Technical: This is an entry-level position, primarily responsible for drafting. Candidates' experience ranges from almost none to over five years in the field. A technical degree is the minimum education required, but if the employee advances to the title of designer or job captain, a more advanced degree would be necessary.

Job Captain: This person is primarily responsible for construction documents, setting up the preliminary set of drawings, detailing the design, taking the drawings through the plan-check process and construction administration. Job captains also track submittals. The minimum education required for this position varies; degrees in architecture or interior design as well as those from technical schools are beneficial. Strong AutoCAD (computer aided drafting) skills have become highly desirable for new job captains, as has expertise in construction detailing.

Designer: The range of experience in this position varies tremendously, and salaries reflect this. There are entry-level designers with minimal experience, and more seasoned designers who have 15 to 20 years under their belt. Responsibilities vary according to skill level but generally entail space planning, finish and furniture specifications, design and detailing of interiors. Ability to use AutoCAD is a necessity, as is a bachelor's of art, architectural or interior design degree.

Project Manager: Those hired as project managers tend to have a minimum of 10-15 years of experience. They are responsible for setting and maintaining budgets and schedules for their assigned projects. They organize tasks and coordinate team activity according to the needs of the client and the project. In contact with clients daily, they act as a liaison between contractors and clients. They are responsible for review and ultimate approval of all work completed on a project. Some companies also incorporate design responsibilities under the project manager's list of responsibilities. A minimum of a bachelor of arts degree or a degree in architecture or interior design is expected.

Vice President: Have exceptional expertise and considerable experience. Responsible for marketing, nurturing and maintaining relationships. Someone at this level tends to be more hands-on with projects, particularly if she has a strong design background. The VP often assumes the position of "principal in charge"of project teams. This position necessitates a bachelor of arts or degree in architecture or interior design.

Senior Vice President: Similar to the vice president, this position's responsibilities are marketing the firm, creating and maintaining relationships with clients. A firm such as Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum is comprised of several distinct practice areas, such as interiors, aviation corporate, healthcare and sports. Senior vice presidents are experts, and provide the leadership role for the firm's areas of practice. They are also very involved at the corporate level with the board of directors and various committees within the firm.

Contract design, with a sizable contingent of large firms, can be more business-oriented in culture and discipline than residential design. An HOK employee says, "HOK tends to be very corporate. It is a very large company, and is driven by the financial aspect of design. Having said that, the people who work for the firm are all very talented, so the design process can be very exciting and inspiring. I think that [people] need to realize that interior design is only partly about being creative. It is also about the ability to communicate, to organize, to work smart and be efficient." Unlike smaller, residential firms, contract designers are usually required to have formal schooling in design and several years' experience to assume any position of authority. Many firms also expect passage of the NCIDQ exam.

Pay and Perks

Salary levels are similar to residential design, if not slightly higher. Design staff median annual salary is $40,400, CAD operators $47,000, Designers $59,000, Project Managers are the next pay level up at $75,000 and Principal/Partners typically achieve $115,000. As in residential design, geographic location and prestige of the firm impact salary levels. According to the ASID website, "Designers working in large, commercial firms in major metropolitan areas and those serving in management and consulting positions earn more than those in smaller firms and those who primarily do design work." Perks include opportunities to travel, and to work on large, well known projects.