How to Become an Interior Designer in South Dakota
When it comes to designing a space from the inside, skilled interior designers know exactly what to do. They understand building codes and laws, safety precautions, accessibility standards and design techniques. Interior designers are responsible for understanding the needs, habits and lifestyles of those who will be inhabiting, visiting or working in the spaces they design. This helps them determine what type of windows will be included, the number of entrances and exits to incorporate, the type of flooring that should be used and much more.
Requirements for Becoming an Interior Designer in South Dakota
Nationally, no laws exist in governance of interior design. Individual states can decide whether to put licensing requirements in place for this profession, and South Dakota has not decided to do so.
While no license is required to practice, interior designers in this state are not allowed to design parts of a building which would modify its structure, mechanical or electrical systems, or its overall safety. These responsibilities are left up to architects alone. Interior designers may decide to work together with architects in order to design structural, electrical or mechanical components of a building. Interior designers who work independently in this state are still be able to do nonstructural work, interior alterations, additions and more.
Obtaining a higher education would be extremely favorable when it comes to looking for full time employment in the industry. Some of the topics that may be covered in an interior design program may include:
- Lighting
- Color and texture
- Materials and textiles
- Art and furniture history
- Space planning
- Design history
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Oftentimes, employers will prefer to hire candidates who have at least a bachelor’s degree in interior design. If you have earned a lesser degree, you will still be able to find employment, as long as you have about two-to-three years of professional experience to compliment your degree.
National certification, earning a higher degree, or completing an internship program are all ways to develop your skillset within the trade and find higher paying job opportunities.
Interior Design Schools in South Dakota
Completing a degree program will teach you the foundations of knowledge necessary to advance within this career field. Consider enrolling in one of the programs below:
- South Dakota State University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in education and human sciences, which is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The degree can be earned with four years of study, and tuition is about $9,000 per year for in-state students.
- Penn Foster College offers an associate’s degree in interior design, which can be completed with two years of study. This degree can be earned entirely online, and tuition is currently $79 per credit hour. The program consists of 67 credit hours, and the school often offers significant discounts in the cost of tuition.
National Certification for Interior Designers in South Dakota
You do not need national certification in order to find employment in this state. However, choosing to earn this certification may be beneficial for several reasons. It could allow you to receive an increase in compensation, and if you decide to move to a state which has regulations in place for this trade, you will have already completed one of their most important requirements: national certification.
The Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) is responsible for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam process. The organization allows those who have completed a bachelor’s degree, along with two years of work experience, to sit for this exam. Alternatively, those who have completed a degree program that took less than four years of study will also be eligible to sit for this exam, as long as they have an additional three-to-four years of professional experience as an interior designer.
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination process consists of the following three sections:
- Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX)
- Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX)
- Practicum Exam (PRAC)
The IDFX section carries a $295 registration fee, the IDPX carries a registration fee of $350, and the PRAC has a $455 registration fee. You will receive your NCIDQ certification after passing all three sections. To maintain this certification, you will need to pay an annual fee of $75.
If you are interested in earning this certification but have not yet completed the work experience requirements, you may be eligible to sit for the IDFX portion only. To do so, you will have to be in the last year of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. Alternatively, you may sit for the IDFX if you’ve graduated. This will require a $95 application fee. You will also be responsible for the $295 registration fee. When you have completed two years of work experience, you may return to complete the IDPX and PRAC sections in order to earn NCIDQ certification.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
The salary data for interior designers in South Dakota, as compared to the United States, provides a detailed look into the earning potential within the state. In South Dakota, interior designers earn an average annual salary of $56,020, which is slightly below the national average of $61,590. The salary range in South Dakota extends from $43,940 at the 10th percentile to $121,630 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide range of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and other factors.
National vs. South Dakota Salaries for Interior Designers
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $36,610 | $61,590 | $101,550 |
| South Dakota | $43,940 | $56,020 | $121,630 |
Salaries by Region in South Dakota for Interior Designers
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $44,390 | $76,730 | $120,880 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $43,340 | $56,020 | $124,990 |
Interior Designer Trends in South Dakota
The salary data for interior designers in South Dakota, as compared to the United States, provides a detailed look into the earning potential within the state. In South Dakota, interior designers earn an average annual salary of $56,020, which is slightly below the national average of $61,590. The salary range in South Dakota extends from $43,940 at the 10th percentile to $121,630 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide range of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and other factors.
Employement Trends
| Aspect | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Employment (2020 for SD, 2022 for US) | 320 employees | 94,900 employees |
| Projected Employment (2030 for SD, 2032 for US) | 350 employees | 98,700 employees |
| Projected Growth | 9% | 4% |
| Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030 for SD, 2022-2032 for US) | 30 | 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota
In South Dakota, interior designers will likely earn the highest compensation in cities like Bristol, Claire City and Corona, among others.
You will find work at interior design studios, architecture firms, home furnishing retailers and more. You may decide to become a freelance interior designer and specialize in designing homes, religious institutions or business establishments. No matter what you decide, as long as you use your creativity and technical skills to craft spaces that exude innovation and quality, you will have a fruitful and enjoyable career as an interior designer.
FAQs
Who is CIDA?
The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) is an independent, non-profit accrediting organization for interior design education programs at colleges and universities in the United States and internationally.