Best cities for an instructional design specialist
The best cities for instructional design specialists are Columbus, OH, Philadelphia, PA, and Reno, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for instructional design specialists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for instructional design specialists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an instructional design specialist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for instructional design specialists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for instructional design specialists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an instructional design specialist. While the absolute best city for instructional design specialists is Columbus, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for instructional design specialists in 2024.
If you're looking for an instructional design specialist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for instructional design specialists in 2026
1. Columbus, OH
Total instructional design specialist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $56,188 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $82,000 Location quotient: 4.66 2. Philadelphia, PA
Total instructional design specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $62,003 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Reno, NV
Total instructional design specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,564 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $90,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Detroit, MI
Total instructional design specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $60,812 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Lincoln, NE
Total instructional design specialist jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $55,152 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 80.11 6. Cleveland, OH
Total instructional design specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $59,566 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $88,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. San Antonio, TX
Total instructional design specialist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $54,450 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 8.84 8. Boston, MA
Total instructional design specialist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $69,948 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $102,000 Location quotient: 1.45 9. Toledo, OH
Total instructional design specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $58,116 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Saint Paul, MN
Total instructional design specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,297 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $88,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for instructional design specialists
- Columbus, OH
- Philadelphia, PA
- Reno, NV
- Detroit, MI
- Lincoln, NE
- Cleveland, OH
- San Antonio, TX
- Boston, MA
- Toledo, OH
- Saint Paul, MN
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Detailed list of the best cities for an instructional design specialist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus, OH | $56,188 | $38,000 | 860,090 | 4 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $62,003 | $41,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $64,564 | $46,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $60,812 | $41,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 5 | Lincoln, NE | $55,152 | $40,000 | 280,364 | 17 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $59,566 | $40,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $54,450 | $38,000 | 1,492,510 | 5 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $69,948 | $47,000 | 673,184 | 2 |
| 9 | Toledo, OH | $58,116 | $39,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 10 | Saint Paul, MN | $64,297 | $46,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 11 | Portland, OR | $63,323 | $47,000 | 639,863 | 5 |
| 12 | Minneapolis, MN | $64,275 | $46,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 13 | Pittsburgh, PA | $59,256 | $39,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 14 | Henderson, NV | $59,631 | $42,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 15 | Las Vegas, NV | $59,919 | $43,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 16 | Brookhaven, NY | $68,206 | $45,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 17 | North Las Vegas, NV | $59,810 | $43,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 18 | Islip, NY | $68,140 | $45,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 19 | Oyster Bay, NY | $68,025 | $45,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 20 | Austin, TX | $54,112 | $38,000 | 947,890 | 4 |
| 21 | Houston, TX | $53,999 | $38,000 | 2,303,482 | 7 |
| 22 | Hempstead, NY | $67,995 | $45,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 23 | New York, NY | $67,878 | $45,000 | 8,537,673 | 3 |
| 24 | Seattle, WA | $65,330 | $49,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 25 | Cincinnati, OH | $53,791 | $37,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 26 | Wichita, KS | $53,095 | $38,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 27 | Corpus Christi, TX | $54,709 | $38,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 28 | Chicago, IL | $58,875 | $41,000 | 2,704,958 | 3 |
| 29 | Baltimore, MD | $63,634 | $42,000 | 614,664 | 5 |
| 30 | Buffalo, NY | $66,127 | $44,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 31 | Washington, DC | $70,628 | $46,000 | 681,170 | 2 |
| 32 | Omaha, NE | $55,362 | $40,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 33 | Madison, WI | $50,961 | $36,000 | 252,551 | 6 |
| 34 | El Paso, TX | $55,066 | $39,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 35 | Lubbock, TX | $53,602 | $38,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 36 | Laredo, TX | $54,940 | $39,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 37 | Nashville, TN | $50,003 | $35,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 38 | Anchorage, AK | $58,917 | $51,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 39 | Memphis, TN | $49,829 | $35,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 40 | Virginia Beach, VA | $58,768 | $38,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 41 | Fort Worth, TX | $52,996 | $37,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 42 | Norfolk, VA | $58,594 | $38,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 43 | Arlington, TX | $52,968 | $37,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 44 | Chesapeake, VA | $58,310 | $38,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 45 | Dallas, TX | $52,880 | $37,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 46 | Milwaukee, WI | $51,732 | $36,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 47 | Irving, TX | $52,878 | $37,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 48 | Garland, TX | $52,775 | $37,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 49 | Fremont, CA | $62,885 | $44,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 50 | Plano, TX | $52,732 | $37,000 | 286,057 | - |
Highest paying cities for instructional design specialists
| Rank | City | Avg. instructional design specialist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $70,628 |
| 2 | Hartford, CT | $70,541 |
| 3 | Cambridge, MA | $69,901 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $67,878 |
| 5 | Minnetonka, MN | $64,151 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $63,634 |
| 7 | Corvallis, OR | $63,602 |
| 8 | Spokane, WA | $63,248 |
| 9 | Lansing, MI | $60,073 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $58,875 |
| 11 | Irvine, CA | $57,690 |
| 12 | Montgomery, AL | $55,610 |
| 13 | Lincoln, NE | $55,152 |
| 14 | San Antonio, TX | $54,450 |
| 15 | Fond du Lac, WI | $52,189 |
| 16 | Denver, CO | $52,079 |
| 17 | Bradenton, FL | $51,737 |
| 18 | Cedar Falls, IA | $50,109 |
| 19 | Russellville, AR | $48,814 |
| 20 | Atlanta, GA | $48,601 |
Instructional design specialist best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025