What is an Instructional Designer or Technologist?
Job Description & Duties 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
- Design instructional aids for stand-alone or instructor-led classroom or online use.
- Adapt instructional content or delivery methods for different levels or types of learners.
- Develop measurement tools to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction or training interventions.
- Research and evaluate emerging instructional technologies or methods.
- Develop instructional materials and products for technology-based redesign of courses.
- Provide technical advice on the use of current instructional technologies, including computer-based training, desktop videoconferencing, multimedia, and distance learning technologies.
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What an 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:
- Instructional Technology Coordinator
- Instructional Design Specialist
- Instructional Designer
- Education Specialist
- Instructional Technology Facilitator
Instructional Designer or Technologist Employment Estimates
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. 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 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 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?
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?
Education needed to be an Instructional Designer or Technologist:

How Long Does it Take to Become an Instructional Designer or Technologist?

Where do Instructional Designers and Technologists Work?

Instructional Designers and Technologists work in the following 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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