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The differences between design consultants and interior design consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a design consultant and an interior design consultant. Additionally, a design consultant has an average salary of $77,803, which is higher than the $61,447 average annual salary of an interior design consultant.
The top three skills for a design consultant include product knowledge, java and design process. The most important skills for an interior design consultant are customer service, real estate, and window coverings.
| Design Consultant | Interior Design Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $77,803 | $61,447 |
| Hourly rate | $37.41 | $29.54 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 59,470 | 48,894 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A design consultant is an individual who provides expertise incorporating functionality and aesthetics to a space or product based on the evaluation of the needs of customers or clients. Design consultants may collaborate with other professionals such as architects, graphic designers, or fashion designers to cater to the needs of their customers. They assist in improving existing designs, either in interior designs, fashions, or graphics. Design consultants may also work in different work settings like retail stores, architectural companies, or graphic design firms.
An interior design consultant is responsible for designing the interior space of a client's property according to their specifications and budget requirements. Interior design consultants draft their initial layouts, including the cost forecasting and resources for the operations, to determine the client's approval or revise plans as necessary. They also review the current commercial trends to provide recommendations for their clients. An interior design consultant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as expertise in utilizing software tools and applications for digital designs.
Design consultants and interior design consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Consultant | Interior Design Consultant | |
| Average salary | $77,803 | $61,447 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $119,000 | Between $42,000 And $88,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Roseville, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Slalom | RH |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Construction |
There are a few differences between a design consultant and an interior design consultant in terms of educational background:
| Design Consultant | Interior Design Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Interior Design | Interior Design |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between design consultants' and interior design consultants' demographics:
| Design Consultant | Interior Design Consultant | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.1% Female, 51.9% | Male, 19.1% Female, 80.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 1.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 23% | 23% |