All About Instructional Designers and Technologists
Instructional Designer or Technologist Example 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.
Instructional Designer or Technologist Responsibilities
- Provide analytical support for the design and development of training curricula, learning strategies, educational policies, or courseware standards.
- Develop instructional materials, such as lesson plans, handouts, or examinations.
- Assess effectiveness and efficiency of instruction according to ease of instructional technology use and student learning, knowledge transfer, and satisfaction.
- Conduct needs assessments and strategic learning assessments to develop the basis for curriculum development or to update curricula.
- Research and evaluate emerging instructional technologies or methods.
- Recommend changes to curricula or delivery methods, based on information such as instructional effectiveness data, current or future performance requirements, feasibility, and costs.
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Things an Instructional Designer or Technologist Should Know How to Do
Instructional Designers and Technologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Types of Instructional Designer or Technologist Jobs
- Instructional Technology Specialist
- Lead Performance Support Analyst
- Instructional Design Consultant
- Instructional Design Technologist
- Technology Infusion Specialist
Instructional Designer or Technologist Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 163,200 jobs in the United States for Instructional Designer or Technologist. 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. There will be an estimated 16,900 positions for Instructional Designer or Technologist per year.

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.
Average Instructional Designers and Technologists Salary
The typical yearly salary for Instructional Designers and Technologists is somewhere between $36,360 and $102,200.

Instructional Designers and Technologists who work in Connecticut, District of Columbia, or California, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Instructional Designers and Technologists 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 & Technology do Instructional Designers and Technologists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Instructional Designers and Technologists:
- 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?

What work experience do I need to become an Instructional Designer or Technologist?

Instructional Designers and Technologists Sector

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.
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