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Freelance Instructional Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

STI

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Nashville, TN · On-site

IF Fingerprinting is Yes, then please follow these instructions: * * * Go to www.identogo.com ... freelance, or contract experience desired. No Skills Others Software Skills Working knowledge of ...

Princess House

Web Designer

Mansfield, MA

$82K/yr

Collaborate with the Digital Marketing Manager, freelance web designers, junior web designers ... Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job ...

Princess House

Web Designer

Mansfield, MA · On-site

Collaborate with the Digital Marketing Manager, freelance web designers, junior web designers ... Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job ...

The Hartford

Marketing Production Designer

Wayne, PA · On-site

Ability to follow written instructions thoroughly and to communicate clearly and proactively with ... internships or freelance work welcome). * Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign ...

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Freelance Instructional Designer information

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$44K

$79.7K

$124K

How much do freelance instructional designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

More about Freelance Instructional Designer jobs

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What are the most commonly searched types of Instructional Designer jobs?

The most popular types of Instructional Designer jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Instructional Designer jobs?

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The top searched job categories for Freelance Instructional Designer jobs are:

Freelance Instructional Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Instructional Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 44% Full Time, 54% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 63% Physical, and 37% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,711 per year, or $38.3 per hour.

Freelance Business Education Subject Matter Expert

GW, Inc.

Saint Louis, MO • Remote

$21.75 - $28/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Please Note: This role requires a minimum of 1 year of teaching experience at the collegiate level.


GW Inc. is a publishing services provider currently hiring Subject Matter Experts in the field of business to help develop student assessments and activities and instructor resources for educational textbooks, especially in the area of Marketing and Management. This work is fully remote (within the U.S.), flexible, and doesn’t interfere with your schedule as you can accept or reject work as your schedule allows. GW SMEs are an integral part of our team and help develop materials for textbook publishing and educational content.

You would be helping us create:

  • Assessments and activities
  • Instructor manuals
  • Teaching guides


The content you create will be for some of the biggest academic publishers in the world. You’ll also receive feedback from our in-house Instructional Designers.


We’re especially interested in business and management experts who have experience in the following areas:

  • Marketing
  • Negotiation
  • Human Resource Management
  • Business Ethics
  • Organizational Behavior


Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree or higher
  • Experience teaching relevant content at collegiate level
  • Experience writing learning content or assessments
  • Exceptional writing skills
  • Must use Microsoft Word to complete work
  • Located in the United States


If you’re interested in learning more about joining our SME pool and are excited about developing business content, please submit your resume as well as a list of courses you’ve taught.