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Instructional Designers Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Instructional Designer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

... Designers, ensuring alignment with certification standards, learning objectives, and learner needs. Responsibilities * Content Development: Design complex instructional materials, assessments, and ...

Instructional Designer Lead

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site +1

$70K - $90K/yr

Coach and support Instructional Designers to follow the ADDIE model and to meet quality standards. Conduct quality assurance (QA) reviews. Estimate project costs and develop schedules in ...

Instructional Designer

Birmingham, AL ยท On-site

$60K - $82K/yr

Effectively manage individual workload and prioritize tasks with direction from senior instructional designers or project leads. * Occasionally facilitate internal courses or system walk-throughs to ...

Instructional Designer Lead

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site +1

$70K - $105K/yr

... Designers to determine learning strategies, create curriculum maps, and appropriate assessment approaches. โ€ข Guide the use of appropriate learning technologies and tools to enhance training ...

Instructional Designer

Huntsville, AL ยท On-site

$64K - $86K/yr

Effectively manage individual workload and prioritize tasks with direction from senior instructional designers or project leads. * Occasionally facilitate internal courses or system walk-throughs to ...

Instructional Designer

$74K - $124K/yr

Work with Sr. Instructional Designers, Learning Consultants, and Subject Matter Experts to conduct needs analyses for development of overarching training goals, requirements, and specific objectives ...

Instructional Designer

Birmingham, AL ยท On-site

$60K - $82K/yr

This role works under the guidance of senior and staff instructional designers to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment with established templates and learning objectives. POSITION ...

Instructional Designer

Norfolk, VA ยท On-site

$62K - $85K/yr

SEACORP is seeking Instructional Designers at various levels to support mission-critical defense programs by developinghigh-quality dynamic, engaging, and experiential learning content with ...

Formally trains Instructional Designers in Instructional Design methodology. * Leads system-wide initiatives; leads instructional designers as resources within project and coaches them as needed.

Part-Time Instructional Designer

$66K - $90K/yr

Instructional Designers operate within a Learning Pod model, partnering cross-functionally to drive certification outcomes and continuously improve learning effectiveness. This is a part time role ...

Instructional Designer

Albany, NY ยท Remote

$61K - $68K/yr

... designers to enhance Excelsior's course development methodologies and resources. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty ...

Instructional Designer

Charlotte, NC

$63K - $86K/yr

Contract Overview We are supporting a large scale integration initiative tied to upcoming organizational changes and are seeking multiple Instructional Designers to help design and develop enablement ...

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Instructional Designers information

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$44K

$79.7K

$124K

How much do instructional designers jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for instructional designers 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Instructional Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Instructional Designer, you need expertise in curriculum development, learning theory, and assessment strategies, often supported by a degree in instructional design, education, or a related field. Proficiency 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 deliver engaging and effective learning experiences. These competencies are vital for creating educational content that meets organizational goals and enhances learner outcomes.

Do instructional designers make good money?

Instructional designers typically earn a median salary ranging from $60,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in e-learning tools and curriculum development can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000. The profession often requires proficiency with learning management systems and instructional design software.

What is the difference between Instructional Designers vs E-Learning Developers?

AspectInstructional DesignersE-Learning Developers
CredentialsTypically hold degrees in education, instructional design, or related fields; certifications like CPTD or ATD are commonOften have backgrounds in multimedia, computer science, or graphic design; certifications in e-learning tools are common
Work EnvironmentDesigns educational programs, curriculum, and training materials, often in corporate, academic, or government settingsDevelops and programs e-learning modules, using authoring tools and multimedia software
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across education, corporate training, and government sectorsPrimarily in e-learning, online education, and corporate training industries

While Instructional Designers focus on designing effective learning experiences and curricula, E-Learning Developers specialize in creating the digital and multimedia components of online courses. Both roles often collaborate but have distinct skill sets and responsibilities within the educational and training sectors.

Are instructional designers in high demand?

Instructional designers are in high demand across various industries as organizations seek to develop effective training and e-learning programs. The role requires skills in curriculum development, e-learning tools, and instructional design models, with job growth expected to continue due to increasing adoption of digital learning solutions.

What are some common challenges instructional designers face when developing e-learning courses, and how can they overcome them?

Instructional designers often encounter challenges such as aligning course content with learning objectives, engaging diverse learners, and keeping up with new educational technologies. Successfully overcoming these challenges involves collaborating closely with subject matter experts, utilizing learner feedback to refine materials, and staying current with instructional design trends and tools. Building strong project management skills and fostering open communication within the team also help ensure that courses are effective, relevant, and delivered on time.

How close is AI to replacing instructional designers?

AI can assist instructional designers by automating tasks like content generation and data analysis, but it cannot fully replace the role, which requires creativity, contextual understanding, and learner engagement. Instructional designers use tools like authoring software and learning management systems, and their expertise remains essential for designing effective, personalized learning experiences.

What are instructional designers?

Instructional designers are professionals who create educational experiences and materials to help people learn more effectively. They use principles of learning theory, technology, and instructional design models to develop courses, training programs, and other learning resources. Instructional designers often collaborate with subject matter experts, educators, and organizations to analyze learning needs, design content, and assess the effectiveness of their solutions. Their work can be found in schools, corporations, government agencies, and online learning platforms.

What exactly does an instructional designer do?

An instructional designer develops educational materials and learning experiences by analyzing learner needs, designing curriculum, and creating content such as e-learning modules, instructor-led training, and assessments. They often use tools like learning management systems (LMS) and require skills in curriculum development, instructional theory, and multimedia design.
More about Instructional Designers jobs
What cities are hiring for Instructional Designers jobs? Cities with the most Instructional Designers job openings:
What states have the most Instructional Designers jobs? States with the most job openings for Instructional Designers jobs include:
Lead Instructional Designer

Lead Instructional Designer

ACAMS LLC

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Other

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Who We Are:
ACAMS is the leading international membership organization dedicated to providing opportunities for anti-financial crime education, best practices, and peer-to-peer networking to AFC professionals globally. With over 120,000 members across 200+ countries and territories, ACAMS is committed to the mission of combatting financial crime through the provision of anti-money laundering/counterterrorism-financing, anti-fraud and sanctions knowledge-sharing, thought leadership, risk-mitigation services, and platforms for public-private dialogue. The association's CAMS certification is the gold-standard qualification for AFC professionals. It also offers CGSS certification for sanctions professionals, CAFS certification for anti-fraud professionals, and CCAS certification for AFC practitioners in the crypto space. ACAMS' 65+ Chapters globally further amplify the association's mission through training and networking initiatives. Visit acams.org for more information.
Opportunity at a Glance
ACAMS Lead Instructional Designer, reporting to the Sr. Manager, Instructional Design, is a lead level role responsible for ensuring the highest standards of instructional quality and content accuracy across ACAMS's certification and certificate course products. With advanced expertise in instructional design and a deep understanding of the subject matter domain, the Lead Instructional Designer collaborates closely with Product Managers, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and Media Producers to ensure content meets audience needs and supports ACAMS's business goals. This role is ideal for an experienced Instructional Designer with a strong grasp of subject matter content, exceptional attention to detail, and a commitment to producing impactful, learner-centered materials tailored for professionals preparing for certifications and credentials.
In addition to their quality assurance responsibilities, the Lead Instructional Designer performs in-depth quality assurance reviews of instructional materials developed by other Instructional Designers, ensuring alignment with certification standards, learning objectives, and learner needs.
Responsibilities
  • Content Development: Design complex instructional materials, assessments, and interactive elements that align with learning objectives and industry standards, using innovative strategies to enhance learner engagement
  • Build Relationships with SMEs: Work closely with SMEs to ensure content accuracy and relevance, translating complex subject matter into effective, learner-centered materials
  • Content Quality Assurance and Leadership: Review instructional materials to ensure high standards of quality, accuracy, and alignment with goals. Provide feedback to improve consistency, mentor team members, and act as a subject matter resource
  • Team Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align efforts with product goals and learner needs
  • Innovation in Instructional Design: Drive the adoption of innovative instructional strategies to enhance learning experiences and maintain cutting-edge content
  • Knowledge Management and Reusability: Develop reusable, modular content by working with knowledge management resources to ensure consistency and scalability across courses
  • Quality and Consistency Standards: Establish quality assurance processes and guidelines to maintain content consistency, accessibility, and inclusivity

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Education, Learning & Development, or a related field, or recent equivalent experience; advanced degree preferred
  • 5+ years of experience in instructional design, preferably within the professional training, EdTech, or financial services sector; experience with professional certification is a strong plus
  • Deep understanding of subject matter domains and certification standards, with the ability to transform complex content into clear, engaging, and effective learning materials
  • Advanced writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce and review instructional content optimized for learner success
  • Expertise in collaborating with SMEs, managing relationships, and ensuring content accuracy and alignment with product goals
  • Knowledge of content re-use strategies and the ability to work with knowledge management tools to develop scalable, reusable instructional materials
  • Proven track record in performing quality assurance reviews of instructional materials and mentoring junior instructional designers
  • Excellent communication skills to provide feedback and guidance to team members
  • Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, with a focus on improving the overall quality and impact of learning products
  • Detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to creating high-quality learner experiences
  • Must be a fluent English speaker; additional modern languages are a plus
  • Ability to work flexible (off) hours and occasionally align with other ACAMS regions' time zones
  • Ability to travel if required

#LI-Remote
EEO
We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. At ACAMS, we welcome everyone and have a strong commitment towards diversity and inclusion. We encourage our Colleagues to be their true authentic selves and support laws that prohibit discrimination everywhere we do business. We also maintain a drug-free workplace.