How to Become an Interior Designer in Nebraska
Do you enjoy the visual arts? Do you have ideas for a home, office space, kitchen or bathroom that you’d like to bring to life? If you answered yes to both questions, you may find that interior design is a great fit for you.
Interior designers are responsible for much more than deciding the color schemes and decorative elements that will be included in a particular space. This profession also requires an in-depth understanding of human behavior, building codes and laws, as well as universal accessibility requirements. Expanding your knowledge on these aspects of the trade will allow you to create a solid foundation for a successful career as an interior designer.
Requirements for Becoming an Interior Designer in Nebraska
Since there are no national laws in place to regulate this profession, each state decides its own laws to govern interior design. In Nebraska, no such laws currently exist. Interior designers are allowed to practice independently, unless they wish to work in code-based environments. In these cases, interior designers need to consult with an architect. The Great Plains Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) advocates for legislation in the interior design profession that would allow interior designers to practice independently in code-based environments.
Earning a bachelor’s degree will help you find employment more quickly. You can also find employment with a lesser degree, as long as you also have at least two-to-three years of work experience within the trade. In addition to internships and apprenticeships, national certification is another great way to advance within this field, although it is not mandatory in order to practice in this state.
Professional interior design organizations prefer to hire candidates with a higher education. Prospective students can expect some of the following topics to be covered in an Interior design program:
- Architectural and furniture history
- Materials and textiles
- Space planning
- Color
- Furnishings
- Lighting
- Safety and accessibility
- Building codes and regulations
Interior Design Schools in Nebraska
Earning an education through an interior design program is an important part of developing the skillset you’ll need to do your job effectively. Consider one of the following options should you wish to enroll in an interior design degree program:
- University of Nebraska – Lincoln offers a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, which will take four years to complete. Tuition and fees are currently about $9,000 per year.
- University of Nebraska at Kearney offers a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, which will also take four years to complete. Tuition and fees are about $7,500 per year for in-state students.
- Penn Foster College allows students to complete an Associate’s in Interior Design in just two years. The program takes place entirely online and consists of 67 credits. Tuition is currently $79 per credit, and Penn Foster runs frequent specials offering significant discounts on the cost of tuition.
National Certification for Interior Designers in Nebraska
To work as an interior designer in Nebraska, you will not need to earn national certification, but the benefits of deciding to earn this certification could include a possible increase in compensation with your employer or a surge in clientele for freelance interior designers.
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certification can only be earned through the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). Eligibility requirements include a bachelor’s degree along with two years of work experience. If you have completed a lesser degree, you will still be able to earn certification as long as you also have at least two-to-three years of work experience to complement your degree.
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification examination(NCIDQ exam) requires an initial application fee of $225. Once your application receives approval, you will be required to register for each section of the exam individually. The exam sections are as follows:
- Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX)
- Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX)
- Practicum Exam (PRAC)
The IDFX portion requires a registration fee of $295, the IDPX carries a registration fee of $350, and the PRAC will require a registration fee of $455. Upon successful completion of all three sections, you will earn NCIDQ certification. Maintaining this certification also requires payment of an annual fee of $75.
If you have recently graduated a bachelor’s or master’s degree program, or if you are in the last year of a degree program and have not yet had the opportunity to fulfill the necessary work experience requirements, you will be allowed to sit for the IDFX portion of the exam only. This requires payment of a $95 application fee, as well as the registration fee of $295. You will earn NCIDQ certification only when you have completed work experience requirements and return to complete the IDPX and PRAC sections of the exam.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
The career outlook for interior designers in Nebraska showcases a positive trend, with interior designers in the state earning an average annual salary of $50,600, which is slightly below the national average of $61,590. In Nebraska, the lowest 10% of earners make $36,240 or less, while the highest 10% can earn $80,630 or more. This data indicates a competitive wage landscape for professionals in the field, with a range of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and location within the state.
National vs. Nebraska Salaries for Interior Designers
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $36,610 | $61,590 | $101,550 |
| Nebraska | $36,240 | $50,600 | $80,630 |
Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Nebraska for Interior Designers
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual QL (25%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual QU (75%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $30,780 | $37,080 | $47,930 | $55,800 | $63,470 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | $37,720 | $44,510 | $54,740 | $67,590 | $81,000 |
| South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $35,050 | $39,420 | $48,760 | $48,760 | $62,630 |
Interior Designer Trends in Nebraska
In Nebraska, the employment outlook for Interior Designers shows a modest growth, with the number of employed interior designers expected to increase from 510 in 2020 to 520 by 2030, marking a 2% growth rate. This projection indicates a steady demand for interior designers in the state over the next decade. Annually, there are projected to be 50 job openings for interior designers in Nebraska during this period, which accounts for both new positions due to industry growth and replacements for vacancies created by workers leaving the field.
Employement Trends
| Aspect | Nebraska | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Employment (2020 for NE, 2022 for US) | 510 employees | 94,900 employees |
| Projected Employment (2030 for NE, 2032 for US) | 520 employees | 98,700 employees |
| Projected Growth | 2% | 4% |
| Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030 for NE, 2022-2032 for US) | 50 | 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Nebraska cities like Benkelman, Haigler and Max are where some of the highest paid interior designers can be found working.
If you enjoy the more technical aspects of interior design, you may enjoy working at an architecture firm. If you prefer to decide where certain fixtures will be placed, what sizes they will be and how they will affect the aesthetic of the space you’re designing, you may prefer to work at a home furnishing retailer. If you would enjoy a mixture of both, working at an interior design studio may be the perfect fit for you. No matter what you choose, leverage your education and passion for design to help you land the opportunities you will most enjoy.
FAQs
How do I get professional experience as an interior designer?
An internship or apprenticeship is a great way to transition smoothly from school to the workplace.