How to Become an Interior Designer in Wisconsin

When working to design the inside of a home, office, storefront or other type of building, it is important to be knowledgeable about safety requirements, behavioral tendencies of people and universal standards of accessibility. This information allows interior designers to create spaces that can be safely enjoyed by those who will be interacting with the space.

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Interior designers may be responsible for deciding everything from color schemes for a particular room in a home to the placement of windows, walls and doors inside a government or religious institution, for example.

Requirements for Becoming an Interior Designer in Wisconsin

There have been no national laws set in place to regulate the interior design profession. Instead, states decide on their own if they would like to enforce legislation requiring interior designers to meet specific standards before practicing.

A successful interior design career starts with getting the right education as professional organizations such as interior design firms, furniture stores, retail stores, corporate facilities, building centers, kitchen and bath design firms, and decorating centers prefer to hire those with a higher education or degree under their belt. Pursuing further education will help you get there.

Some of the following topics may be covered in an interior design program:

  • Interior spaces
  • Phases of the design process
  • Materials and textiles
  • Art and furniture history
  • Technology
  • Computer aided design

In Wisconsin, this profession is regulated by the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Before becoming registered with the state, applicants are required to complete a combination of six years of education and experience within the craft. It is important to note that these education and experience requirements will be fulfilled before sitting for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam, which is another requirement to register as an interior designer in this state.

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A successful interior design career starts with getting the right education as professional organizations such as interior design firms, furniture stores, retail stores, corporate facilities, building centers, kitchen and bath design firms, and decorating centers prefer to hire those with a higher education or degree under their belt. Pursuing further education will help you get there.

Once you have met these requirements, you will need to fill out an application for registration. The initial application fee is $75 and the renewal fee is $107 every two years. Registrants are also required to complete at least nine hours of continuing education every two years. The DSPS offers an online list of the ways you can earn continuing education hours.

In addition to following the state’s requirements, you can choose to complete a master’s degree program, as well as an internship or apprenticeship program in interior design. Any of these options will help further exemplify your ambition to succeed, your dedication to the craft and your level of qualification to take on high levels of responsibility within the trade.

Interior Design Schools in Wisconsin

Each school listed below is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), a nationally-recognized organization that sets standards for education in interior design. Interior design students have the following options available to them:

  • University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Architecture. The degree will require four years of study, and tuition is currently about $8,000 per year.
  • Mount Mary University is an all-female college located in the city of Milwaukee. The school offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, which can be completed in four years. Students will be required to complete an internship before graduating. Tuition and fees are currently about $15,000 per year.
  • University of Wisconsin – Madison allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture with four years of study. Tuition and fees are currently about $11,000 per year.

National Certification for Interior Designers in Wisconsin

The NCIDQ exam is offered through the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). Eligibility requirements include a bachelor’s degree along with two years of work experience within the trade. Alternatively, you may sit for this exam if you’ve completed a lesser degree along with three-to-four years of work experience as an interior designer

To sit for this exam, you will first need to pay a $225 application fee. When your application has been approved, you will need to register for each section of the exam individually. The exam consists of three sections. The Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX) section carries a $295 registration fee, the Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX) section carries a registration fee of $350, and the Practicum Exam (PRAC) section has a $455 registration fee. Passing all three parts will allow you to receive NCIDQ certification. To maintain this certification, you are required to pay an annual fee of $75.

If you meet educational requirements but have yet to fulfill work experience requirements, you may opt to sit for the IDFX on its own. This option is also available to you if you are in the last year of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. 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 salary data for interior designers in Wisconsin, compared to the national average, provides a detailed view of the profession’s earning potential within the state. In Wisconsin, interior designers earn an average annual salary of $57,810, which is slightly below the national average of $61,590. The salary range in Wisconsin extends from $37,990 at the 10th percentile to $86,950 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad range of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and other factors.

National vs. Wisconsin Salaries for Interior Designers

Location Annual Low (10%) Annual Median Annual High (90%)
United States $36,610 $61,590 $101,550
Wisconsin $37,990 $57,810 $86,950

Salaries by Region in Wisconsin for Interior Designers

Region Annual Low (10%) Annual Median Annual High (90%)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI $33,510 $64,920 $100,940
Duluth, MN-WI $35,820 $51,120 $78,010
Green Bay, WI $37,990 $59,010 $87,990
Madison, WI $38,870 $58,260 $87,920
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI $38,900 $60,500 $86,950

Interior Designer Trends in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the employment outlook for Interior Designers (27-1025.00) is set for a modest increase, with a projected growth of 3% from 2020 to 2030. The number of interior designers in the state is expected to rise from 1,530 employees in 2020 to 1,570 employees by 2030. Annually, there are projected to be 140 job openings for interior designers in Wisconsin during this period, which includes openings due to both industry growth and the need to replace workers leaving the profession. This growth rate is slightly below the national average of 4% for the same period, indicating a steady but modest demand for interior designers within the state.

Employement Trends

Aspect Wisconsin United States
Employment (2020 for WI, 2022 for US) 1,530 employees 94,900 employees
Projected Employment (2030 for WI, 2032 for US) 1,570 employees 98,700 employees
Projected Growth 3% 4%
Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030 for WI, 2022-2032 for US) 140 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a great state to launch your career as an interior designer, as the job market will continue to expand in the coming years. The job market for interior designers in this state is expected to exceed the national growth rate for this career field during the 10-year period between 2016 and 2026, according to the BLS.

Cities like Hammond, Hudson and New Richmond, among others, are where some of the highest paid interior designers in this state can be found working.

You can expect to find employment at construction firms, home furnishing retailers, interior design studios or architecture firms. Freelancing is also a possibility for interior designers who prefer to work solely on the projects of their choosing. Begin by defining your unique design flair, sharpening your skills and deepening your personal knowledge of the industry. Before you know it, you will have established a rewarding and successful career as an interior designer.

Search Certified Residential Interior Designer Programs

Get information on Certified Residential Interior Designer programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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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.

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