Associate Instructional Designer Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Instructional Designer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Instructional Designer in the United States is $66,499 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,781
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,092 to $76,592
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,527
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View as table View as graph 25% $57,092 10% $48,527 90% $85,781 75% $76,592 $66,499 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Associate Instructional Designer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $76,592 $6,383 $1,473 $37
Average $66,499 $5,542 $1,279 $32
25th Percentile $57,092 $4,758 $1,098 $27
Check out Associate Instructional Designer Job Openings in the United States
Instructional Designer

George J. Igel & Co., Inc. - Columbus, OH

Instructional Designer

Randstad Usa - Columbus, OH

K-5 ELA Instructional Designer (Remote)

McGraw Hill - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Associate Instructional Designer Salaries

An Associate 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Associate Instructional Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $64,278
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $64,539
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $67,966
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $72,523
  • Expert (over 8 years): $72,848
Levels Salary
Entry Level Associate Instructional Designer$64,278
Intermediate Level Associate Instructional Designer$64,539
Senior Level Associate Instructional Designer$67,966
Specialist Level Associate Instructional Designer$72,523
Expert Level Associate Instructional Designer$72,848
$64,278 0 yr
$64,539 < 2 yrs
$67,966 2-4 yrs
$72,523 5-8 yrs
$72,848 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Associate Instructional Designers

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: $83,875
  • San Francisco: $82,956
  • Oakland: $81,208

What Skills Can Increase an Associate Instructional Designer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.97% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.93% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Online Learning (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): An education that takes place over the Internet. It is often referred to as “e- learning” among other terms.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.97%
Microsoft Office 1.93%
Online Learning 1.17%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Associate Instructional Designer's salary.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Storyboard: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Development
$71,154
7%
Consulting
$71,154
7%
Storyboard
$70,489
6%
Instructor-Led Training
$70,489
6%
Content Development
$70,489
6%
Commitment
$69,824
5%
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Associate Instructional Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Instructional Designer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Associate Instructional Designer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Associate Instructional Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Associate Instructional Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$73,149$35.010%

How Education impacts an Associate Instructional Designer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Instructional Designers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Associate Instructional Designer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $63,851 and $69,337).

Associate Instructional Designer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Instructional Designer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.6%
High School 3.6%
Associates 6.5%
Bachelors 32.6%
Masters 53.6%
Doctorate 3.6%
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Associate Instructional Designer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Associate Instructional Designer

Salaries for an Associate Instructional Designer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $56,551 in 2023 to around $55,126 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Associate Instructional Designer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Associate Instructional Designer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$56,551
2024
$55,713
2025
$55,126
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $56,551
2024 $55,713
2025 $55,126
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Associate Instructional Designer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Associate Instructional Designer

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

Find Your Next Associate Instructional Designer Job

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

United States
  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    3 Days Ago

  • eviCore healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    eviCore healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Provides timely expert medical review for requests to evaluate the medical necessity of services that do not meet utilization review criteria while located... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Alto Health Care Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    RN

    Alto Health Care Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Position Overview. We are currently seeking experienced and compassionate Registered Nurses (RNs) to join our network of healthcare professionals. As a Reg... more

    3 Days Ago

  • AMN Healthcare, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    AMN Healthcare, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description & Requirements Gastroenterology Physician StartDate: ASAP Available Shifts: 32 Days of Paid Time Off A nationally recognized organization c... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    5 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Associate Instructional Designer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Associate Instructional Designer?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Instructional Designer roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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.

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