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Freelance Instructional Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GW, Inc.

Associate Developmental Editor

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$19/hr

... in-house instructional designers and subject matter experts (SMEs) and by managing your own ... Critically evaluating content and assessments written by freelance SMEs/writers and bringing ...

Loop AI

Director of Customer Education

$100K - $125K/yr

Build and run the contractor and agency stack - instructional designers, video producers, freelance studios - and own the unit economics of every minute of content shipped Eligibility / Fit - You are ...

Loop AI

Director of Customer Education

San Francisco, CA

$100K - $125K/yr

Build and run the contractor and agency stack - instructional designers, video producers, freelance studios - and own the unit economics of every minute of content shipped Eligibility / Fit - You are ...

Loop AI

Director of Customer Education

San Francisco, CA

$100K - $125K/yr

Build and run the contractor and agency stack - instructional designers, video producers, freelance studios - and own the unit economics of every minute of content shipped Eligibility / Fit - You are ...

Onward Education

Para Educator

Lakeville, MN

Support academic instruction designed by special and general education teachers, including small ... All freelancers will be paid as W2 employees. * * Onward Search offers medical, dental, vision ...

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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 Sep 2, 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 35% Full Time, 63% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 55% Physical, and 45% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,711 per year, or $38.3 per hour.

Assistant Developmental Editor

Graphic World, Inc.

Saint Louis, MO • On-site

$17/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

FLEXIBLE/HYBRID SCHEDULING AVAILABLE
GW, a premier publishing services provider, is looking for a creative individual passionate about education and learning to join our growing team. As an Assistant Developmental Editor, you will be working in our Content Development team, which creates educational (instructional) content and assessments, focusing on higher education and adult learning.
Our mission is to (1) create content that enhances the learning experience, (2) create assessments that accurately assess mastery, (3) provide unmatched customer support throughout development, and (4) have a little fun along the way!
You will directly contribute to these causes by providing support to our in-house instructional designers and subject matter experts (SMEs).
Learn more about being a GW Associate here: 6 Q&As about Assistants at GW
Job Duties:
Your daily duties will include a mix of:
  • Ensuring content conforms to supplied templates (file formatting, order of content) Performing quality checks on content and assessments written by freelance SMEs/writers; including evaluating for overall quality, spelling, grammar, clarity, and alignment with project goals and correcting as needed
  • Occasionally writing/rewriting questions

As an Assistant Developmental Editor, the majority of your work will be done using Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
Who We Are Looking For:
Our ideal teammate is someone who is passionate about developing and improving educational content-someone who wants to make a difference each and every day. Additionally, this person is an organized and creative critical thinker who enjoys trying new things and who is comfortable creating new workflows, as needed, to achieve project goals.
Requirements:
We are looking for someone who checks 100% of these boxes.
  • Bachelor's degree or higher
  • Previous writing experience, in particular analytical writing
  • Experience with Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Word and Track Changes
  • Strong critical thinking skills
  • Strong writing and grammar skills
  • Strong organizational skills

Other Qualifications:
Although not required, these qualifications will give you a leg up:
  • 1+ year's experience in publishing, education (teaching or research), or training
  • Degree or working toward a degree in instructional design, higher education, or curriculum development
  • Intermediate/advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word Intermediate/advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel Prior customer service or project management experience Strong attention to detail
  • Ability to successfully prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously

What We Offer:
  • Opportunities for advancement
  • Variety! We work on a large number of disciplines, ranging from psychology to political science to criminal justice to nursing.
  • Generous vacation and holidays: 10 Vacation days your first year, 5 Health days, and 10 paid holidays
  • Full benefits: Health, Vision, Dental, Retirement, Disability, and Gym Membership Discount Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability coverage

Apply