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

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$45,760

Source: 2018 Job Bank Wage data

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2018 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: 2018 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

Select a region to view regional outlook
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Cariboo
Employment in 2019:
50
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
2.5%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
20
Kootenay
Employment in 2019:
30
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
1.2%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
10
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:
4%
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate:
2%
View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
  % employment of this occupation
  % employment of all occupations
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland / Southwest
North Coast & Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

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:
July 5, 2018
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