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Freelance Instructional Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cengage Learning

Sr Learning Manager

Ohio, IL · On-site +1

Support freelance and vendor content creators as necessary to ensure content quality and timely ... instructional design, learning design, or related field. * Experience in designing inclusive ...

Cengage Learning

Sr Learning Manager

Charleston, WV · On-site +1

Support freelance and vendor content creators as necessary to ensure content quality and timely ... instructional design, learning design, or related field. * Experience in designing inclusive ...

Phoenix Fashion Inc

Be Seen First

Freelance Pattern Maker

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$45 - $60/hr

Provide organized pattern cards, sewing instructions, and technical documentation to facilitate ... Collaborate with designers, sample makers, and production staff to troubleshoot fit and ...

Phoenix Fashion Inc

Be Seen First

Freelance Pattern Maker

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$45 - $60/hr

Provide organized pattern cards, sewing instructions, and technical documentation to facilitate ... Collaborate with designers, sample makers, and production staff to troubleshoot fit and ...

Triup, Inc.

Designer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Prepare clear and detailed design instructions and visual references for artists and painters ... freelance projects, school projects, or personal creative activities * Proficiency in Adobe ...

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How much do freelance instructional designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance instructional designer in the United States is $79,711.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $88,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance instructional designer?

A freelance instructional designer is a self-employed professional who creates educational materials and learning experiences for clients on a contract basis. They design courses, training programs, e-learning modules, and instructional content tailored to the needs of organizations or individuals. Unlike full-time employees, freelance instructional designers work independently, managing multiple projects for various clients and often specializing in different industries or subject areas. Their work involves analyzing learning objectives, developing content, and using various technologies and authoring tools to deliver effective training solutions.

What does a freelance instructional designer do?

As a freelance instructional designer, you contract with companies to create resources and content for training courses. You design audio, storyboards, and graphic images and then implement the components into training objectives and materials that help develop the desired skills. You also work to redesign coursework meant for a classroom for use in online programs. You identify areas for performance improvement and ensure that you meet all educational and industry standards. To succeed as a freelance instructional designer, you need excellent teaching, analytical, and communications skills. You also need to stay up to date with instructional methods.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance instructional designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Instructional Designer, you need expertise in curriculum development, learning theory, and adult education, often supported by a degree in instructional design or a related field. Familiarity with e-learning authoring tools like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, and learning management systems (LMS) is typically required. Strong communication, creativity, and project management skills help you collaborate with clients and deliver engaging learning experiences. These skills ensure the creation of effective, customized training solutions that meet diverse client needs and drive learning outcomes.

How do freelance instructional designers typically collaborate with subject matter experts and clients during course development projects?

Freelance instructional designers often work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) and clients through virtual meetings, shared project management tools, and regular check-ins to ensure content accuracy and alignment with learning objectives. Communication is key; designers must clarify project expectations, gather feedback, and adapt materials based on SME input and client needs. While the work is often remote and independent, successful freelancers develop strong collaboration skills to keep projects on track and deliver high-quality learning experiences that meet client goals.

What is the difference between Freelance Instructional Designer vs E-learning Developer?

AspectFreelance Instructional DesignerE-learning Developer
CredentialsTypically requires instructional design certifications or degreesOften needs technical skills and familiarity with e-learning tools
Work EnvironmentFreelance, remote, project-basedFreelance or employed, often remote or in-house
Industry UsageUsed across education, corporate training, and nonprofitsPrimarily in e-learning development, tech, and education sectors
Search & Comparison IntentHigh overlap in project scope and skillsRelated but more technical focus

Freelance Instructional Designers focus on designing learning experiences and curricula, often working independently with clients. E-learning Developers specialize in creating digital learning content using technical tools. While both roles collaborate closely, the instructional designer emphasizes curriculum design, whereas the developer handles technical content creation. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right expertise for their training projects.

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Freelance Instructional Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Instructional Designer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 57% In-person, and 43% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,711 per year, or $38.3 per hour.

Instructional Designer (elearning + vILT)

Remote

TorranceLearning
E-Learning • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about TorranceLearningexternal

$60/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

About the Role
TorranceLearning is supporting a large-scale learning initiative for a critical federal agency, developing self-paced elearning and virtual instructor-led training (vILT). We're looking for experienced instructional designers who are comfortable with contract work and know how to turn complex content into clear, engaging, performance-focused learning. This is not an entry-level role. We're looking for people who can step in quickly, work confidently with SMEs and cross-functional teams, and produce strong design work in a fast-paced, iterative environment. If you're practical, collaborative, and skilled at designing learning that helps people do their jobs better, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Details
Pay
$60/hour, 1099 contractor
Hours
Approximately 15-35 hours/week, depending on project needs. This is project-based contract work, so weekly hours may fluctuate and are not guaranteed. This opportunity is best suited for someone who is comfortable with variable project hours and is not looking to replace a full-time position.
Location
Remote; work must be performed within the United States
Schedule
Availability during Eastern Time business hours is required for team and client collaboration.
Clearance
Must be able to obtain Public Trust clearance prior to contract start.
What You'll Do
  • Design engaging, performance-focused elearning and vILT
  • Work with SMEs to turn complex information into clear, practical learning
  • Create storyboards, scripts, activities, scenarios, and assessments
  • Use established templates and standards to maintain consistency across the curriculum
  • Collaborate with project managers, developers, and visual designers throughout development
  • Incorporate feedback and refine your work through iterative review cycles
  • Apply accessibility best practices, including Section 508 and WCAG
  • Manage multiple deliverables while maintaining quality and organization

What You Bring
We're looking for experienced instructional designers with strong fundamentals who are comfortable with project-based contract work and can adapt to an established team and process.
  • 3+ years of instructional design and learning development experience
  • Experience working as a contractor, freelancer, or 1099 professional and an understanding that project hours may vary over time
  • Experience designing elearning, vILT, or both
  • Strong adult learning, writing, and content-development skills
  • Experience creating detailed, development-ready storyboards
  • Ability to work effectively with SMEs and cross-functional teams
  • Comfort working within templates, standards, and an iterative development process
  • Familiarity with accessibility requirements

Nice to Have
  • Federal government or government-contractor experience
  • Experience with large-scale or multi-course learning projects
  • Familiarity with dominKnow Flow, Rise, or similar tools
  • Experience using ClickUp or another project management platform
  • Experience working in an Agile or iterative instructional design environment; familiarity with LLAMA® is a plus

Why This Role?
You'll be part of a collaborative learning team doing meaningful work that supports a federal initiative. This role offers the opportunity to shape how people learn, practice, and perform on the job-not just produce content. It's a strong fit for an experienced instructional designer who enjoys solving learning challenges, working with talented cross-functional teams, and producing high-quality work in an iterative environment.

Apply