Interior Designers
Interior designers plan and design the internal spaces of buildings to be functional, attractive, and suited to their purpose. They work in offices, client spaces, retail environments, hospitals, hotels, and homes. The role involves selecting materials, colors, furniture, and layouts while considering both aesthetics and practical use.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against interior designers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
Interior designers spend time meeting with clients to understand project requirements and budgets, sketching concepts and creating design layouts, and selecting furnishings and materials from suppliers. They use design software to produce visual renderings and floor plans. Much work happens in an office, though designers visit job sites and showrooms regularly to assess spaces and source products. Projects move through phases from initial concept through construction oversight.
Who this work suits
Holland code ARC. Artistic work is creating and designing, with room for self-expression. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You'd do well in this work if you enjoy solving practical problems with creative visual solutions and have a strong eye for color, form, and spatial arrangement. Interior design suits people drawn to both artistic expression and realistic, measurable outcomes—you need to make spaces that look good and actually function for how people will use them.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- INTERIOR DESIGNER · HQ USAF and Support Elements · Arlington, Virginia · $102415–$158322
- Interior Designer · Veterans Health Administration · Nashville, Tennessee · $74678–$97087
- Interior Designer · Veterans Health Administration · Albuquerque, New Mexico · $75489–$98141
- Interior Designer - Intermittent - Not to Exceed 1 Year · Veterans Health Administration · Phoenix, Arizona · $78117–$101558
- Interior Designer · Veterans Health Administration · Orlando, Florida · $74678–$97087
- Interior Designer · Veterans Health Administration · Salisbury, North Carolina · $76343–$99252
- Supervisory Interior Designer · Veterans Health Administration · Gainesville, Florida · $89508–$116362
- Interior Designer (Intermittent) · Veterans Health Administration · Loma Linda, California · $87061–$113185
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $75,980 | $98,450 | $127,070 | 620 |
| Wyoming | $64,300 | $96,100 | $105,160 | 90 |
| California | $63,370 | $80,230 | $102,940 | 8,500 |
| Massachusetts | $61,640 | $80,110 | $95,410 | 1,580 |
| Colorado | $61,790 | $78,390 | $102,510 | 2,300 |
| Washington | $63,370 | $76,570 | $96,470 | 1,330 |
| Illinois | $59,870 | $76,290 | $93,090 | 2,570 |
| New York | $48,980 | $75,580 | $93,100 | 5,340 |
| New Jersey | $58,810 | $74,020 | $104,060 | 1,670 |
| Minnesota | $54,070 | $73,270 | $83,920 | 1,220 |
| Georgia | $52,750 | $71,760 | $94,530 | 3,050 |
| Arkansas | $57,560 | $69,990 | $99,850 | 740 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Healthcare Interior Designer (CHID) — American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers
- Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) — Council for Interior Design Qualification
- Interior Design Professional (IPPX) — National Council for Interior Design Qualification
- National Council Certified Interior Designer (NCIDQ) — National Council for Interior Design Qualification
- Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP) — National Association of the Remodeling Industry
- Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD) — National Kitchen & Bath Association
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against interior designers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 27-1025.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.