5 answers
Kennedi
Student
Bowie, Maryland
3
Questions
Updated
690 views
What are the different career paths in interior design, and how do factors like specialization, licensing, and experience affect job opportunities and earning potential?
I want to ask this question because I’m interested in pursuing a career in interior design, but I’m not sure which path would be the best fit for me. I want to learn how different specializations and licensing requirements can affect the types of jobs available and potential earnings. So if I understand this, it will help me know my decision about my education and career goals.
Login to comment
5 answers
Mrinalini K
Project manager
12
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Mrinalini’s Answer
Interior design is full of exciting paths—residential, commercial, and specialized niches like sustainable design or luxury spaces. Your choices shape your future!
Mauricio Chaves
Interior Designer
50
Answers
Doorn, Netherlands
Updated
Mauricio’s Answer
Dear Kennedi,
Interior Design offers many career paths, and there isn’t a single “right” one. The best fit depends on YOUR interests, strengths and how you want your career to grow over time.
Some designers focus on residential projects, working directly with homeowners. Others move into commercial design such as offices, hospitality, retail or healthcare. There are also paths in home staging, furniture or product design, FF&E, project management, stylin, and virtual design services. Many professionals start broadly and naturally specialize as they gain experience.
Specialization can help you stand out in a competitive market, but it doesn’t have to happen immediately. Licensing depends on location and the type of work you want to do — in some regions it’s required for technical or commercial projects, while residential and styling roles may not require it at all. That’s why understanding local regulations is important when planning your education.
When it comes to job opportunities and earning potential, experience plays a huge role. A strong portfolio, real project exposure, good communication and problem-solving skills often matter just as much as formal education. Over time, designers who combine technical knowledge with soft skills and a clear professional direction tend to have more flexibility and growth.
My advice is to explore the field first — through courses, internships, or entry-level roles — and allow your path to evolve. Interior Design is a diverse and creative profession, and your career doesn’t have to follow a single formula. ---> For some kind of information, courses and programs, just check National Design Academy (NDA) site ;)
May the force be with you!
Interior Design offers many career paths, and there isn’t a single “right” one. The best fit depends on YOUR interests, strengths and how you want your career to grow over time.
Some designers focus on residential projects, working directly with homeowners. Others move into commercial design such as offices, hospitality, retail or healthcare. There are also paths in home staging, furniture or product design, FF&E, project management, stylin, and virtual design services. Many professionals start broadly and naturally specialize as they gain experience.
Specialization can help you stand out in a competitive market, but it doesn’t have to happen immediately. Licensing depends on location and the type of work you want to do — in some regions it’s required for technical or commercial projects, while residential and styling roles may not require it at all. That’s why understanding local regulations is important when planning your education.
When it comes to job opportunities and earning potential, experience plays a huge role. A strong portfolio, real project exposure, good communication and problem-solving skills often matter just as much as formal education. Over time, designers who combine technical knowledge with soft skills and a clear professional direction tend to have more flexibility and growth.
My advice is to explore the field first — through courses, internships, or entry-level roles — and allow your path to evolve. Interior Design is a diverse and creative profession, and your career doesn’t have to follow a single formula. ---> For some kind of information, courses and programs, just check National Design Academy (NDA) site ;)
May the force be with you!
Moyra Paulina Martinez Romo
I help with a landscape non profit in Mexico and teach incoming interior design freshman students at Arizona state university all while pursing my masters
2
Answers
Glendale, Arizona
Updated
Moyra Paulina’s Answer
You could honestly try going for any design discipline. In my undergrad I studied interiors and architecture and doing my masters in interior architecture and have worked for landscape, interiors, architecture and engineering. Don’t be afraid to reach out to professionals in the field to grab a coffee and chat because through there I learned more than what any research could have given me
Monica Lewis
Interior design
1
Answer
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Monica’s Answer
I would suggest giving yourself time to explore before choosing a specialty. You'll work harder at something you enjoy and find interesting, and in the beginning of your career, you will have to work hard. Taking specific training and getting certifications will accelerate your learning, and you'll also make great industry connections so pursue whatever eduction opportunities come your way. Don't rule out careers in Interior Design that others forget, being a great industry rep, showroom specialist or product designer for a product category you love can be rewarding.
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Kennedi !
The steps towards a career in Interior Design are not very complicated but you will have to dedicate a lot of time during your education for it.
