That was how much?

Finances in Interior Design

UT County Comparison

5,146 square foot home in Salem, UT $364,900

5,000 square foot home in Mapleton, UT $399,500

5,475 square foot home in Eagle Mountain, UT $389,500

5,296 square foot home in Provo, UT $799,999

5,500 square foot home in Alpine, UT $895,000

5,000 square foot home in Sundance, UT $3,250,000

US Comparison

How much house can you buy with $500,000?

Atlanta

• 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths

• 3,200 square feet on the two main floors (not including the basement square footage)

• Year built: 1992

• Price: $500,000

Located in Norcross, an Atlanta suburb approximately 30 minutes north of the city, this European-style house has numerous upgrades in the kitchen, and a finished basement with a wet bar and bath. "The neighborhood has swimming and tennis facilities and excellent schools,"

Chicago

• 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths

• Year built: 2000

• Offered at $525,000This recently renovated extra large duplex home in East Village has three outdoor decks for entertaining, extra storage, garage parking, is within walking distance to restaurants, bars and shopping, and has easy access to Blue Line transit.

Charlotte

• 4 bedrooms, 2 baths

• 3,231 square feet on 0.76 acres

• Year built: 1965

• Priced at $499,900This brick home in the popular Lansdowne neighborhood is located on a large cul-de-sac lot. It has an updated kitchen with a large breakfast room and French doors leading to a deck.

Los Angeles

• 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo

• 1,161 square feet

• Year built: 1964

• Offered at $529,900Located north of Santa Monica Boulevard and south of West Sunset Boulevard, this bank-owned foreclosure offers views of the city, a rooftop pool and valet parking.

Phoenix

• 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths

• 4,528 square feet on a 0.31-acre lot

• Year built: 2003

• Offered at $525,000This property is nestled in the exclusive Anthem Country Club, with mountain and city views. It is in a guarded golf course community, and has a guest casita with separate entrance, and a three-car garage. A kitchen with granite countertops, library with built-in bookcases and a backyard bar and heated pool and spa complete this listing.

San Diego

• 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhouse

• 1,256 square feet

• Year built: 2004

• Price: $559,000This townhouse, located in Gaslamp City Square in downtown San Diego, faces the courtyard with a pool view and has secured parking. "Downtown San Diego has also been hurt by market conditions and increased inventory and rapid new construction over the past eight years,"

Tampa

• 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths

• 3,845 square feet on a .24-acre lot

• Year built: 2005

• Price: $550,000This house is located in suburban Wesley Chapel, and has been on the market for two months. It has a screened pool, heated spa and a bonus room. It's part of a gated subdivision and has a three-car garage. "There are plenty of foreclosures and short sales happening in the Tampa area, and buyers can get good value for their money,"

New York

• Studio apartment

• 545 square feet

• Price: $569,000This large alcove studio is steps from Central Park and features a new kitchen and bath, big closets and a whole wall of windows overlooking the city, including views of Central Park. The 20-story condo building also has an exercise room, indoor playroom and outdoor playground.

Pottery Barn $30 $699

Anthropologie$48 $198

You get paid for that?

Careers in Interior Design

Interior Designer - $53,720

What They Do:

Plan, design, and furnish interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Formulate design which is practical, aesthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving life style. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.

How to Become One:

Most states require applicants to pass a test given by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. Some states require designers to meet education and experience requirements.

Housing Architect- $72,550

What They Do:Architects plan and design buildings and other structures. Architects spend most of their time in offices, where they consult with clients, develop reports and drawings, and work with other architects and engineers. However, architects often visit construction sites to review the progress of projects. Many work more than 50 hours per week.

How to Become One:There are three main steps in becoming a licensed architect: earning a professional degree in architecture, gaining work experience through an internship, and passing the Architect Registration Exam.

General Contractor- $76,920

What They Do:General contractors or construction managers are in charge of construction projects, such as buildings, roads, or bridges. They review plans for a project and figure out how to build it.

How to Become One:

To work as a construction manager, you typically need to have at least an associate degree; and have more than five years of related work experience. Many construction managers have a bachelor's degree. Recommended areas of study are construction science, construction management, or civil engineering.

Landscape Architect- $72,000

What They Do:Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.

How to Become One:Most states require landscape architects to be licensed or registered. Many states also require landscape architects to pass exams about laws and plant materials native to the state. Licensing requirements vary by state.

Painter- $34,280

What They Do:

Painters apply paint, stain, and coatings to walls, buildings, bridges, and other structures.

How to Become One: Although most painters learn their trade informally on the job, some learn through a formal apprenticeship.

Floral Designer - $22,340

What They Do:Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage. Designers select flowers, greenery, and decorations to be used in the arrangements. They cut and trim flowers and foliage and keep them fresh in treated water. They create bouquets, wreaths, or other types of arrangements as requested.

How to Become One:Employers look for trainees who have a flair for color and a desire to learn. Most employers require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or GED. However, some employers prefer applicants who have formal training (up to a bachelor's degree) as floral designers.

Set and Exhibit Designers - $33,440

What They Do:Set designers determine what furnishings are needed for a play, movie, or theater set. Exhibit designers usually create displays for museums and libraries.

How to Become One:Employers look for designers who have an eye for color and detail. Sketching skills are helpful for many jobs. A good portfolio (a collection of a person's best work) is often the deciding factor in getting a job. Set and exhibit designers usually have a bachelor's degree.

Electrician - $48,250

What They Do: Electricians install and maintain electrical systems in homes, businesses, and factories.

How to Become One:

Although most electricians learn through a formal apprenticeship, some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require licensure.

Realtor- $42,680

What They Do:Real estate brokers and sales agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. Brokers and agents do the same type of work, but brokers are licensed to manage their own real estate businesses. Sales agents must work with a broker.

How to Become One:In every state and the District of Columbia, real estate brokers and sales agents must be licensed. To become licensed, candidates must be high school graduates, be at least 18 years old, and complete a particular number of hours of real estate courses.

Plumber- $46,660

What They Do:Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases to and in businesses, homes, and factories.

How to Become One:Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some start out by attending a technical school. Most states and localities require plumbers to have a license.