How to Become an Interior Designer in Oregon
Will your home have cathedral ceilings, French doors and stained-glass windows? Interior designers can help determine how these factors will affect the functionality of your home. They’ll also know the kind of elements which would be most appropriate to include in a home, office space, retail establishment, religious institution or other types of buildings. To do this effectively, interior designers must understand building codes and laws, universal accessibility standards and industry techniques, as well as the behaviors, customs and lifestyles of the people who will make use of the establishment that is being designed.
Requirements for Becoming an Interior Designer in Oregon
In Oregon, interior designers do not need to follow any state-mandated regulations before finding employment. There are also no national regulations in governance of interior design.
Certain construction projects which would include structural modifications to a building, must be overseen by certified architects in this state. The Oregon chapter of the International Interior Design Association is currently working to help establish regulations that would allow registered or licensed interior designers to do such work without the supervision or approval of an architect.
Typically, you will be able to find employment with a bachelor’s degree alone. There are also cases in which you will find employers willing to hire you if you have a lesser degree, as long as you also have at least two-to-three years of work experience to compliment that degree.
Interior design programs may cover the following topics:
- Color theory
- Lighting design
- Methods of problem solving
- Art and furniture history
- Fine arts
- Interior spaces
- Design of custom furniture
- Space planning
- Design software
- Materials and textiles
Setting yourself up to reach milestones of success may require you to go the extra mile to distinguish yourself from the competition. You can do this by completing a master’s degree in interior design, finding an internship or apprenticeship opportunity, or earning national certification as an interior designer.
Interior Design Schools in Oregon
Completing a degree program will be the first step to establishing yourself as a professional in this field. Find out if one of the degree programs below would be suitable for your lifestyle and educational goals.
- University of Oregon is located in the city of Eugene, and offers a Bachelor of Interior Architecture (B IARCH) degree, which will take five years to complete. Tuition and fees are approximately $12,000 per year for in-state students.
National Certification for Interior Designers in Oregon
You are not required to earn national certification in order to practice in Oregon. Choosing to earn this credential could allow you to earn higher compensation in a traditional employment setting. You may also find that this certification helps you to attract higher paying clients if you will work as a freelance interior designer.
The Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) is the organization which oversees the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certification process. You must have a bachelor’s degree along with two years of work experience to sit for this exam. Alternatively, you may sit for this exam if you have earned a lesser degree, as long as you also have at least three-to-four years of work experience within the profession.
There are three sections of the NCIDQ exam, including the Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX), the Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX) and the Practicum Exam (PRAC). A $225 application fee is required and will cover all three sections. Once you receive approval, you will be required to register for each section individually. The IDFX carries a registration fee of $295, the IDPX fee is $350 and the PRAC fee is $455. Upon passing all three exam sections, you will receive NCIDQ certification. To maintain certification, you will need to pay an annual fee of $75.
If you have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree program but have yet to fulfill work experience requirements, the CIDQ will allow you to sit for the IDFX portion of the exam only. This option is also available to those who are in the last year of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. Sitting for this portion of the exam exclusively will be a great addition to your resume, however you will need to return to complete the IDPX and PRAC sections of the exam in order to earn NCIDQ certification. On its own, the IDFX requires a $95 application fee as well as the registration fee of $295.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
The career outlook for interior designers in Oregon showcases a positive trend, with interior designers in the state earning an average annual salary of $63,370, which is above the national average of $61,590. In Oregon, the lowest 10% of earners make $47,780 or less, while the highest 10% can earn $99,950 or more. This data indicates a lucrative wage landscape for professionals in the field, with a substantial range of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and location within the state.
National vs. Oregon Salaries for Interior Designers
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $36,610 | $61,590 | $101,550 |
| Oregon | $47,780 | $63,370 | $99,950 |
Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Oregon for Interior Designers
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend-Redmond, OR | $40,170 | $58,660 | $91,330 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $47,880 | $63,040 | $100,390 |
Interior Designer Trends in Oregon
In Oregon, the employment outlook for Interior Designers is highly positive, with a projected growth of 19% from 2020 to 2030. The number of interior designers in the state is expected to increase from 830 employees in 2020 to 990 employees by 2030. Annually, there are projected to be 90 job openings for interior designers in Oregon during this period, which includes openings due to both industry growth and the need to replace workers leaving the profession. This growth rate significantly exceeds the national average of 4% for the same period, indicating a robust demand for interior designers within the state.