How to Become an Interior Designer in Idaho
The walls, doorways, window styles and other components of your home were likely placed there because of building laws, accessibility standards and design techniques. These are all areas of knowledge in which an interior designer needs to be well-educated, in order to have a successful career. In addition, they will need to communicate thoroughly with business owners, homeowners and other clients about desires and expectations. This will allow interior designers to build spaces that are tailored to the lifestyles or business needs of their clients.
Requirements for Becoming an Interior Designer in Idaho
In Idaho, interior designers are not required to follow any statewide regulations before finding employment. There are also no national regulations that exist, allowing employers to decide what will qualify potential candidates for hire. In most cases, this involves a bachelor’s degree in interior design.
While a bachelor’s degree will help you land entry-level employment within this career field, you must take advantage of additional opportunities in order to gain more experience and build a fruitful career. You may choose to do so by going back to school to earn a master’s degree, completing an internship or apprenticeship program, or earning voluntary national certification.
The following topics may be covered in an Interior Design program:
- Design Elements
- furnishings
- materials and textiles
- Lighting
- Textures
- Architectural and furniture history
- Fine art
Obtaining higher education will increase ones chances at finding employment in the interior design industry which is why it might be wise to consider the various interior design programs.
None of these are required in order to find employment, however they will likely help you land positions that require higher levels of responsibility and thus, offer higher levels of compensation.
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Interior Design Schools in Idaho
Schooling is a key component to your success as an interior designer. Each program below is designed to educate you in the fundamentals and techniques of interior design:
- University of Idaho is located in the city of Moscow, and offers a nationally-accredited Bachelor of Interior Design degree. The program can be completed in four semesters, and tuition is currently about $8,000 per year for Idaho residents.
- Brigham Young University Idaho offers two bachelor’s degree programs in interior design, which each take four years to complete. Tuition is about $4,000 per semester.
- Penn Foster College offers an associate degree program in interior design, which can be earned entirely online in just two years. The program consists of 67 credit hours and tuition is currently $79 per credit hour. Penn Foster also runs frequent specials offering significant discounts on the price of tuition.
National Certification for Interior Designers in Idaho
In Idaho, you can work as an interior designer without receiving national certification, however, higher profile clients do prefer to hire a licensed interior designer. Earning national certification is voluntary, and is offered through the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ).
To take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam, you will need to fulfill a prerequisite of a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of work experience. There are also options available to sit for this exam if you have earned a degree that took less than four years to complete, as long as you’ve had an additional three-to-four years of work experience to compliment your degree.
The NCIDQ exam requires initial payment of a $225 application fee. The exam consists of three parts, which each carry their own registration fees. The Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX) section carries a $295 registration fee, the Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX) carries a registration fee of $350, and the Practicum Exam (PRAC) has a $455 registration fee. Passing all three parts will allow you to receive your NCIDQ certification. To maintain this certification, you are required to pay an annual fee of $75.
You may opt to complete the IDFX portion of the exam on its own if you meet educational requirements, but have yet to fulfill work experience requirements. To take this portion of the exam only, you will need to pay a $95 application fee, as well as the $295 registration fee. You will not be able to earn NCIDQ certification however, until you fulfill work experience requirements and also complete the IDPX and PRAC portions of the exam.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
The career outlook for interior designers in Idaho showcases a significant update in salary data, with interior designers in the state now earning an average annual salary of $61,310, closely aligning with the national average. This marks a substantial increase from the previously reported average annual salary. In Idaho, the lowest 10% of earners make $33,050 or less, while the highest 10% can earn up to $99,990 or more, indicating a broad spectrum of earning potential within the profession.
National vs. Idaho Salaries for Interior Designers
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $36,610 | $61,590 | $101,550 |
| Idaho | $33,050 | $61,310 | $99,990 |
Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Idaho for Interior Designers
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual QL (25%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual QU (75%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | $26,010 | $45,330 | $62,490 | $72,130 | $98,500 |
| Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $43,980 | $50,450 | $67,060 | $76,340 | $124,990 |
Interior Designer Trends in Idaho
The employment outlook for Interior Designers in Idaho is positive, with a projected growth of 12% from 2020 to 2030. This growth rate indicates a healthy job market for interior designers in the state, with the number of employed professionals expected to increase from 260 in 2020 to 290 by 2030. Annually, there are projected to be 30 job openings in Idaho for interior designers over the decade, which includes new positions due to growth as well as replacements for vacancies created by workers leaving the field. This data underscores the robust demand for interior designers in Idaho, reflecting the state’s dynamic and growing design industry.
Employement Trends
| Location | Employment (Start Year) | Projected Employment (End Year) | Projected Growth | Projected Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 260 (2020) | 290 (2030) | 12% | 30 |
| United States | 94,900 (2022) | 98,700 (2032) | 4% | 9,000 |
Souces of data:
The data provided in the summaries and tables comes from the O*NET Online website, specifically from the pages detailing employment trends and wage information for Interior Designers in Idaho and nationwide. The employment trend data is sourced from Projections Central and the wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the year 2022-2032. These sources are reputable for their comprehensive and up-to-date labor market information, including occupation-specific employment projections and wage statistics across the United States.
Working as an Interior Designer in Idaho
Idaho will see a significant increase in the job market for interior designers in the coming years, according to PMP data. This indicates an exciting time to get involved and watch firsthand how the industry will grow.
Idaho cities like Grangeville, Fenn and Lewiston are where some of the highest paid interior designers in this state can be found working.
Work will be available at home furnishing retailers, construction firms, interior design studios and more. You may even choose to build a name for yourself by finding opportunities to work as a freelance interior designer or opening your own interior design business. If you are well-educated in the technical aspects of this career, and have a passion for visual appeal, you will greatly increase your chances of reaching success in this career field.
FAQs
What is the difference between Interior design and Interior Architecture?
Interior architecture focuses more on structural design, with an emphasis on adaptive reuse and the remodeling of existing buildings. Whereas interior design is the practice of creating interior atmospheres – focusing on finishes, furniture and color palettes.