First, you choose a design school or a University that has a strong Interior Design Program and Major in Interior Design, obtaining your Bachelors Degree. After obtaining your Bachelors Degree in Interior Design, you will need to obtain verifiable work experience, typically 3,520 hours (equivalent to two years of full-time work). This experience must be documented and approved by a qualified professional, such as a licensed interior designer, architect, or engineer. The experience should cover key areas like programming, design development, construction documents, and project coordination.
Once education and experience requirements are met, you then can apply to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification certification examination, which consists of three parts: the Interior Design Fundamentals Exam , the Interior Design Professional Exam , and the Interior Design Practicum Exam.
After this, you can consider Licensing which right now is not mandatory in Maryland, but check this when you get to that stage as it will be years from now. You will keep updated as you go along. I would suggest getting Licensure regardless if mandatory or not so that it will be useful to compete for work and add credibility.
All along these steps, you will need to make strong contacts in your academic Interior Design Department and it requires lot of heavy networking in school and in the community. It is an opinion business and it helps if you have lots of contacts, people that know you. Your contacts will be crucial for after you graduate as that is when you'll have to obtain work without yet being certified. Your interior design professors can advise you about this at the time you need employment before you graduate. A good department will prepare you for this, so no need to overthink it.
There is no telling what an interior designer's salary would be. You will have to know that once you start working. You can be employed at a company or freelance and work on a few projects at the same time. It would be impossible to say how your salary would be. You will learn what to charge and what the going pay is at the time you're ready to work which will be about four or five years from now approximately depending on how much high school you have left.
My suggestion is to learn all types of interior design and be prepared to do a variety of environments. Try not to think of it as "specializing". As an interior designer, you will be trained to know what to do walking into any space. This will provide more opportunities for you than just doing one type of venue. In the creative arts, be as versatile as you can be and your chances for work will increase.
The places to start networking with are the American Society of Interior Designers Maryland chapter, Montgomery College and Anne Arundel Community College, the websites Handshake and LinkedIn, which feature listings tailored to Maryland’s interior design market, and attending events hosted by organizations such as the International Interior Design Association and the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
The steps towards a career in Interior Design are not very complicated but you will have to dedicate a lot of time during your education for it.
First, you choose a design school or a University that has a strong Interior Design Program and Major in Interior Design, obtaining your Bachelors Degree. After obtaining your Bachelors Degree in Interior Design, you will need to obtain verifiable work experience, typically 3,520 hours (equivalent to two years of full-time work). This experience must be documented and approved by a qualified professional, such as a licensed interior designer, architect, or engineer. The experience should cover key areas like programming, design development, construction documents, and project coordination.
Once education and experience requirements are met, you then can apply to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification certification examination, which consists of three parts: the Interior Design Fundamentals Exam , the Interior Design Professional Exam , and the Interior Design Practicum Exam.
After this, you can consider Licensing which right now is not mandatory in Maryland, but check this when you get to that stage as it will be years from now. You will keep updated as you go along. I would suggest getting Licensure regardless if mandatory or not so that it will be useful to compete for work and add credibility.
All along these steps, you will need to make strong contacts in your academic Interior Design Department and it requires lot of heavy networking in school and in the community. It is an opinion business and it helps if you have lots of contacts, people that know you. Your contacts will be crucial for after you graduate as that is when you'll have to obtain work without yet being certified. Your interior design professors can advise you about this at the time you need employment before you graduate. A good department will prepare you for this, so no need to overthink it.
There is no telling what an interior designer's salary would be. You will have to know that once you start working. You can be employed at a company or freelance and work on a few projects at the same time. It would be impossible to say how your salary would be. You will learn what to charge and what the going pay is at the time you're ready to work which will be about four or five years from now approximately depending on how much high school you have left.
My suggestion is to learn all types of interior design and be prepared to do a variety of environments. Try not to think of it as "specializing". As an interior designer, you will be trained to know what to do walking into any space. This will provide more opportunities for you than just doing one type of venue. In the creative arts, be as versatile as you can be and your chances for work will increase.
The places to start networking with are the American Society of Interior Designers Maryland chapter, Montgomery College and Anne Arundel Community College, the websites Handshake and LinkedIn, which feature listings tailored to Maryland’s interior design market, and attending events hosted by organizations such as the International Interior Design Association and the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !