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Instructional designer and trainer vs curriculum designer

The differences between instructional designer and trainers and curriculum designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an instructional designer and trainer and a curriculum designer. Additionally, an instructional designer and trainer has an average salary of $65,072, which is higher than the $54,176 average annual salary of a curriculum designer.

The top three skills for an instructional designer and trainer include instructional design, subject matter experts and blended learning. The most important skills for a curriculum designer are subject matter experts, course content, and project management.

Instructional designer and trainer vs curriculum designer overview

Instructional Designer And TrainerCurriculum Designer
Yearly salary$65,072$54,176
Hourly rate$31.28$26.05
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs70,22244,751
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an instructional designer and trainer do?

Instructional designers are in charge of redesigning the courses, developing the entire curriculum, and creating all instructional mediums, including handouts, presentation materials, participant guides, and job aids. They typically evaluate training, as well as assess what was learned and check if learning solutions led to quantifiable behavior improvements. Also, the design and rebuild both new and traditional learning models. Additionally, they execute feedback from program reviews, teach others how to convey the learning material, and research new changes in both learning design and education.

What does a curriculum designer do?

A curriculum designer creates and implements educational programs in schools, colleges, and other organizations that offer training and educational services. They usually work with teachers and academic administrators in establishing guidelines, academic roadmaps, and policies. A curriculum designer is also responsible for creating lesson plans and learning materials, conducting research and assessments, establishing curriculum timelines, and analyzing feedback from students, teachers, and administrators. They also monitor the students' academic progress to be able to make curriculum adjustments or changes when necessary.

Instructional designer and trainer vs curriculum designer salary

Instructional designer and trainers and curriculum designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Instructional Designer And TrainerCurriculum Designer
Average salary$65,072$54,176
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $87,000Between $38,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CityGermantown, MDNew York, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutConnecticut
Best paying companyAppleEdelman Financial Engines
Best paying industryTechnologyInsurance

Differences between instructional designer and trainer and curriculum designer education

There are a few differences between an instructional designer and trainer and a curriculum designer in terms of educational background:

Instructional Designer And TrainerCurriculum Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessElementary Education
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Instructional designer and trainer vs curriculum designer demographics

Here are the differences between instructional designer and trainers' and curriculum designers' demographics:

Instructional Designer And TrainerCurriculum Designer
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 42.5% Female, 57.5%Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 5.5% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 5.5% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between instructional designer and trainer and curriculum designer duties and responsibilities

Instructional designer and trainer example responsibilities.

  • Develop PowerPoint presentations to support instructor lead courses and other training documentation including job aids, and business process procedures.
  • Work with clients through all ISD phases to ensure customer needs are met.
  • Coordinate and execute changes to existing ISD products using analysis and change criteria.
  • Utilize a variety of communication venues: email, SharePoint web portal pages, and hard copies.
  • Interview SMEs to establish technical specifications for document development.
  • Research instructional technology trends, implement multimedia enhancements, update HTML coding.
  • Show more

Curriculum designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the virtualization of military training exercises and provide periods of instruction using virtual simulations.
  • Coach SMEs on content development, delivery techniques and facilitation skills.
  • Create storyboards for elearning solutions, including activities and knowledge checks.
  • Develop practical working solutions to address performance gaps using ADDIE model.
  • Develop animations, audio, video, scenarios, and graphics into engaging eLearning courses.
  • Conduct training session with peers, contractors and customer SMEs on training development systems and tools.
  • Show more

Instructional designer and trainer vs curriculum designer skills

Common instructional designer and trainer skills
  • Instructional Design, 8%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 7%
  • Blended Learning, 5%
  • Training Programs, 5%
  • Training Materials, 5%
  • Led Training, 4%
Common curriculum designer skills
  • Subject Matter Experts, 9%
  • Course Content, 7%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Curriculum Design, 6%
  • Curriculum Development, 6%
  • Training Programs, 6%

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