Post job

Kitchen designer vs installer

The differences between kitchen designers and installers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a kitchen designer, becoming an installer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a kitchen designer has an average salary of $55,942, which is higher than the $39,799 average annual salary of an installer.

The top three skills for a kitchen designer include math, laundry room and design projects. The most important skills for an installer are customer service, windows, and plumbing.

Kitchen designer vs installer overview

Kitchen DesignerInstaller
Yearly salary$55,942$39,799
Hourly rate$26.90$19.13
Growth rate1%2%
Number of jobs56,83130,303
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%High School Diploma, 45%
Average age4242
Years of experience412

What does a kitchen designer do?

A kitchen designer develops and creates designs for kitchen set-ups for clients. They are responsible for installing flooring, equipment, tools, cabinets, and other paraphernalia. They prepare a plan and recommend a timeline for the project. They need to ensure that all the equipment and appliances in the kitchen are functional, efficient, conveniently placed, and cost-effective. Often, a kitchen designer works for restaurants, pastry shops, cafeterias, or even schools and hospitals.

What does an installer do?

Installers are assigned to assemble equipment or fixtures in the client's work or home area. They should have extensive knowledge of the product they will install to ensure it works as intended. They should also be familiar with handling different tools, especially those that would help them build the product. Installers should be able to walk the client through how to use the product. They should also be able to answer any inquiries that the client may have. Installers should have quick decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and creativity.

Kitchen designer vs installer salary

Kitchen designers and installers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kitchen DesignerInstaller
Average salary$55,942$39,799
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $92,000Between $31,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateOregonWashington
Best paying companyRiverhead Building SupplyPella
Best paying industryRetailTechnology

Differences between kitchen designer and installer education

There are a few differences between a kitchen designer and an installer in terms of educational background:

Kitchen DesignerInstaller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%High School Diploma, 45%
Most common majorInterior DesignBusiness
Most common collegeCornell University-

Kitchen designer vs installer demographics

Here are the differences between kitchen designers' and installers' demographics:

Kitchen DesignerInstaller
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 42.0% Female, 58.0%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage23%2%

Differences between kitchen designer and installer duties and responsibilities

Kitchen designer example responsibilities.

  • Project manage by effectively communicating client's ideas to vendors and subcontractors from design through installation.
  • Manage multiple residential kitchen and bath projects simultaneously from design inception to delivery in a fast pace energetic environment.
  • Provide courteous and interactive support to customers by offering kitchen design according to their requirements.
  • Design, modele and render graphically intensive exteriors and interior environments and animations utilizing the latest in visualization technology.
  • Originate designs from blueprints according to NKBA guidelines.
  • Meet customers' needs in designing their kitchens as needed for visual appeal and functionality while meeting NKBA standards.

Installer example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Experience with brazing, running new line set, and EPA certify.
  • Install various heating and air conditioning systems like water heaters, furnaces, heat pumps, a/c condensers.
  • Work with steel snips, brake and screw guns.
  • Train in Crestron integrate systems.
  • Schedule and run sales appointments.
  • Show more

Kitchen designer vs installer skills

Common kitchen designer skills
  • Math, 10%
  • Laundry Room, 9%
  • Design Projects, 8%
  • Product Knowledge, 8%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
Common installer skills
  • Customer Service, 27%
  • Windows, 11%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Work Ethic, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • HVAC, 4%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs