upper level job

Curriculum and Instructional Designer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Curriculum and Instructional Designer I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Curriculum and Instructional Designer I in the United States is $57,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, a Curriculum and Instructional Designer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,069
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,300 to $67,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,287

Key Factors That Influence Curriculum and Instructional Designer I Salaries

A Curriculum and Instructional Designer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Curriculum and Instructional Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Curriculum and Instructional Designer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $54,688
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $57,976
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $64,340
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $65,272
  • Expert (over 8 years): $65,737
Levels Salary
Entry Level Curriculum and Instructional Designer I$54,688
Intermediate Level Curriculum and Instructional Designer I$57,976
Senior Level Curriculum and Instructional Designer I$64,340
Specialist Level Curriculum and Instructional Designer I$65,272
Expert Level Curriculum and Instructional Designer I$65,737

Top Paying Cities for Curriculum and Instructional Designer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $72,100
  • San Francisco: $71,300
  • Oakland: $69,800

Curriculum and Instructional Designer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Curriculum and Instructional Designer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $59,054. While startup companies pay approximate $50,430.

Curriculum and Instructional Designer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $50,430
Growth Stage 51~500 $53,218
Established 501~5000 $57,156
Enterprise 5000+ $59,054

Curriculum and Instructional Designer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Curriculum and Instructional Designer I roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 31% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 18% above the average. Conversely, Curriculum and Instructional Designer positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Curriculum and Instructional Designer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Curriculum and Instructional Designer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$67,737$33.018%

Curriculum and Instructional Designer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Curriculum and Instructional Designer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$47,300
Average $57,200/year
$67,600
$3,942
Average $4,767/month
$5,633
$910
Average $1,100/week
$1,300
$23
Average $28/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,600 $5,633 $1,300 $33
Average $57,200 $4,767 $1,100 $28
25th Percentile $47,300 $3,942 $910 $23

Curriculum and Instructional Designer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Curriculum and Instructional Designer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Curriculum and Instructional Designer I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Curriculum and Instructional Designer II $66,800 17%
Associate Dean of Career Development $74,500 30%
Associate Dean of Computer and Information Systems $96,200 68%
Educational Consultant $115,001 101%

Most common benefits for Curriculum and Instructional Designer I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Curriculum and Instructional Designer I

Here are companies hiring for Curriculum and Instructional Designer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Curriculum and Instructional Designer I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Curriculum and Instructional Designer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Curriculum and Instructional Designer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Curriculum and Instructional Designer I?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for Curriculum and Instructional Designer I roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst