Job prospects Interior Designer in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "interior designer" in Ontario or Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

Note: These outlooks were updated on November 29^th, 2023. Learn more about our methodology.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Interior designers and interior decorators (NOC 52121) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Employed in a variety of industries, but the majority work in specialized design services, which include interior design businesses
• Self-employment

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Population growth, which is resulting in higher levels of residential construction, especially of condominium developments in various areas of the province
• Spending by homeowners on maintenance and repairs could lead to work opportunities in this field
• Real estate resale activities may support home staging consultants

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• In addition to other formal education, employers tend to seek candidates with experience using design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Photoshop
• Roles under this occupational group have differing educational and licensing requirements:
  • The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) is a self-regulatory organization and only registered members can use the title ‘Interior Designer.’

Here are some key facts about Interior designers and interior decorators in Ontario:

• Approximately 10,150 people work in this occupation.
• Interior designers and interior decorators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 63%
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 10%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 10%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 75% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 25% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 51% of interior designers and interior decorators work all year, while 49% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 46% of interior designers and interior decorators are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 20% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 80% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 15% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 34% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 36% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 8% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "interior designer" Interior designers and interior decorators (NOC 52121) or Canada.

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