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Interior designers and interior decorators (NOC 5242)

High opportunity occupation

Table of contents

About this job Earnings and Outlook Duties Work environment Workforce and employment statistics

Job requirements Work-related skills Related careers Career paths and resources

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About this job

Interior designers:

come up with ideas and produce artistic, practical and safe designs for interior spaces in residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and industrial buildings
work for architectural firms, interior design firms, retail establishments, construction companies, hospitals, airlines, hotel and restaurant chains, and other establishments
may be self-employed

Common job titles

consultant, home decorating
designer, kitchen
interior decorating / home decorating

interior design consultant

interior designer - aircraft
interior designer - certified / licensed
interior designer - green design

interior designer - office space planner

consultant, home decorating
designer, kitchen
interior decorating / home decorating
interior design consultant
interior designer - aircraft
interior designer - certified / licensed

interior designer - green design
interior designer - office space planner

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$54,226

Source: 2020 Job Bank Wage data

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2020 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Provincial hourly rate

High
Median
Low

Source: 2020 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2019-2029)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

2019 - 2024
2024 - 2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 1,580

2019
2024
2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

New jobs due to economic growth:
39.5%
620 openings

Replacement of retiring workers:
60.5%
950 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Cariboo

Employment in 2019:

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

2.5%

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

Kootenay

Employment in 2019:

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

1.2%

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

Mainland / Southwest

Employment in 2019:

3,300

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

1.5%

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

1,260

North Coast & Nechako

Employment in 2019:

N/A

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

N/A

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

N/A

Northeast

Employment in 2019:

N/A

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

N/A

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

N/A

Thompson-Okanagan

Employment in 2019:

340

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

1.3%

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

120

Vancouver Island / Coast

Employment in 2019:

520

Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:

0.5%

Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:

160

N/A - Data not available

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Interior designers:

speak with clients to find out their needs, preferences, safety requirements and purpose of space
develop detailed plans and 3-D models showing arrangement of walls, dividers, displays, lighting and other fixtures using computer-assisted design (CAD) software and graphics software
develop plans, elevations, cross sections and detailed drawings
advise on selection of colours, finishes and materials, floor and wall coverings, interior and exterior lighting, furniture and other items, taking into account physical comfort and efficiency and occupational health standards
estimate costs and materials
prepare plans for the final interior designs according to current practices and codes
work in an environment that includes several areas of expertise
may direct site work crews and subcontractors

Special duties

Interior designers may specialize in designing interiors for residential, commercial, institutional, cultural and industrial buildings and for aircraft, ships or trains, trade shows and exhibitions.

Work environment

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

Work takes place in a conventional indoor setting.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

4,000 workers are employed

42% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

Men

Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

15 - 24 years

25 - 44 years

45 - 64 years

65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services:

65%

Construction:

11%

Retail Trade:

11%

Manufacturing:

Finance, Insurance and Real Estate:

View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

% employment of this occupation

% employment of all occupations

Cariboo

Kootenay

Mainland / Southwest

North Coast & Nechako

Northeast

Thompson-Okanagan

Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Interior designers:

A university degree or college diploma in interior design is usually required.
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination may be required after six years of combined study and experience.
Certification by a provincial institute or association is required to use the designation Interior Design Consultant (IDC) in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

Interior decorators:

A college certificate or diploma in interior decoration is usually required.
Membership in the Canadian Decorators' Association is available to qualified decorators.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

Interior Design

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

Career paths and resources

Career paths

At this time, career path information is not available for this occupation.

Additional resources

Additional resources are not currently available for this career.

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Profile last updated:
March 25, 2021

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Interior designers and interior decorators (NOC 5242)

About this job

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

Provincial hourly rate

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2019-2029)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

Job openings

Composition of job openings

Regional outlook

Duties

Special duties

Work environment

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

Employment by gender

Employment by age group

Labour force by industry

Employment by region

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Education programs in B.C.

Work-related skills

What skills do you need for this career?

Related careers

Career paths and resources

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