What You Need to Know About Instructional Designer or Technologist
Job 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.
Life As an Instructional Designer or Technologist: What Do They Do?
- Design learning products, including web-based aids or electronic performance support systems.
- Develop measurement tools to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction or training interventions.
- Edit instructional materials, such as books, simulation exercises, lesson plans, instructor guides, and tests.
- Develop master course documentation or manuals according to applicable accreditation, certification, or other requirements.
- Provide technical support to clients in the implementation of designed instruction or in task analyses and instructional systems design.
- Assess effectiveness and efficiency of instruction according to ease of instructional technology use and student learning, knowledge transfer, and satisfaction.
What Every Instructional Designer or Technologist Should Know
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Education Specialist
- Human Performance Technologist
- Instructional Designer
- IT Senior Analyst (Instructional Technology Senior Analyst)
- Instructional Technologist
Are There Job Opportunities for Instructional Designers and Technologists?
There were about 163,200 jobs for Instructional Designer or Technologist in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
Salary for an Instructional Designer or Technologist
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.
How much do Instructional Designers and Technologists make in each U.S. state?
| 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Instructional Designers and Technologists
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
How do I Become an Instructional Designer or Technologist?
Are there Instructional Designers and Technologists education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become an Instructional Designer or Technologist?
Where Instructional Designers and Technologists Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Instructional Designers and Technologists employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Disarnot via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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