What Are the Factors on Which an Interior Designer’s Salary Depends?

By: GeraldJenkins

If you want to join the field of interior designing, then it is very important to have a good idea of the salary. An interior designer is different from an interior decorator. An interior decorator does not need to know as many things. Since the skills required for an interior designer are many, so the earnings are also potentially more.

Aesthetics is the prime skill needed for an interior decorator. But in case of an interior designer, safety and functionality are also important along with artistic ability. Thus art and engineering both are very important skills.

The main difficulty of an interior designer lies with the fact that she/he might be required to start working on the place before it is even properly built. An interior designer does this by analyzing the blueprint of the place. She/he also tries to feel the space and creates proposals accordingly. Needless to say, these proposals are based on the basis of the collected knowledge.

An interior designer is expected to have some credentials and qualifications. Depending on these two factors, the salary will vary. The typical salary ranges between $22,000 and $40,000. Along with the degree of specialization, the salary will vary.

You can achieve a degree on residential design or commercial design and your salary will vary according to this choice of field. Kind of employer is another main factor that determines the salary amount. This means that the salary will differ according to the type of firm you work in, whether it is retail store, architectural firm or a design firm.

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Your reputation and experience also influence your earnings. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2004, the median earnings for interior designers was $40,000 every year. Interior designers who specialized in engineering or architectural services earned the highest followed by “design services” and “in-house” designers for retail stores of furniture.

The salary can extend up to six figures annually depending on experience. The basic way to start up in this profession is to first find a job with an architectural or design firm. Then when you have enough reputation and an established client base, you can start your own business.

When you become self employed, the charges are not monthly but there is a per-hour “consulting fee” or a “flat project fee”. The earnings also differ a lot between individual designers. However a 2006 survey showed that average annual salaries could be as high as $51,000 and in fact some designers could even earn more than $100,000.

Licensure can increase salary.

Licensure is done by the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ). In fact, there are some states where it is not possible to practice interior designing without first getting licensed. You can in fact also register with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) to boast of a professional association and increase your earnings as well as reputation.