Mid-Level

Instructional Design Technologist

You mentor teachers on technology integration. As an Instructional Technology Mentor, you're coaching educators, demonstrating techniques, and helping teachers build confidence with classroom technology.

Career Level
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Work Personality
S
E
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Socialhelping, teaching
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Instructional Design Technologists
Employment concentration · ~358 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Instructional Design Technologist

Instructional design technologists bridge instructional design and educational technology—designing learning experiences that are realized through digital tools, platforms, and media. The role requires both pedagogical knowledge and technical proficiency with authoring tools (Articulate, Captivate), LMS platforms, and multimedia production.

The technical dimension can expand or constrain the design. Knowing what a tool can do opens possibilities; not knowing its limitations can lead to designs that are technically infeasible or that compromise learning. Strong ID technologists develop genuine proficiency with their tools—not just surface familiarity.

People who tend to do well enjoy both the design and production sides of learning technology work—they're as comfortable in Storyline as they are in a design conversation about learning objectives. If you find the combination of pedagogical thinking and technical craft satisfying, and can stay curious about emerging tools and approaches without abandoning proven design principles, ID technologist roles tend to be varied, in-demand, and professionally engaging.

RelationshipsHigh
IndependenceHigh
AchievementAbove avg
Working ConditionsModerate
RecognitionModerate
SupportLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Instructional Design Technologists (SOC 25-9031.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$47K–$115K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
211K
U.S. Employment
+1.3%
10yr Growth
22K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$74K$72K$69K$67K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$74K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Learning StrategiesSpeakingInstructingWritingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningMonitoringActive LearningCoordinationCritical Thinking
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
25-9031.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.