SalaryMap
Education

Instructional Designer Salary (2025)

Instructional designers create educational content and training materials.

$66,290
Median Annual
$32/hr
Hourly Rate
$45,000
Entry Level
$98,000
Senior Level

Salary Range

$45,000
$98,000

Median: $66,290 — positioned between entry and senior

Top Paying States for Instructional Designers

StateEst. Annual Salaryvs. National
Hawaii$94,000+42%
California$91,000+37%
New York$85,000+28%
Alaska$83,000+25%
Massachusetts$83,000+25%
New Jersey$80,000+21%
Connecticut$78,000+18%
Washington$76,000+15%

Estimates based on cost-of-living index adjustments. Actual salaries vary by employer and experience.

How to Become a Instructional Designer

Most Instructional Designer positions require: Bachelor's or Master's in Instructional Design. Salaries typically increase significantly with experience and specialization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Instructional Designer salary?

The median Instructional Designer salary is $66,290 per year, which works out to approximately $32/hour based on a 40-hour work week.

How much does an entry-level Instructional Designer make?

Entry-level Instructional Designers typically earn around $45,000 per year. Salaries grow significantly with experience and specialization.

What is a senior Instructional Designer's salary?

Experienced Instructional Designers can earn up to $98,000 or more annually depending on location, employer, and specialization.

What education is required to become a Instructional Designer?

Most Instructional Designer positions require: Bachelor's or Master's in Instructional Design.

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