Furniture Designers
Overview
Introduction
Furniture designers design and develop concepts for building furnishings like chairs, tables, and couches. They work closely with their clients to get a thorough understanding of what kind of product is needed.
Furniture designers may work for a company that specifically builds furniture or for a large design firm that is contracted by furniture manufacturers. Furniture designers spend most of their time in an office working on ideas but also spend time meeting with clients.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average annual salary for all commercial and industrial designers was $66,590 in May 2018. The lowest paid 10 percent of designers earned less than $38,630, and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $108,040. Designers in managerial or executive positions generally earn higher salaries.
Benefits for furniture designers with establishe...
Work Environment
Furniture designers spend a great deal of time in an office working on sketches and technical drawings. They also have to meet with clients on a regular basis. Some work takes place in manufacturing facilities, from a small woodshop to the factory floor of a $2 billion operation. Designers must communicate regularly with builders and production workers to make sure they understand the process, ...
Outlook
Employment for industrial designers who work in furniture and related product manufacturing is expected to decline through 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Most openings will result from the need to replace designers who leave the industry. Some new jobs will emerge because a growing number of consumers are interested in purchasing furniture that is not just utilitarian but also...
