What You Need to Know About Instructional Designer or Technologist
Position Description Develop instructional materials and products and assist in the technology-based redesign of courses. Assist faculty in learning about, becoming proficient in, and applying instructional technology.
Daily Life Of an Instructional Designer or Technologist
- Recommend instructional methods, such as individual or group instruction, self-study, lectures, demonstrations, simulation exercises, and role-playing, appropriate for content and learner characteristics.
- Design learning products, including web-based aids or electronic performance support systems.
- Interview subject matter experts or conduct other research to develop instructional content.
- Provide technical advice on the use of current instructional technologies, including computer-based training, desktop videoconferencing, multimedia, and distance learning technologies.
- Assess effectiveness and efficiency of instruction according to ease of instructional technology use and student learning, knowledge transfer, and satisfaction.
- Develop measurement tools to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction or training interventions.
Featured schools near , edit
What Every Instructional Designer or Technologist Should Know
These are the skills Instructional Designers and Technologists say are the most useful in their careers:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Certified Performance Technologist
- Educational Technologist
- Learning Development Specialist
- IT Senior Analyst (Instructional Technology Senior Analyst)
- Instructional Design Consultant
Instructional Designer or Technologist Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 163,200 jobs for Instructional Designer or Technologist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 17,200 new jobs for Instructional Designer or Technologist by 2026. The BLS estimates 16,900 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Instructional Designer or Technologist are Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Wyoming, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Instructional Designer or Technologist Salary
The average yearly salary of an Instructional Designer or Technologist ranges between $36,360 and $102,200.

Instructional Designers and Technologists who work in Connecticut, District of Columbia, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Instructional Designers and Technologists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $72,270 |
Alaska | $69,130 |
Arizona | $52,310 |
Arkansas | $58,380 |
California | $80,860 |
Colorado | $67,520 |
Connecticut | $92,330 |
Delaware | $67,640 |
District of Columbia | $93,400 |
Florida | $52,900 |
Georgia | $66,820 |
Hawaii | $68,880 |
Idaho | $53,390 |
Illinois | $67,540 |
Indiana | $62,760 |
Iowa | $69,450 |
Kansas | $57,320 |
Kentucky | $60,530 |
Louisiana | $51,200 |
Maine | $63,250 |
Maryland | $73,430 |
Massachusetts | $76,270 |
Michigan | $66,750 |
Minnesota | $69,070 |
Mississippi | $58,730 |
Missouri | $59,400 |
Montana | $54,430 |
Nebraska | $64,870 |
Nevada | $65,740 |
New Hampshire | $62,800 |
New Jersey | $75,980 |
New Mexico | $60,740 |
New York | $71,440 |
North Carolina | $56,480 |
North Dakota | $63,030 |
Ohio | $64,680 |
Oklahoma | $55,800 |
Oregon | $78,200 |
Pennsylvania | $67,890 |
Rhode Island | $59,090 |
South Carolina | $58,040 |
South Dakota | $62,150 |
Tennessee | $56,220 |
Texas | $66,060 |
Utah | $57,530 |
Vermont | $59,440 |
Virginia | $75,710 |
Washington | $68,480 |
West Virginia | $55,880 |
Wisconsin | $65,270 |
Wyoming | $67,300 |
What Tools do Instructional Designers and Technologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Instructional Designers and Technologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- SAS
- Microsoft Publisher
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Extensible markup language XML
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
Becoming an Instructional Designer or Technologist
What kind of Instructional Designer or Technologist requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Instructional Designers and Technologists?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
Image Credit: Disarnot via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |