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The differences between interior designers and general contractors 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 designer, becoming a general contractor takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a general contractor has an average salary of $66,602, which is higher than the $52,482 average annual salary of an interior designer.
The top three skills for an interior designer include revit, space planning and sketch. The most important skills for a general contractor are plumbing, safety regulations, and contract negotiations.
| Interior Designer | General Contractor | |
| Yearly salary | $52,482 | $66,602 |
| Hourly rate | $25.23 | $32.02 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 48,020 | 66,218 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 42 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
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.
The job of general contractors is to oversee the day-to-day operations of projects in the organization. General contractors are considered seasoned experts when it comes to home improvement. They provide the material, equipment, labor, and services for a construction project. Often, they hire specialized subcontractors who will be working on some part of the construction work. They should have attained a bachelor's or associate's degree in construction management. Their experience in the industry is highly coveted.
Interior designers and general contractors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Interior Designer | General Contractor | |
| Average salary | $52,482 | $66,602 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $78,000 | Between $41,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | - |
| Best paying company | German International School New York | - |
| Best paying industry | Construction | - |
There are a few differences between an interior designer and a general contractor in terms of educational background:
| Interior Designer | General Contractor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Interior Design | Business |
| Most common college | Cornell University | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between interior designers' and general contractors' demographics:
| Interior Designer | General Contractor | |
| Average age | 42 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.0% Female, 79.0% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| 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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 23% | 4% |