How to Become an Interior Designer in Washington
Interior design is a profession that is detail-oriented and driven by innovation. Building codes and laws help architects and interior designers understand how a structure needs to be built in order to be considered safe and suitable to sustain human life. Universal accessibility standards allow interior designers to create spaces that will be functional, comfortable and convenient for all types of people. The science of human behavior, along with an understanding of the cultures and lifestyles of various groups, will enable interior designers to specialize in designing religious institutions, community centers, commercial buildings, homes and more.
Requirements for Becoming an Interior Designer in Washington
The interior design profession is not regulated on a national level. Each state makes its own laws and regulations in governance of this profession; however, the state of Washington has no regulations in place for interior design.
The International Interior Design Association’s Northern Pacific Chapter is currently advocating for legislation that would require interior designers to register with the state, allowing them to practice independently in code-based environments, without the need to consult architects in order to make structural changes to a building.
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In most cases, you will be able to find employment with a bachelor’s degree alone. You may also find that employers are willing to hire candidates with lesser degrees, as long as they also have at least two-to-three years of work experience as an interior designer.
Obtaining a higher education will greatly increase your chances of employment in Washington, as some employers require that their interior designers possess a bachelor’s degree. You can expect some of the following topics to be covered in various interior design courses:
- Furniture and architectural history
- Computer aided design
- Lighting
- Materials and textiles
- Color theory
- Space planning
Depending on the school you attend, you may even be able to specialize in kitchen and bath design, architectural drafting or green and sustainable design.
National interior design certification is available and is completely voluntary in this state. This credential will serve as a testament to your level of qualification, helping to distinguish you from the crowd of candidates who may be competing for the position you want. Additionally, earning a master’s degree or completing an internship or apprenticeship program will help you build your skill level and expertise within the trade.
Interior Design Schools in Washington
There are important elements that interior designers must understand in order to do their jobs effectively. Each interior design program below is designed to help students establish the foundation for a thriving career in this field.
- The Art Institute of Seattle offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design, which can be completed in 45 months. Tuition and fees are $87,300 for the entire program. Books and supplies currently cost an additional $1,752.
- Bellevue College allows students to complete an Associate in Arts in Interior Design before moving on to the Bachelor of Applied Arts program. Both degrees will take a combined total of four years to complete. Students who have already completed another regionally-accredited associate’s degree program will be allowed to enroll in the bachelor’s degree program to receive their B.A. in two years. Tuition is currently about $4,000 per year for in-state students.
- Washington State University is located in the city of Pullman and offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design. The program will take four years to complete, and tuition and fees are currently about $12,000 per year.
National Certification for Interior Designers in Washington
The Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) is responsible for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certification process. This certification is not necessary in order to practice in this state; however, it is required in many other states that choose to regulate this profession. Taking the initiative to become certified will put you a step ahead of your peers and could allow you to earn higher compensation with your employer.
To earn this certification, you will first need to complete a bachelor’s degree program along with two years of work experience within the trade. You may also earn this certification if you have earned a degree which took less than four years of study, as long as you also have at least three-to-four years of work experience to complement the degree you’ve earned.
There are three sections included in the NCIDQ exam. A $225 application fee will cover all three sections. When your application is approved, you will need to register for each section individually.
The registration fees are as follows:
- Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX) – $295
- Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX) – $350
- Practicum Exam (PRAC) – $455
To maintain certification, you will need to make an annual payment of $75.
No work experience yet? No worries. You will be eligible to sit for the IDFX portion of the exam only, as long as you have completed or are in the last year of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. Sitting for this portion of the exam on its own will require a $95 application fee, as well as the registration fee of $295. When you have completed the work experience requirements, you will be allowed to return to complete the rest of the exam in order to earn NCIDQ certification.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
The salary data for interior designers in Washington state, as compared to the national average, showcases a favorable earning potential for professionals in the region. In Washington, interior designers earn an average annual salary of $65,960, which is notably higher than the national average of $61,590. The salary range in Washington extends from $47,640 at the 10th percentile to $99,570 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad range of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and other factors.
National vs. Washington Salaries for Interior Designers
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $36,610 | $61,590 | $101,550 |
| Washington | $47,640 | $65,960 | $99,570 |
Salaries by Region in Washington for Interior Designers
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | $47,590 | $52,180 | $80,710 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $47,880 | $63,040 | $100,390 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $56,770 | $69,990 | $100,040 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $39,670 | $57,000 | $88,170 |
Interior Designer Trends in Washington
In Washington, the employment outlook for Interior Designers (27-1025.00) is set for significant growth, with a projected increase of 20% from 2020 to 2030. The number of interior designers in the state is expected to rise from 2,760 employees in 2020 to 3,320 employees by 2030. Annually, there are projected to be 390 job openings for interior designers in Washington 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.
Employement Trends
| Aspect | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Employment (2020 for WA, 2022 for US) | 2,760 employees | 94,900 employees |
| Projected Employment (2030 for WA, 2032 for US) | 3,320 employees | 98,700 employees |
| Projected Growth | 20% | 4% |
| Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030 for WA, 2022-2032 for US) | 390 | 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 Washington 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 Washington
The job market for interior designers is expected to continue to improve throughout the coming years. You can be a part of this expansion if you have the passion and drive to build a fruitful career in this industry.
Interior designers working in Washington will earn the highest compensation in cities like Bellevue, Kirkland and Medina, among others.
Kitchen and bath designers, home furnishing retailers and architecture firms are among some of the places interior designers can be found working. You may also enjoy working as a freelance interior designer and choose to seek out only those projects that inspire your creativity and spark your passion.
FAQs
How long is an interior design program?
How Long Does It Take To Get Certified in Interior Design? Generally, certificate programs can be completed in under a year, whereas degree programs can take anywhere from 2 to 4 years of study in order for the student to earn their degree.