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The differences between design consultants and project designers 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 a project designer. Additionally, a design consultant has an average salary of $77,803, which is higher than the $64,943 average annual salary of a project designer.
The top three skills for a design consultant include product knowledge, java and design process. The most important skills for a project designer are revit, sketch, and design concepts.
| Design Consultant | Project Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $77,803 | $64,943 |
| Hourly rate | $37.41 | $31.22 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 59,470 | 60,364 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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.
A Project Designer provides assistance in project design and development activities based on customer requirements. They develop solutions to client architectural complexities.
Design consultants and project designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Consultant | Project Designer | |
| Average salary | $77,803 | $64,943 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $119,000 | Between $47,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Slalom | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a design consultant and a project designer in terms of educational background:
| Design Consultant | Project Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Interior Design | Architecture |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between design consultants' and project designers' demographics:
| Design Consultant | Project Designer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.1% Female, 51.9% | Male, 66.5% Female, 33.5% |
| 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% |