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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Instructional Designer in Virginia is $97,019 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, an Instructional Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Instructional Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $106,956 | $8,913 | $2,057 | $51 |
| Average | $97,019 | $8,085 | $1,866 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,084 | $7,257 | $1,675 | $42 |
Prevailance - Virginia Beach, VA
BEI Tactical - Virginia Beach, VA
Detroit Engineered Products - Falls Church, VA
Detroit Engineered Products - Falls Church, VA
An 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 an 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 Instructional Designer | $66,108 |
| Curriculu... Level Instructional Designer | $81,349 |
| Instructi... Level Instructional Designer | $94,949 |
| Curriculu... Level Instructional Designer | $109,534 |
| Curriculu... Level Instructional Designer | $145,767 |
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 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 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, Instructional Designer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Instructional Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $114,483 | $55.0 | 18% |
| Internet | $110,602 | $53.0 | 14% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $108,662 | $52.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $106,721 | $51.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $106,721 | $51.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an 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 | $106,956 | $8,913 | $2,057 | $51 |
| Average | $97,019 | $8,085 | $1,866 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,084 | $7,257 | $1,675 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Instructional Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Hatalom
Virginia Beach, VA
Hatalom | Virginia Beach, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Position Summary. Hatalom Corporation is currently seeking Instructional Designers in support of the Center for Security ... more
7 Days Ago
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
Arlington, VA
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology | Arlington, VA
A leading health organization is seeking a Contract Instructional Designer to create engaging eLearning and instructor-led training courses.The ideal candi... more
4 Days Ago
Redhorse Corporation
Arlington, VA
Redhorse Corporation | Arlington, VA
Job Description. Job Description. About the Organization. Now is a great time to join Redhorse Corporation. We are a solution-driven company delivering dat... more
5 Days Ago
Prevailance
Virginia Beach, VA
Prevailance | Virginia Beach, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. This position is contingent upon successful contract submission and award. Prevailance is seeking an. Instru... more
5 Days Ago
Team Carney
Arlington, VA
Team Carney | Arlington, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Are You Ready To Accelerate Performance And Strengthen Our Nation’s Law Enforcement. At Team Carney, we believe that true... more
6 Days Ago
QXO
Herndon, VA
QXO | Herndon, VA
OverviewJoin to apply for theJr.Instructional Designer (Remote)role atQXO.QXO is a publicly traded company founded by Brad Jacobs with the goal of building... more
7 Days Ago
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