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Interior designers appreciate constructing spaces that are convenient and enjoyable but also functional for inhabitants.
To gain these skills, interior designers must understand human behavioral tendencies, safety requirements, and accessibility standards while having a keen eye for design.
Also, knowing the specific type of individuals who will be interacting in a space helps interior designers develop an ideal balance between buildings and humans.
This is accomplished through aesthetic elements found in an office, home, or other building types including textures, colors, flooring types, ceiling heights, and more!
If you are interested in creating spaces like these across different industries, learn more about becoming an interior designer in Texas!
Article Table of Contents
Texas Requirements for Interior Designers
Interior designers are regulated by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE), which requires experts to take the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) exam before starting the registration process with the state.
Once the exam has been completed, you must submit a registration application to the TBAE with a $100 application fee.
Also, all applicants are required to take a criminal background history check before the TBAE can register them with the state.
Once your registration has been approved, the state requires annual renewal by submitting a $105 fee while completing 12 hours or more of continuing education.
The TBAE offers an online list of ways to earn continuing education hours.
Many graduating students opt to complete an internship program or earn a master’s degree.
In addition to counting towards education and experience credits for the NCIDQ, these paths will differentiate you from the competition who does not have any experience or only hold a bachelor’s degree.
Also, a master’s degree or internship will boost your credibility in the eyes of employers while allowing clients to develop a deeper confidence level in your expertise and skills.
To earn the NCIDQ certification, you must take a three-part exam, which consists of IDFX (Interior Design Fundamentals), IDPX (Interior Design Professional, and PRAC (Practicum).
To start, you must first apply and submit a $225 fee.
Next, you must complete each test and pay $295 for the IDFX portion, $350 for the IPDX segment, and $455 for the PRAC exam.
Once earned, the NCIDQ requires you to pay an annual fee of $75, which allows you to continue using the certified interior designer or interior designer title.
5 Interior Design Schools in Texas
With major cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, Texas has a variety of excellent interior design schools including:
Abilene Christian University
Offering a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design degree, Abilene Christian University also requires prospective graduates to complete an internship, which counts for credits, before finishing their junior year in this four-year program.
Annual tuition and fees for the program total around $35,000 per year.
Baylor University
Featuring a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, Baylor University is an excellent design school with accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges since 1914
Located in Waco, Texas, Baylor is centrally located to draw students from Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.
Texas Christian University
Located in Fort Worth, Texas Christian has a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design degree that can be completed in four years and requires an internship to graduate.
Tuition and fees (including room and board) run around $47,000 per year.
Texas Community Colleges
For those who are not interested in pursuing a four-year degree and want to jump right into the field faster, many community colleges around the state offer an associate’s or certificate in Interior Design.
The best-known community colleges for interior design include Collin County Community College District, Dallas College, El Paso Community College, Houston Community College, and San Jacinto Community College.
The Art Institute of Austin
As part of The Art Institute system, which has representation in every major U.S. city, The Art Institute of Austin has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree program, which can be completed in just under four years.
The current annual tuition and fees cost a staggering $88,000 per year with supplies and books totaling an additional $3,000.
The high cost is due to the school’s prestige in the design community and the exceptional faculty.
Interior Design Schools in Texas – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Abilene Christian University | 1600 Campus Ct, Abilene, TX 79601 |
| Baylor University | 1311 S 5th St, Waco, TX 76706 |
| Texas Christian University | 2800 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76129 |
| Texas Community Colleges | |
| The Art Institute of Austin | 1204 Chestnut St, Bastrop, TX 78602 |
Salary
The median U.S. salary for an interior designer is almost $49,000 per year with pay ranging from $29,000 to $58,000.
In Texas, your location dictates the salary due to the cost of living.
Therefore, larger cities tend to pay more.
For instance, the median income of an interior designer working in Dallas is around the national average, while an interior designer working in Wichita Falls makes an annual median income of around $44,000.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $49,988 |
| Dallas | $48,452 |
| San Antonio | $47,423 |
| Austin | $47,964 |
| El Paso | $42,657 |
| Fort Worth | $47,521 |
| Arlington | $47,443 |
| Corpus Christi | $45,775 |
| Plano | $48,244 |
| Garland | $48,348 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 740 | $68,350 | $32.86 | $90,670 | $46,270 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 30 | $85,360 | $41.04 | $141,270 | $31,350 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,540 | $64,770 | $31.14 | $96,150 | $35,410 |
| El Paso, TX | 40 | $47,480 | $22.83 | $75,480 | $27,550 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 1,130 | $64,070 | $30.8 | $100,550 | $35,580 |
| Lubbock, TX | 40 | $55,740 | $26.8 | $80,020 | $29,120 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 360 | $60,490 | $29.08 | $89,840 | $33,700 |
| Waco, TX | 30 | $50,700 | $24.37 | $75,180 | $30,690 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the career outlook for an interior designer in Texas?
According to the Projections Managing Partnership, the interior design field is expected to increase by 15.5% over the next decade.
In 2016, 5,930 interior designers were working across the state, and that number is expected to increase to 6,850 by 2026.
What Texas cities offer the highest paying interior design positions?
The top three cities to achieve the highest paying salaries in Texas are Bellaire, Houston, and Alief.
What kinds of jobs do interior designers get in Texas?
Interior designers can be employed by a variety of firms ranging from architectural to bath and kitchen retailers, home furnishing retailers, store design, and so many more opportunities.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State