Interior designers
SOC Code: 27-1025
Interior designers carries a 35% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $63,490 and +3.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 87,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Interior designers (SOC 27-1025) carries an AI exposure score of 35%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 87,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.2% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $63,490, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Interior designers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Design plans to be safe and to be compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
- 2. Use computer-aided drafting (CAD) and related software to produce construction documents.
- 3. Research health and safety code requirements to inform design.
- 4. Confer with client to determine factors affecting planning of interior environments, such as budget, architectural preferences, purpose, and function.
- 5. Advise client on interior design factors, such as space planning, layout and use of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination.
- 6. Coordinate with other professionals, such as contractors, architects, engineers, and plumbers, to ensure job success.
- 7. Review and detail shop drawings for construction plans.
- 8. Inspect construction work on site to ensure its adherence to the design plans.
- 9. Render design ideas in form of paste-ups or drawings.
- 10. Subcontract fabrication, installation, and arrangement of carpeting, fixtures, accessories, draperies, paint and wall coverings, art work, furniture, and related items.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Service Orientation
- Writing
- Complex Problem Solving
- Persuasion
Knowledge Areas
- Design
- Customer and Personal Service
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Public Safety and Security
- Fine Arts
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Interior designers?
Interior designers has an AI exposure score of 35%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Interior designers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Interior designers is projected to grow by 3.2% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 87,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Interior designers?
Key skills for Interior designers include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Interior designers earn?
The median annual wage for Interior designers is $63,490, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Interior designers?
The typical entry-level education for Interior designers is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Interior designers?
Interior designers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).