Table of Contents
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has released its annual State of Interior Design Outlook report, sponsored by Sherwin-Williams, highlighting steady growth for the interior design practice, from salaries to number of practitioners.
Compiled by the Society’s research division, the report offers a comprehensive tool and outlook on the profession to guide practitioners, taking into consideration career trends, economic indicators, and design services.
“The growth seen in this report underscores the key role of interior design professionals today,” said Khoi Vo, chief executive officer, ASID. “ASID is proud to provide this critical information to support designers in their careers and practices. This research empowers designers to understand the meaningful value of their work from economic and business perspectives, enabling members and non-members alike to elevate their practice and improve the lives of others and the world around them.”
The report looks at the current state of the industry and profession and finds that over the last decade, the interior design community has seen considerable growth and has found advances in diversity within the profession. The report also positions the interior design industry within the U.S. economy, highlighting the overall outlook of the industry’s recent job market that includes a slowing economy and a decline in construction.
Additional findings include:
· Current estimates project the total number of interior designers, both employed and self-employed, at nearly 128,800 in 2024, increasing 4.1 percent year-to-year.
· Of those, approximately 55 percent are employed, and 45 percent are self-employed.
· Based on recent reports from employers, the average salary for interior designers across all levels in 2023 was $69,958. This constitutes an 11.3 percent increase, compared to just a 0.5 percent increase reported last year.
· Growth in the number of interior design firms has accelerated post-pandemic. Demand for interior design services surged during the pandemic as homeowners relocated and/or remodeled their homes to make them more suitable for the stay-at-home lifestyle.
· Historically, the vast majority of practicing interior designers have been women, white, and middle-aged. Although this trend is likely to persist for some years to come, recent data reveals a gradual shift towards more diversity, reflecting changes in the overall population cited in the ASID 2024 Trends Outlook report.
· Larger firms tend to earn higher revenues, while small firms are the key drivers of the interior design industry, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all annual sales. Smaller firms are more susceptible to shifts in the economy, leading to fluctuations in earnings from year to year.
The report is available at www.asid.org for ASID members to access free of charge. Others may download the report for a charge.
