by 
The field of interior design has stopped growing and remains very competitive.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it will only experience four percent growth as a field by 2030.
In the coming year, 7,800 interior design positions will open, and each year until 2030 the position will follow suit.
If you love architecture, building projects, and decorating, you could establish a career as an interior designer with a two-year to a four-year program that results in an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Article Table of Contents
Alabama Requirements for Interior Designers
Like about half of the states in the US, Alabama requires licensing of its interior designers.
You might receive your education in Alabama but move elsewhere to work.
In that case, you will need to check that state’s requirements.
Also, remember that employers can require licensing even if the state does not.
By 2030, about 86,900 individuals will be employed in the job of an interior designer.
Licensing Requirements to Become an Interior Designer
The field of interior design requires licensing of its practitioners.
About half the states in the US require licensing for this career.
You need to successfully complete your degree and pass the licensing exam offered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).
The licensing exam requires specific coursework and degree options as well as a work experience component to earn eligibility.
5 Interior Design Programs
You can earn a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from many accredited schools by studying at an online school or attending classes in person on a college campus.
Here are five of the most widely known programs in Alabama.
Auburn University College of Architecture
Referred to as an Interior Architecture degree, the program includes field studies and a summer thesis program.
Tuition costs an Alabama resident $5,913 per semester and a non-Alabama resident $15,993.
Samford University
The BA offered by Samford in Interior Design includes field experiences and a senior project.
Tuition and fees costs are $36,724 per year.
University of Alabama
The BS program at UA includes a study experience in Italy that provides two courses towards degree completion.
Tuition costs for an Alabama resident are $10,780 per semester and for a non-Alabama resident $30,250.
University of North Alabama
The interior design program at the University of North Alabama requires a 150-hour internship as a part of its degree requirements.
Tuition costs an Alabama resident $5,913 per semester and a non-Alabama resident $15,993.
Penn Foster College
The Associate’s degree in interior design from Penn Foster provides 45 of the 60 coursework hours needed to sit for the NCIDQ exam.
Tuition costs $1,504 per semester and you complete your classes online.
Interior Design Schools in Alabama – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Auburn University College of Architecture | Dudley Hall and Commons, 362 Duggar Concourse, Auburn, AL 36849 |
| Samford University | 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35229 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 |
| The University of North Alabama | 1 Harrison Plaza, Florence, AL 35632 |
| Penn Foster College | 925 Oak Street Scranton, PA 18515 |
Salary in Alabama for Interior Designers
The salary of an interior designer varies from entry-level positions to executive-level or business owners.
As an Interior Designer I, the entry-level position, a US employee earns a median salary of $48,769.
This position typically starts at about $38,667 per year and ranges up to $53,482 after the individual amasses some work experience.
Location affects your starting salary.
For instance, in Birmingham, AL, you would start at a salary of $27,901 with a bachelor’s degree and no experience, while in Tanner, AL, the starting salaries begin at $27,131.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | $46,175 |
| Montgomery | $43,736 |
| Mobile | $45,145 |
| Huntsville | $46,136 |
| Tuscaloosa | $45,723 |
| Alberta | $44,339 |
| Dothan | $43,087 |
| Decatur | $44,726 |
| Auburn | $44,013 |
| Gadsden | $45,765 |
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 290 | $60,560 | $29.12 | $99,400 | $27,580 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 50 | $55,030 | $26.46 | $76,730 | $29,580 |
| Huntsville, AL | 70 | $74,210 | $35.68 | $112,490 | $34,530 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 40 | $59,620 | $28.66 | $112,160 | $33,220 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to earn a degree to become an interior design?
You will need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree to establish yourself as an interior designer.
This degree needs to come from an accredited school, and you will need to obtain appropriate licensing.
You cannot sit for the licensing exam without completing your degree.
What key skills do you need as an interior design?
An interior designer must understand aesthetics, lighting, color, and architecture.
Their knowledge of architecture and material design enables them to design and build areas within the home that integrate into the existing architecture.
The interior designer works in new builds and construction projects as well as in renovation projects.
You will need superior written and oral communication skills to consult with clients and other vendors such as the architect, builders, craftsmen, etc.
The position also requires significant mathematical skills including advanced geometry and engineering.
Unlike the job of interior decorator, the designer creates the schematics for built-in furnishings and decorative motifs using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Do Interior Designers work for companies or independently?
As an interior designer, you could open your own firm or work for another company.
Some public organizations also hire interior designers.
These include universities, hospitals, and library systems.
As a self-employed person, you would accept both private and public clients, so you might design the home of a local family one week but design the interiors for a new library the next week.
These projects typically last months or a year, but you take on projects on a rolling basis.
You will need to write proposals and pitch yourself as the ideal candidate if you are self-employed.
If you work for a firm, your boss or their sales staff will handle proposal writing and pitching the company.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State