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The role of a Curriculum Designer is integral in shaping educational experiences across various institutions. As of October 2025, the average annual salary is approximately $54,176, translating to about $26 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on factors such as geographical location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities.
Entry-level positions may start at a lower range, while seasoned professionals can command higher salaries. For instance, those with extensive experience or specialized skills may earn significantly more.
Location plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. States with a higher cost of living, such as California and New York, often offer salaries above the national average. By examining local salary data, aspiring Curriculum Designers can identify the best regions for maximizing their earning potential.
Career prospects for Curriculum Designers are diverse, spanning K-12 schools, higher education, and corporate training environments. Understanding the salary landscape can help job seekers make informed decisions about their career paths.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level curriculum designer | $46,900 | $22.57 |
| Mid-level curriculum designer | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Senior-level curriculum designer | $69,000 | $33.15 |
The average curriculum designer salary in Connecticut, Maryland, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average curriculum designer salary states are Florida, Mississippi, and Indiana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $73,378 | $35.28 |
| 2 | Maryland | $74,348 | $35.74 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $77,184 | $37.11 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $73,189 | $35.19 |
| 5 | Washington | $65,475 | $31.48 |
| 6 | Oregon | $62,511 | $30.05 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $68,309 | $32.84 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $61,150 | $29.40 |
| 9 | Virginia | $62,102 | $29.86 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $60,135 | $28.91 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $59,701 | $28.70 |
| 12 | Michigan | $57,077 | $27.44 |
| 13 | Nevada | $60,836 | $29.25 |
| 14 | California | $58,089 | $27.93 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $55,101 | $26.49 |
| 16 | Idaho | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| 17 | Delaware | $60,906 | $29.28 |
| 18 | Illinois | $55,143 | $26.51 |
| 19 | Utah | $52,718 | $25.35 |
| 20 | Texas | $53,063 | $25.51 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $58,971 | $28.35 |
| 22 | Nebraska | $55,041 | $26.46 |
| 23 | Alaska | $63,007 | $30.29 |
| 24 | Vermont | $56,177 | $27.01 |
| 25 | Colorado | $53,831 | $25.88 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $55,506 | $26.69 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $51,239 | $24.63 |
| 28 | Georgia | $50,697 | $24.37 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $50,827 | $24.44 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $53,396 | $25.67 |
| 31 | Ohio | $49,954 | $24.02 |
| 32 | Arizona | $51,822 | $24.91 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $51,011 | $24.52 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $47,574 | $22.87 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $48,187 | $23.17 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $49,293 | $23.70 |
| 38 | Maine | $47,034 | $22.61 |
| 39 | Kansas | $45,582 | $21.91 |
| 40 | Alabama | $45,357 | $21.81 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $46,806 | $22.50 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $47,209 | $22.70 |
| 43 | Florida | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| 44 | Missouri | $45,981 | $22.11 |
| 45 | Montana | $45,593 | $21.92 |
| 46 | Iowa | $42,225 | $20.30 |
| 47 | Indiana | $43,506 | $20.92 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $45,146 | $21.70 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $43,960 | $21.13 |
| 50 | Kentucky | $42,283 | $20.33 |
| 51 | West Virginia | $35,429 | $17.03 |
The highest-paying cities for curriculum designers are New York, NY, San Mateo, CA, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $73,728 | $35.45 |
| 2 | San Mateo, CA | $62,261 | $29.93 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $60,112 | $28.90 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $57,725 | $27.75 |
| 5 | Rochester Hills, MI | $57,455 | $27.62 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $55,571 | $26.72 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs, CO | $53,378 | $25.66 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $53,254 | $25.60 |
| 9 | Raleigh, NC | $52,801 | $25.39 |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $51,916 | $24.96 |
| 11 | Tampa, FL | $45,410 | $21.83 |
A curriculum designer's salary ranges from $38,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $76,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $76,000 | $6,333 | $37 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
| Average | $54,176 | $4,515 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 10th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
The highest paying types of curriculum designers are director, educational research and product strategy, senior instructional systems designer, and senior instructional designer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocational Training Instructor | $56,294 | $4,691 | $27.06 | 46,814 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $48,344 | $4,029 | $23.24 | 25,255 |
| Instructional Design Technologist | $64,845 | $5,404 | $31.18 | 87,908 |
| Instructional Designer And Trainer | $65,072 | $5,423 | $31.28 | 70,222 |
| Instructional Designer Internship | $33,791 | $2,816 | $16.25 | 94,366 |
| Instructional Systems Designer | $65,907 | $5,492 | $31.69 | 104,993 |
Top companies hiring curriculum designers now:
Curriculum designer salaries at Edelman Financial Engines and Duolingo are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average curriculum designer salary at companies like Weatherford International and Chicago Public Schools are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edelman Financial Engines | $98,770 | $47.49 |
| 2 | Duolingo | $88,319 | $42.46 |
| 3 | Weatherford International | $66,991 | $32.21 |
| 4 | Chicago Public Schools | $64,987 | $31.24 |
| 5 | Centene | $64,334 | $30.93 |
| 6 | Hartwick College | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| 7 | Volkswagen Group of America | $63,901 | $30.72 |
| 8 | Northrop Grumman | $63,456 | $30.51 |
| 9 | Audi Dallas | $62,036 | $29.82 |
| 10 | Amplify | $57,728 | $27.75 |
| 11 | Fayetteville State University | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| 12 | Robert Half | $48,464 | $23.30 |
| 13 | Woodward Academy | $48,285 | $23.21 |
The average curriculum designer salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Insurance | $64,717 | $31.11 |
| 2 | Education | $55,621 | $26.74 |
| 3 | Technology | $54,044 | $25.98 |
| 4 | Finance | $50,759 | $24.40 |
| 5 | Hospitality | $49,351 | $23.73 |
The average curriculum designer salary has risen by $6,221 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average curriculum designer earned $47,955 annually, but today, they earn $54,176 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for curriculum designers over the last decade.
Compare curriculum designer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare curriculum designer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $54,200 | $26.05 | +1.0% |
| 2025 | $53,600 | $25.78 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $52,100 | $25.07 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $51,600 | $24.79 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $50,500 | $24.29 | +0.3% |
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