Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for elearning specialists in the United States
Are elearning specialist jobs in demand?
Elearning specialist job and salary trends over time
Elearning specialist jobs over time
Elearning specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 83 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 81 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 76 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 73 | 0.00% |
Average elearning specialist salary over time
Elearning specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $71,898 | $34.57 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $70,190 | $33.74 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | $69,800 | $33.56 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $69,215 | $33.28 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $67,678 | $32.54 | +1.4% |
Elearning specialist jobs by state
Most common states for elearning specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 168 | 24% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 120 | 12% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 61 | 11% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 64 | 9% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 670 | 8% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 145 | 8% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 57 | 8% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 51 | 8% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 455 | 7% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 232 | 7% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 89 | 7% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 408 | 6% |
| 13 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 407 | 6% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 392 | 6% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 335 | 6% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 234 | 6% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 185 | 6% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 66 | 6% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 58 | 6% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 54 | 6% |
Most common cities for elearning specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $85,496 |
| 2 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $74,780 |
| 3 | Holland | 1 | 3% | $65,808 |
| 4 | Columbia | 1 | 1% | $85,428 |
| 5 | Frederick | 1 | 1% | $85,243 |
| 6 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $78,224 |
| 7 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $66,515 |
| 8 | Norman | 1 | 1% | $55,182 |
| 9 | Springfield | 1 | 1% | $75,021 |
| 10 | Tallahassee | 1 | 1% | $55,344 |
| 11 | Topeka | 1 | 1% | $66,651 |
| 12 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $59,612 |
| 13 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $82,495 |
| 14 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $78,278 |
| 15 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $64,689 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $60,696 |
| 17 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $85,894 |
| 18 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $86,400 |
Elearning Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of elearning specialist experts
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Indiana University Bloomington
Robert Morris University
New Mexico State University
Texas A&M University - Central Texas
Armstrong State University
Illinois State University
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Utah
Virginia Community College System
American University
University of the Ozarks
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
What general advice would you give to an Elearning Specialist?
Dr. Michael Menchaca: While it is important to have specialized knowledge of industry-standard tools such as Articulate, AI, etc., it is more important to understand design-thinking and possess strong problem-solving skills. Understanding and utilizing a design framework is key to the creation of contemporary learning systems.
What Elearning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Michael Menchaca: Possess a health balance of general design skills and specific tool knowledge. Understand which tools are prevalent by reviewing job descriptions (AI does a great job of this) and augment your skill set. Don't wait for your graduate program to cover every tool; sometimes you have to learn some on your own. Practice presentation and interview skills and look for practicums and internships in your program.
What will help Elearning Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Michael Menchaca: Funny you should ask. Artificial Intelligence is not over-hyped even though it may feel that way from the barrage of media and articles about it. If graduates don't at least have a working understanding of AI, especially as it relates to education, then they are behind. I especially advise that ed tech graduates practice prompt engineering and research AI as it relates to their specific areas of interest and expertise. In addition, complex problem-solving and understanding of cognition and neurosciences will be key.
Gamze Ozogul Ph.D.
Department Chair of Learning, Design, and Adult Education, LDAE, Associate Professor of Instructional Systems Technology, ISTIndiana University Bloomington
Educational/Instructional Media Design
What general advice would you give to an Elearning Specialist?
Gamze Ozogul Ph.D.: Experience may help with maximizing salary potential as one enters the career in my field. Generally, degree programs offer various options for that, e.g., Indiana University has a studio-based option for a residential MS program, or course projects with clients (both in online and residential programs), internships, service learning, being involved in research projects. If a starting job candidate can show evidence from various experiences in their graduation portfolio (website), it may help them maximize the salary potential as they start their career.
What Elearning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gamze Ozogul Ph.D.: Adaptability, flexibility, and being open to continuously learning (after the degree completion). Technology, learning environments, learning needs, and content to be mastered by the learners are constantly changing. The educational technologist has to be open to learn continuously and change and adapt to the changes happening in these areas. Additionally, soft skills such as being a team member and clear communication are very important, as educational technologists work in a team or lead a team.
What will help Elearning Specialists increase their earning potential?
Gamze Ozogul Ph.D.: Everyone needs to start somewhere. Learn most from each experience in the field and build your resume, experiences, and skills.
What general advice would you give to an Elearning Specialist?
