with architectural and engineering firms earn an average of $53,420.
  • Designers working in specialized design services earn $52,490.
  • Furniture stores pay interior designers $46,170.

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