Interior designers make homes look stunning for their clients through their high attention to detail and desire to make things perfect. However, this career doesn’t come without stressors. Interior designers often experience high stress from the pressure to always make everything perfect. This especially becomes an issue around the holidays. They often experience burnout and decide the stress isn’t worth their mental and physical health. Then, they start to explore a career change from interior design. This might bring anxiety, but if you’re an interior designer looking for a less stressful environment, we’ve got you covered!
1. Project Designer
Salary Range: Bottom 10% earn $47,000. Median annual salary $62,498. Top 10% earn $82,000 as of May 2021
Job Growth: 4% by 2029 (as fast as average)
Project designers support developers on projects. Project design is the first stage of a project. It’s where the features, expectations, and budgets are formed. The type of industry the project designer is in will determine the duties and responsibilities they have. Most work for construction firms, technology solution firms, architecture firms, and interior design firms. The common duties they have include prototype making, sketches, simulations, HTML designs, and flowcharts. They generally work a typical 9-5 schedule from Monday to Friday.
Transferable Skills:
- Analytic skills
- Strong communication skills
- Knowledge of social media and trends
- IT skills
- High attention to detail
2. Construction Material Sales
Salary Range: Bottom 10% earn $45,000. Median annual salary $75,000. Top 10% earn $129,875 as of May 2020
Job Growth: 4% by 2029 (faster than average)
Construction material sales involve selling or leasing construction equipment to a business or individual. Their job largely involves establishing connections with clients, vendors, manufacturers, and suppliers. They will deal with budgets, managing customer accounts, and their information. Some may go deeper and train employees, create marketing campaigns to sell equipment, perform demonstrations, and maintain inventory. Knowledge of construction equipment and technologies is a must. You’ll also need to keep local laws, policies, and regulations in mind when selling equipment.
Transferable Skills:
- Time management skills
- Detail-orientated
- Project management experience
- Customer Service skills
- Knowledge of construction equipment and technology
- Strong communication and written skills
3. Furniture Sales
Salary Range: Bottom 10% earn $22,500. Median annual salary $31,901. Top 10% earn $47,500 as of May 2021
Job Growth: The BLS doesn’t collect data on furniture sales but they do on general retail jobs. They project little to no change.
Furniture sales can involve a few different paths. You can work for a furniture store, freelance build and sell your own, or work for a manufacturer where you sell to private companies. The first path puts you in a customer service role. You’ll greet customers, help them decide on furniture based on their budget, and you may set appointments for delivery. If you take the second path, you can create all types of home furniture and sell to private clients or manufacturing companies to mass-produce. The third path puts you in a more industrial role in furniture stores or companies.
Transferable Skills:
- High attention to detail
- Organizational skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Customer service skills
4. Landscape Designer
Salary Range: Bottom 10% earn $24,000. Median annual salary $56,500. Top 10% earn $70,000 as of May 2021
Job Growth: 4% by 2029 (as fast as average)
Landscape designers work with residents and residential communities to create a plan for your yard or land. You will have a consultation with your customers and ask their budget, plant preferences, maintenance, and take photos. You might even take the customer to pick out plants, materials, or furnishings after you create the plan for their residence. Anything that requires more laborious work like a patio or deck, you’ll recommend a contractor or professional to complete the work.
Transferable Skills:
- Organizational skills
- Detail-orientated
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Creativity skills
- Strong knowledge and ability to network with other businesses
5. TV/Theater Stage Design
Salary Range: Bottom 10% $71,696. Median annual salary $85,986. Top 10% earn $101,533 as of May 2020
Job Growth: 7% by 2028 (as fast as average)
A set designer is responsible for designing sets for TV, movie, film, and theater productions. They collaborate with directors to make sure they understand their vision. They also work closely with builders to oversee the building and ensure it stays on budget. As a set designer, you’ll read scripts and interpret the words into art. You’ll use hand sketches, computer software, or graphics to create sets and bring them to life. You’ll ensure the setup and takedown of each set and order materials to build sets.
Transferable Skills:
- IT skills
- Detail-orientated
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Time management skills
- Creativity skills
- Teamwork skills
- Project management experience
6. Computer-Aided Drafter (CAD)
Salary Range: Bottom 10% earn $30,180. Median annual wage $53,538. Top 10% earn $70,000 as of May 2020.