Dr. Richard Fuller: AI is growing and becoming more and more part of the lexicon of teaching and learning in all areas of prek-12, higher education, and corporate training and development. This will need to be understood on both the offensive side, which is using AI as pedagogy as well as the defensive side to combat academic integrity issues. Online teaching and learning, in both synchronous and asynchronous modalities in addition to more traditional f2f methodologies and pedagogies, will become more and more important as Universities look for more sustainable tools. Much was learned during the pandemic lock-down and this knowledge and skill are being used in a post-pandemic world. Keep an open mind to new innovations in curriculum design and different theories and methods to map, align, and develop curriculum. This ever-changing dynamic is grounded, however, in the fundamentals that were learned through your degree. Additionally, stay up on all the technology that is advancing. This is key in the C&I; and the instructional design world. Tech moves very fast and what you know today is outmoded tomorrow. C&I; must stay current and active to assist others through teaching and design. Knowing how to use tech and different software is tantamount to success as an instructional designer or teacher.
What Elearning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Richard Fuller: Be open to opportunities that will present themselves in Prek-12, higher education or corporate training and development. Many places will see the value in hiring employees with the knowledge and skills that come with a Curriculum and Instruction (C&I;) degree and will create positions accordingly. Most organizations see the value of a training and development department with specific uses. Hospitals, k-12 schools, for profit organizations and nonprofit organization incorporate instructional designers with a curriculum and instruction degree. Even higher education (HE) hire instructional designers to work with faculty. HE faculty are subject matter experts but don’t know about instruction or curriculum or how to teach online or in person f2f. They also don’t understand the value or how to design and develop curriculum and transfer that to the classroom. PreK-12 utilize C&I; grads as both trainers and as coordinators of curriculum. This may require an advanced degree (graduate or doctoral), but nonetheless, it is an opportunity and something to think about as you progress through your career. Training and Development is an obvious opportunity in many corporations and organizations as C&I; prepared graduates have a body of knowledge and skills that align with training needs in designing and delivering training for corporate and organizational initiatives in all areas. There are those with a C&I; degree who also hold teaching certificates in some area of Prek-12. This may open other doors for them in teaching in the classroom but with the degree may present additional opportunities in an organization’s administrative capacity or training.
What will help Elearning Specialists increase their earning potential?
Carol Flinchbaugh Ph.D.: At this point, current graduates need to understand the transformative change that we are experiencing with generative AI. New employees need to understand the role of AI’s potential across every industry, and they must be open to continuous learning about AI. Ideally, they will have an opportunity for on-the-job training; however, things are changing so fast that employees often need to take initiative to keep themselves up-skilled with the recent technology changes.
What Elearning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mahyar Amirgholy Ph.D.: Starting out, I'd say keep your mind open and keep learning, especially about AI. It's super cool and more than just tech—it's a key to tackling big problems like climate change and pollution. So, when you're diving into your career, remember that learning about AI isn't just about getting ahead—it's about helping out our planet too. Embrace the tech, get creative, and see how you can use it to make a real difference.
Allen Redmon Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts and SciencesTexas A&M University - Central Texas
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
What general advice would you give to an Elearning Specialist?
Allen Redmon Ph.D.: Those who want to maximize their earning potential should consider a company’s culture as much as the job they are taking. Every company has its own culture. Those who find the right culture for them and grow into that culture will fare better than those who just accept a job without considering the culture of a company. Those who take a job without considering the culture will almost always experience a mismatch at some point, which will require them to look for a new job sooner than expected.
What Elearning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kymberly Harris PhD: In the coming years, proficiency in educational technology is expected to become increasingly important. Graduates should focus on honing their skills in integrating digital tools into the curriculum, leveraging data for informed decision-making, and staying abreast of advancements in online and blended learning environments. Additionally, addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in education will be crucial for educators to create inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments.
What general advice would you give to an Elearning Specialist?
Dr. Kymberly Harris PhD: New graduates entering the field of Curriculum & Instruction should prioritize building a diverse skill set, staying current with educational trends, and actively seeking opportunities for professional development. Cultivating strong verbal and written communication skills will enhance collaboration with colleagues, parents, and students. Adapting to evolving educational methodologies, such as culturally relevant pedagogies, will contribute to long-term success.
What general advice would you give to an Elearning Specialist?
Anthony Piña Ed.D.: If you have not done so already, become active in professional associations that align to your career interests. Attend (and consider presenting at) their professional conferences. This will be a source of professional development, networking, and future employment opportunities. Look for opportunities to gain practical experience-even as a volunteer. For example, if you have an interest in instructional design, you may check out Designers for Learning (designersforlearning.org), which can match you with service-learning opportunities. You should become familiar with the instructional designer competencies from the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (ibstpi.org) and work on those in which you might have less training or experience.
