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The differences between design interns and interior designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a design internship, becoming an interior designer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an interior designer has an average salary of $52,482, which is higher than the $45,791 average annual salary of a design internship.
The top three skills for a design internship include design intern, sketch and graphic design. The most important skills for an interior designer are revit, space planning, and sketch.
| Design Internship | Interior Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $45,791 | $52,482 |
| Hourly rate | $22.01 | $25.23 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 97,018 | 48,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 38 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
As the name entails, graphic design interns learn about the career in graphic design in a hands-on setting. They have varied tasks and duties, including taking part in every meeting of the design team, conducting client research, assisting with social media and design projects, and working closely with experienced designers. They are often paid little or nothing at all for their service, but the experience that they acquire from their field can be dispensable.
An interior designer helps people decorate their rooms and spaces, creating the most functional and beautiful area as possible. They sit with clients to plan desired goals, visualize the space's functions, and sketch the design plan. Then, they pick and order materials and furnishings needed for the project. Additionally, they create a project timeline, estimate cost, and supervise the construction and installation. They follow-up with clients to guarantee their satisfaction once the project is completed. Interior designers should have an understanding of building and construction as well as public safety and security. They must be flexible in their time since they work to meet client needs.
Design interns and interior designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Internship | Interior Designer | |
| Average salary | $45,791 | $52,482 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $64,000 | Between $35,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Meta | German International School New York |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Construction |
There are a few differences between a design internship and an interior designer in terms of educational background:
| Design Internship | Interior Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Interior Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between design interns' and interior designers' demographics:
| Design Internship | Interior Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.7% Female, 58.3% | Male, 21.0% Female, 79.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 | 13% | 23% |