Job Growth: 7% by 2026 (faster than average)
CADs take the designs from architects and engineers and translate it through software. This software creates a technical drawing of the structure and is very detailed. They contain dimensions, codes, materials, and production methods for the builders and manufacturers. Usually, they will choose to specialize in one area like civil, electrical, mechanical, electronics, or architectural.
Transferable Skills:
- Detail-oriented
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Time management skills
- Math Skills
- Strong IT skills
7. Flip Old Houses
Salary Range: Bottom 10% earn $25,000. Median annual salary $68,693. Top 10% earn $100,000 + as of May 2021
Job Growth: The BLS doesn’t collect data on House Flippers.
House flippers buy older properties for cheap and fix them up. They buy ones from auctions, estate sales, or foreclosures from the bank. Usually, these houses are meant to be sold quickly and banks or private entities sell them for way less than what they’re worth to make some type of profit. Often, the houses aren’t in horrible condition and don’t cost much to fix them. When this happens, flippers can fix the property for cheap and increase the value. When they go to sell, they can make a large profit from it.
Transferable Skills:
- Excellent written and communication skills
- Patience
- Organizational skills
- Sales skills
- IT skills
- Construction/mechanical skills
8. Furniture Design
Salary Range: Bottom 10% earn $27,000. Median annual salary $48,570. Top 10% earn $84,000 as of April 2021
Job Growth: 3% by 2028 (as fast as average)
Furniture designers often create their furniture. They aim for their pieces to be functional, practical, comfortable, and attractive. As a designer, you’ll make sketches or a concept for your idea. Then, you’d take it to the next level and transfer your handwritten designs to software. This software will allow you to make changes or add even more detail. Once the computer generates the image, it will tell you how the piece is put together and what materials are needed. From there, many will make a prototype to send to a manufacturer. However, some build their furniture and sell it to their clients.
Transferable Skills:
- IT skills
- Creativity skills
- Mechanical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Time management skills
- Analytical skills
9. Visual Merchandiser
Salary Range: Bottom 10% earn $17,384. Median annual salary $53,553. Top 10% earn $83,780 as of December 2020
Job Growth: 8% by 2028 (as fast as average)
Visual merchandisers use their skills to promote an image for a business or product. In a store, they are responsible for creating an eye-catching display and store layouts to attract customers and make them want to buy. In a larger retail company, you’d be part of a display team. This team follows plans laid out by the head office. You may not design anything but posters, stands, or stock containers. Some visual merchandisers work closely with the senior coordinators and provide feedback to the head office.
Transferable Skills:
- High attention to detail
- Creativity skills
- Leadership and communication skills
- Analytical skills
- Knowledge of trends, brands, and consumers
- IT skills
10. Graphic Designer (Working with Software Mainly)
Salary Range: Bottom 10% earn $31,720. Median annual salary $53,380. Top 10% earn $92,000 as of April 2021.
Job Growth: 5% by 2026 (as fast as average)
Graphic designers create visual communications through software or by hand to their intended audience. For example, you may be responsible for designing an ad campaign for a company or designing a new company logo. This career path requires you to understand the latest trends and really know your consumers, so you can correctly deliver the intended message that’s aesthetically pleasing. Some graphic designers work for an ad or consultant agency, while many are freelance and work from home.
Transferable Skills:
- Excellent IT skills (video and photo editing software)
- High attention to detail
- Creativity and innovation skills
- Time management skills
- Knowledge of the latest trends
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the job options for retired interior designers?
There are plenty of options for those who retired from an interior designer career. While you can check out the list above, many of them tend to join the retail world in some fashion. They may do sales or organize sales floors.
Can interior designs work from home?
Yes! With today’s innovative technology, interior designers can work from home. They can use Skype, Zoom, or other virtual software to conduct meetings with their clients and make suggestions. From there, the client can decide to set an appointment to meet up or choose to not go through with it after all.
Final Thoughts
When you make a career change, it can bring feelings of failure and anxiety. However, the fear of change doesn’t last forever, and you’re not a failure for wanting to explore new career paths. Most degrees are flexible enough that gives you the freedom to explore different paths. If you’re someone that wants to make a career change, don’t hesitate. Where you end up just may surprise you (in a good way)!