What will help Elearning Specialists increase their earning potential?
Anthony Piña Ed.D.: Working with and leading people-including managing conflict-is undertaught in our current ed tech programs. Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning will continue to rise in importance. Those going into industry (and increasingly in academe) are expected to have skills in multimedia/video production and interactive authoring, e.g., Articulate, Adobe Captivate. Of course, an ed tech professional will be expected to be up-to-speed in the use and affordances of AI.
What general advice would you give to an Elearning Specialist?
Jaunelle Celaire: Never stop learning! This may consist of going back to school, earning new certifications in your field of study, attending conferences and seminars, and making sure that your time management is always at its finest level of excellence.
What Elearning Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jaunelle Celaire: Leadership - the world needs more of these; the ability to lead, craft and grow. Digital literacy - this world is definitely turning digital and virtual is the new trend. Emotional intelligence - there is a vast number of personalities in our world today; individuals grow and it is our job to stay emotionally connected, so we can operate more effectively.
What will help Elearning Specialists increase their earning potential?
Jaunelle Celaire: Learn from everything. Remember every moment is a learning opportunity from everyone around you, no matter their title. Pay attention when things go well and clue in and pay extra attention when they do not; watch how people react to it. Build relationships and network with the people who face problems by being their solution.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Elearning Specialists to find work opportunities?
Sarah Kovalesky: This is kind of like the common, "what do I do with this degree" question I get as a Career Coach. I wish I had a magical folder to pull out with all of the answers in one place. Location and its place in the job search are based on the individual. It will be a non-negotiable, while for others, it might just be another factor to consider. As I mentioned, with the pandemic's impact, there is so much that a graduate could do with a psychology degree that could take them all over the country.
Celeste J. Hall
Career Coach Training Specialist Facilitating Career Development InstructorVirginia Community College System
How do you envision technology impacting Elearning Specialists in the next 5 years?
Celeste J. Hall: School Counselors and Career Specialists will need to continue to hone their skills with technologies that help them connect to students in the virtual environment. They will need to learn to apply helping skills to virtual platforms and use verbal interactions when they may have been able to read body language pre-pandemic. They will need to reach out to students through e-mail or text, and learn how to make and post videos to provide information and to demonstrate processes. School and counseling websites will need to be upgraded to include more information and ways to connect with counselors and career specialists.
Ethical considerations will need to be applied to the virtual world. Student privacy, crisis interventions, and student engagement are issues that need to be considered with the use of digital and virtual platforms.
What general advice would you give to an Elearning Specialist?
Raina Gandhi: First impressions matter and will stay with you, so remember to bring your most professional self to work, maintain a positive attitude, and put in the hours. When you make mistakes, learn from them.
Also, take the time to get to know your colleagues and workplace norms, make sure you understand how performance is measured, and don't be afraid to ask for feedback. As you get comfortable with your role, look for ways to take on additional responsibilities to expand your skillset and build your reputation within the company.
You may not land your dream job right away, but this first job is critical for building your experience and gaining transferrable skills. Stay current in your field by reading articles, subscribing to email newsletters, and following relevant people and companies on LinkedIn
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Elearning Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Raina Gandhi: In general, more companies will incorporate a digital workforce that utilizes AI, robots, and augmented reality. Specific technology would be near field communications, and software would be Tableau.
The latest consumer group is Generation Z, and this consumer group is still shaping and will take time to mature and shape its behavior and purchasing habits.
How do you envision technology impacting Elearning Specialists in the next 5 years?
Ruth Walton: The information age began in the 1980's and changed the workplace forever. I remember it well because I was working on my Master's Thesis, and I used a word processing program named Word-11. No more typewriters and no more whiteout. When I entered the world of work, computers were not a thing. I had a typewriter. Then, in the mid-'80s, each staff person received a DEC 350 computer. Hard drive. Large Computer Screen. Separate Keyboard. Within a decade, my office migrated from a DEC to a MAC to an IBM platform. That was a lot of technology to learn. Then, the blackberry, followed by cell phones that fit in a pocket with computing power. Therefore, as we look into the future, technology will continue to affect the workforce. The next big technology leaps will be in 5G, Artificial Intelligence, and Biotechnology.
Esq. Mary Beth Moore Esq.
Assistant Dean of Career DevelopmentCase Western Reserve University School of Law
Department of Law
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Elearning Specialists to find work opportunities?
Esq. Mary Beth Moore Esq.: Law school graduates can find jobs all over the world, but they will need to focus on cities of interest during their educational careers and make connections early on in those cities to make the career path a smoother one.