Post job

Interior decorator vs building architectural designer

The differences between interior decorators and building architectural designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an interior decorator, becoming a building architectural designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a building architectural designer has an average salary of $67,414, which is higher than the $47,169 average annual salary of an interior decorator.

The top three skills for an interior decorator include customer service, in-home and space planning. The most important skills for a building architectural designer are customer service, CAD, and revit.

Interior decorator vs building architectural designer overview

Interior DecoratorBuilding Architectural Designer
Yearly salary$47,169$67,414
Hourly rate$22.68$32.41
Growth rate1%-3%
Number of jobs11,19450,290
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4245
Years of experience412

Interior decorator vs building architectural designer salary

Interior decorators and building architectural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Interior DecoratorBuilding Architectural Designer
Average salary$47,169$67,414
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $68,000Between $49,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between interior decorator and building architectural designer education

There are a few differences between an interior decorator and a building architectural designer in terms of educational background:

Interior DecoratorBuilding Architectural Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorInterior DesignArchitecture
Most common collegeCornell UniversityCornell University

Interior decorator vs building architectural designer demographics

Here are the differences between interior decorators' and building architectural designers' demographics:

Interior DecoratorBuilding Architectural Designer
Average age4245
Gender ratioMale, 17.1% Female, 82.9%Male, 83.0% Female, 17.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 3.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage23%6%

Differences between interior decorator and building architectural designer duties and responsibilities

Interior decorator example responsibilities.

  • Manage Pinterest, Facebook, and Houzz profiles by responding to questions and updating photos.
  • Conduct in-home design and custom window treatment consultations and sales.
  • Demonstrate skillful communication and negotiation skills.
  • Design, modele and render graphically intensive exteriors and interior environments and animations utilizing the latest in visualization technology.
  • Design, modele and render graphically intensive exteriors and interior environments and animations utilizing the latest in visualization technology.

Building architectural designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Install doors, windows, flooring (laminate and tile), frame walls, build and design shelves and closets.
  • Repair siding, roof replacement, doors and windows under codes and contracts.
  • Develop customized user interaction models using object-orient prototyping.
  • Conceptualize marketing campaigns that leverage Facebook and social media platforms that are recognized as the new best practice in public engagement.
  • Review of installations and document deficiencies for the client to ensure the design meets codes and contract documents using PowerPoint presentations.
  • Show more

Interior decorator vs building architectural designer skills

Common interior decorator skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • In-Home, 11%
  • Space Planning, 8%
  • Custom Furniture, 8%
  • Trade Shows, 5%
  • Design Projects, 4%
Common building architectural designer skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • CAD, 18%
  • Revit, 11%
  • HVAC, 6%
  • BIM, 6%
  • R, 5%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs