Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Instructional Designer in Iowa is $89,060 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, a Lead Instructional Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered Talent
Lead Instructional Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $97,800 | $8,150 | $1,881 | $47 |
| Average | $89,060 | $7,422 | $1,713 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,300 | $6,608 | $1,525 | $38 |
Humach - Newton, IA
Bailey Education Group, LLC - Sioux City, IA
Cyntergy - TULSA, OK
Cyntergy - TULSA, OK
A Lead Instructional Designer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Instructional Designer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Curriculu... Level Lead Instructional Designer | $61,560 |
| Curriculu... Level Lead Instructional Designer | $75,753 |
| Lead Inst... Level Lead Instructional Designer | $88,418 |
| Curriculu... Level Lead Instructional Designer | $101,999 |
| Curriculu... Level Lead Instructional Designer | $135,740 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lead Instructional Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Lead Instructional Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Lead Instructional Designer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Instructional Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $105,091 | $51.0 | 18% |
| Internet | $101,529 | $49.0 | 14% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $99,748 | $48.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $97,966 | $47.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $97,966 | $47.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Lead Instructional Designer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $97,800 | $8,150 | $1,881 | $47 |
| Average | $89,060 | $7,422 | $1,713 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,300 | $6,608 | $1,525 | $38 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Instructional Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Floor
TEMPE, AZ
Floor | TEMPE, AZ
Base Pay This role has a minimum base pay from $17.30 per hour with higher starting pay available based on experience. Purpose: Floor & Decor Sr. Designer ... more
3 Days Ago
True Spec Golf
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
True Spec Golf | SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Position: Graphic Designer Department: Marketing Reports To: Director of Marketing Operations Office Location: Scottsdale, AZ (Full Time, On-Site) Job Summ... more
3 Days Ago
Adams Outdoor
CHARLOTTE, NC
Adams Outdoor | CHARLOTTE, NC
JOB SUMMARY: Adams Outdoor Advertising (AOA), the 4th largest and largest private Outdoor Advertising firm in the U.S., is seeking an experienced Graphic D... more
3 Days Ago
THE SHADOW COMPANY
NEW YORK CITY, NY
THE SHADOW COMPANY | NEW YORK CITY, NY
SHADOW is seeking a Senior Designer to join our Creative team. The ideal candidate has 5-8 years of experience working in a creative agency or brand enviro... more
3 Days Ago
FastSigns
EAST PEORIA, IL
FastSigns | EAST PEORIA, IL
Benefits: 401(k) matching Paid time off Opportunity for advancement Do you want a creative outlet balanced with structure and simplicity to make a beautifu... more
3 Days Ago
Galpin Motors, Inc
LOS ANGELES, CA
Galpin Motors, Inc | LOS ANGELES, CA
Description Galpin Motors, a leader in the automotive industry, is looking for a talented and experienced Graphic Designer to join our dynamic advertising ... more
3 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
