Interior Designers
Description OES Code: 34041
Plan, design, and furnish interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Formulate design which is practical, aesthetic and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving life style. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design. Exclude Merchandise Display Designers.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $14.88
25th Percentile $17.03
50th Percentile $22.77
75th Percentile $27.85

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Work hours are irregular to accommodate clients and may often involve nights and weekends. They generally work under deadlines and may work overtime to finish a job. Self-employed designers tend to work longer hours.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 4,300
Projected Employment 2008 6,100
Percent Change 1998-2008 41.9%
Separations 1998-2008 800

Employment Trends by California County

Overall, the employment of designers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2008. In addition to employment growth, many job openings will result from the need to replace designers who leave the field. Rising demand for professional design of private homes, offices, restaurants and other retail establishments, and institutions that care for the rapidly growing elderly population should spur employment growth of interior designers.

Advancement
Promotion for Interior Designers usually consists of assignment to more complex jobs with larger budgets and salary increases. Very talented Interior Designers may advance to the head of a decorating or design department. They may become interior furnishings coordinators or be given other supervisory positions in department stores or larger decorating or design firms.

Education and Training
Entry into the profession of interior design usually requires graduation from an accredited college, university or professional school of interior design. The course of study should include principles of design, history, art, free hand and mechanical drawing, and basic architecture. Correspondence or home study courses are not considered a substitute for formal education. New designers should expect to continue their education on the job. It generally takes three to five years of practical experience to become fully qualified. Assignments in selling or shopping provide
excellent on-the-job training. Part-time or summer employment in the furniture department of retail stores or large architectural firms provide good basic training for students and may lead to a permanent job.

Skills & Other Requirements
To succeed as an interior designer, one must possess a combination of talent, personality, and a healthy competitive sense. Years of experience and training are necessary in order to advance. A beginning Interior Designer must accept jobs that offer basic practical experience and put up with long hours and difficult clients. Good computer skills, particularly with regard to drawing software programs, are becoming more and more desirable.

References
California Occupational Guide #189

Related Occupations: Commercial Artists, Fashion Designers

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)