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Course instructor vs online instructor

The differences between course instructors and online instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a course instructor has an average salary of $49,389, which is higher than the $45,114 average annual salary of an online instructor.

The top three skills for a course instructor include course curriculum, syllabus and course materials. The most important skills for an online instructor are skype, math, and zoom.

Course instructor vs online instructor overview

Course InstructorOnline Instructor
Yearly salary$49,389$45,114
Hourly rate$23.74$21.69
Growth rate8%2%
Number of jobs28,25537,219
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4442
Years of experience4-

What does a course instructor do?

A course instructor typically works at a school or other instructional institution. Besides teaching, they are primarily responsible for developing syllabi, creating learning materials, creating lesson plans, creating coursework, administering examinations, grading, and monitoring the students' progress. Additionally, a course instructor may organize seminars for their students and invite guest speakers to provide additional insights.

What does an online instructor do?

An Online Instructor teaches remote post-secondary classes through the use of email, discussion pages, and video. They develop a curriculum based on the best knowledge in the field.

Course instructor vs online instructor salary

Course instructors and online instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Course InstructorOnline Instructor
Average salary$49,389$45,114
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $77,000Between $32,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityArlington, VAAlbany, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkVermont
Best paying companyJacobs Engineering GroupNew York University
Best paying industryNon ProfitsManufacturing

Differences between course instructor and online instructor education

There are a few differences between a course instructor and an online instructor in terms of educational background:

Course InstructorOnline Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Course instructor vs online instructor demographics

Here are the differences between course instructors' and online instructors' demographics:

Course InstructorOnline Instructor
Average age4442
Gender ratioMale, 58.1% Female, 41.9%Male, 33.5% Female, 66.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 6.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.9% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 8.1% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%11%

Differences between course instructor and online instructor duties and responsibilities

Course instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and upload SCORM content to the LMS for delivery.
  • Achieve certification in high ropes course training, CPR and first aid.
  • Assist classmates with developing positive study habits and strategies for managing classroom material.
  • Create course syllabus, determine course requirements, facilitate class discussion.
  • Develop and revise the course syllabus, introducing improve instruction criteria and evaluation standards leading to elevate quality of graduate students.
  • Apply first aid, CPR, and a when need.
  • Show more

Online instructor example responsibilities.

  • Utilize blackboard management system to encourage online discussions and manage grades.
  • Prepare and deliver instruction to students in topics such as literature, grammar, and writing.
  • Develop course materials such as course calendar, syllabus, handouts, and additional resources for students.
  • Develop rubric syllabus, and introduction materials.
  • Serve as theory instructor for medical-surgical nursing and pharmacology for junior students and leadership and management nursing for senior students.
  • Collaborate with faculty to provide input for student IEP's and PPT meetings.
  • Show more

Course instructor vs online instructor skills

Common course instructor skills
  • Course Curriculum, 10%
  • Syllabus, 8%
  • Course Materials, 8%
  • Blended Learning, 6%
  • DOD, 6%
  • ELearning, 6%
Common online instructor skills
  • Skype, 14%
  • Math, 13%
  • Zoom, 12%
  • Learning Objectives, 10%
  • K-12, 7%
  • Mathematics, 6%

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