Job prospects Designer - Interior Design in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "designer - interior design" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Interior designers and interior decorators (NOC 52121) in Ontario for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• A moderate number of 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
• Spending by homeowners on maintenance and repairs could lead to work opportunities in this field
• Real estate resale activities may support the need for home staging consultants
• The large base of retailers, such as building material and supplies dealers, and furniture stores will also be sources of employment

 

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

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

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

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