Life As an 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.
Life As an Instructional Designer or Technologist
- Design instructional aids for stand-alone or instructor-led classroom or online use.
- Recommend changes to curricula or delivery methods, based on information such as instructional effectiveness data, current or future performance requirements, feasibility, and costs.
- Develop instructional materials and products for technology-based redesign of courses.
- Edit instructional materials, such as books, simulation exercises, lesson plans, instructor guides, and tests.
- Recommend instructional methods, such as individual or group instruction, self-study, lectures, demonstrations, simulation exercises, and role-playing, appropriate for content and learner characteristics.
- Teach instructors to use instructional technology or to integrate technology with teaching.
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What Every Instructional Designer or Technologist Should Know
When polled, Instructional Designers and Technologists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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
- Instructional Designer
- Instructional Design Technologist
- Instructional Design Specialist
- Team Lead, Teacher Support and Student Intervention
- Instructional Technology Resource Teacher
Is There Job Demand for Instructional Designers and Technologists?
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.
What is the Average Salary of an Instructional Designer or Technologist
The salary for Instructional Designers and Technologists ranges between about $36,360 and $102,200 a year.
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Instructional Designers and Technologists
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
How do I Become an Instructional Designer or Technologist?
Education needed to be an Instructional Designer or Technologist:
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.
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