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Some people have always wanted to make money using their creative talents.
However, they are not sure how to channel their innovative powers into a paying job role.
Becoming an interior designer in North Carolina may provide you with an artistic outlet that also provides you a decent annual salary after only a couple of years.
Article Table of Contents
States Requirements for Interior Designers
Designers Today reports that North Carolina has added a voluntary state Interior Design Registry, which allows persons in this role to authorize their own designs.
Apparently, they no longer have to wait for an architect or construction team to sign off on their work.
Interior designers now have their own path of certification available to them.
They may not have a mandatory licensing structure in NC.
However, you should refer to the North Carolina Board of Architecture for more registration information and available forms.
The NC Department of Health and Human Services provides more information concerning this too.
Other important resources for you to abide by as you seek certification include the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) websites.
5 Interior Design Schools in North Carolina
If you do not know what online or in-person training program to enroll in, seek guidance from CIDA or NCIDQ.
See also more information at North Carolina’s Alliance of Interior Designers chapter.
Someone somewhere has to know how to receive the accredited training that will prepare you for exam qualification.
Meredith College
If you are looking for a smaller school with a more personal feel, consider attending Meredith College in Raleigh.
This school offers an undergraduate degree in interior design that prepares students for careers in both residential and commercial settings.
Meredith College also has a strong arts focus, so students who attend this school will get plenty of exposure to different styles and aesthetics.
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University offers classes within its School of Design and School of Architecture colleges.
Learn computerized drafting and practice real-life staging.
In addition, you can enhance your training by including art classes and learning how to mix colors, textures, lighting, and more.
Explore the undergraduate and graduate options and speak to an advisor to help you plan for working full-time in either Interior Design or Architecture.
Art Institute
The Art Institute of Charlotte has permanently closed.
However, you can still take Art Institute classes online.
Become acquainted with furniture and fabric selection, lighting and flooring, color and texture applications, and computerized drafting.
The faculty at The Art Institute of Charlotte has a CIDA accreditation, so it follows the standards set by the NCIDQ exam eligibility guidelines.
University of North Carolina Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro also offers CIA-approved degree programs for interior designers.
You can choose the program that best fits your needs.
The education you receive covers more than just combining colors and textures or furniture and lighting.
You may involve yourself in both computerized and physical modeling and learn about the human and environmental impacts of the designs you create for residential, commercial or public, and institutional purposes.
Learn design trends and history too.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte also offers a variety of degree programs in architecture and interior design.
You will study related art and technology courses too and customize your training to comply with CIDA and NCIDQ standards.
Learn how different colors, textures, lighting, furniture, and more work with one another to create a safe and hopefully eco-friendly display.
Interior Design Schools in North Carolina – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Meredith College | 3800 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607 |
| North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC 27695 |
| Art Institute of Charlotte | 2110 Water Ridge Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28217 |
| University of North Carolina Gueensboro | 1400 Spring Garden Street Greensboro, NC 27412 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223 |
Salary
North Carolina interior designers may earn an average of approximately $53,231 after about two to four years of schooling and at least two years of full-time experience.
Assistants may start out at about $30,000-$40,000 per year while still working under another certified designer until they complete their own certifications.
Find jobs in Raleigh, Charlotte, Lexington, and more.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $47,773 |
| Raleigh | $47,194 |
| Greensboro | $46,608 |
| Durham | $46,921 |
| Winston Salem | $46,721 |
| Fayetteville | $44,751 |
| Cary | $47,194 |
| High Point | $46,887 |
| Wilmington | $44,482 |
| Asheville | $44,830 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 120 | $59,290 | $28.51 | $82,600 | $36,010 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 570 | $63,310 | $30.44 | $93,210 | $37,610 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 100 | $67,210 | $32.31 | $90,650 | $40,420 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 160 | $61,050 | $29.35 | $81,630 | $36,990 |
| Raleigh, NC | 370 | $62,200 | $29.9 | $79,280 | $38,110 |
| Wilmington, NC | 210 | $46,310 | $22.26 | $64,720 | $37,840 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 90 | $59,800 | $28.75 | $77,650 | $36,790 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do interior designers normally work in NC?
Interior designers generally work in an office setting either at home or for an agency.
However, they usually have to spend time on-site as construction workers build a place.
If it is a large project, such as for a high-rise office complex, groups of designers may work together or each one specializes in their room concentrations (ex: kitchen, bathroom, or living room).
What is the interior designer certification process in NC?
Usually, it starts with seeking both volunteer and paid experiences as an assistant.
During this time, you need to start your schooling to make sure you finish the classroom portion as soon as possible.
Once you have completed at least 60 hours of coursework and obtained two years of experience working with interior designers, you can prepare to take the NCIDQ exam.
How much does certification cost?
Schooling tuition varies.
Some colleges may cost at least $2,000-$4,000 per semester.
Online schools may cost less if they offer virtual versions of the textbooks normally included.
You also have to pay NCID exam fees, which run at least a few hundred dollars.
Do I have to have my own interior design business?
No, you do not have to work on your own if you do not want.
Plenty of NC design firms will hire you, and you may start part-time and work toward full-time at first if still in school.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State