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The differences between curriculum specialists and instructional design specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a curriculum specialist and an instructional design specialist. Additionally, an instructional design specialist has an average salary of $54,282, which is higher than the $50,949 average annual salary of a curriculum specialist.
The top three skills for a curriculum specialist include math, curriculum development and K-12. The most important skills for an instructional design specialist are instructional design, subject matter experts, and powerpoint.
| Curriculum Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $50,949 | $54,282 |
| Hourly rate | $24.49 | $26.10 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 1,583 | 44,814 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The primary job of curriculum specialists is to develop, assess, and improve curricula and instruction. They are responsible for guiding teachers on their teaching methods, conducting research and making recommendations for improvements, and evaluating existing curricula alongside teachers and administrators. A curriculum specialist is expected to assist in creating and revising instructional materials, analyzing student data, and evaluating and improving the utilization of classroom materials. You are also responsible for finding appropriate curricula and textbooks to improve the student body's learning outcomes.
An instructional design specialist is responsible for developing instructional materials mainly used for training and education. Among their responsibilities include identifying and understanding the program or project's needs, performing extensive research and analysis, consulting with experts, devising training and assessment plans, and ensuring that all instructional materials adhere to a program or project's objectives. Moreover, as an instructional design specialist, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Curriculum specialists and instructional design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Curriculum Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $50,949 | $54,282 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $70,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | AARP | Baker Hughes |
| Best paying industry | Education | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a curriculum specialist and an instructional design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Curriculum Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Elementary Education | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between curriculum specialists' and instructional design specialists' demographics:
| Curriculum Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 22.9% Female, 77.1% | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 5.4% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 5.5% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |