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Space planner vs interior designer

The differences between space planners and interior designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a space planner, becoming an interior designer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a space planner has an average salary of $64,516, which is higher than the $52,482 average annual salary of an interior designer.

The top three skills for a space planner include space planning, real estate and project management. The most important skills for an interior designer are revit, space planning, and sketch.

Space planner vs interior designer overview

Space PlannerInterior Designer
Yearly salary$64,516$52,482
Hourly rate$31.02$25.23
Growth rate4%1%
Number of jobs14,04448,020
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4242
Years of experience24

What does a space planner do?

A space planner is responsible for determining the functions of an area and identifying the dimension for its use. Space planners are the ones who observe what kind of arrangement would be pleasing for a viewer's eyes, mostly in an office or a private household setting. They decide on the space allotment of furniture and equipment, inspect if there's any need for construction changes, and ensuring that the task stays on budget requirements. A space planner may also have to be excellent in utilizing software tools to design plans accurately and efficiently.

What does an interior designer do?

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.

Space planner vs interior designer salary

Space planners and interior designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Space PlannerInterior Designer
Average salary$64,516$52,482
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $89,000Between $35,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSacramento, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNorth Dakota
Best paying companyMetaGerman International School New York
Best paying industryTechnologyConstruction

Differences between space planner and interior designer education

There are a few differences between a space planner and an interior designer in terms of educational background:

Space PlannerInterior Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorInterior DesignInterior Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCornell University

Space planner vs interior designer demographics

Here are the differences between space planners' and interior designers' demographics:

Space PlannerInterior Designer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 40.6% Female, 59.4%Male, 21.0% Female, 79.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.5% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage13%23%

Differences between space planner and interior designer duties and responsibilities

Space planner example responsibilities.

  • Guide production planning activities ranging from developing and revising production schedules, forecasting trends and customer demand, and managing logistics.
  • Track projects and drawing data bases in IWMS and Manhattan CAFM software system.
  • Work as part of CAFM team handling client requests and generate work orders from team mailbox.
  • Direct inbound or outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, or logistics quality management.
  • Generate environmental impact statement (EIS) maps & studies as part of the NEPA compliance process.
  • Ensure compliance with environmental standards; prepare CEQA/NEPA documents as required.

Interior designer example responsibilities.

  • Establish and manage firm's account on NYC DOB website; fulfill office duties and manage office.
  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Project management, interior design, transition planning, and furniture specification for military healthcare projects.
  • Participate on leer certified projects.
  • Put together client invoices in QuickBooks.
  • Design email using HTML and inline CSS/CSS3.
  • Show more

Space planner vs interior designer skills

Common space planner skills
  • Space Planning, 15%
  • Real Estate, 9%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Space Management, 7%
  • Space Utilization, 5%
  • Archibus, 5%
Common interior designer skills
  • Revit, 12%
  • Space Planning, 8%
  • Sketch, 6%
  • Design Concepts, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • FF, 5%

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