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The differences between instructional systems designers 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 systems designer and a curriculum designer. Additionally, an instructional systems designer has an average salary of $65,907, which is higher than the $54,176 average annual salary of a curriculum designer.
The top three skills for an instructional systems designer include subject matter experts, instructional design and smes. The most important skills for a curriculum designer are subject matter experts, course content, and project management.
| Instructional Systems Designer | Curriculum Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $65,907 | $54,176 |
| Hourly rate | $31.69 | $26.05 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 104,993 | 44,751 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An instructional systems designer specializes in developing training solutions in adherence to the objectives of a program or project. Their responsibilities include identifying the needs of projects and programs, performing extensive research and analysis, gathering and analyzing existing systems' data to identify their strengths and weaknesses, studying feedback from various parties, and developing test structures. Moreover, an instructional systems designer must maintain an active communication line with the instructional systems team, coordinating while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
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 systems designers and curriculum designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Instructional Systems Designer | Curriculum Designer | |
| Average salary | $65,907 | $54,176 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $93,000 | Between $38,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Parsons | Edelman Financial Engines |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Insurance |
There are a few differences between an instructional systems designer and a curriculum designer in terms of educational background:
| Instructional Systems Designer | Curriculum Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Business | Elementary Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between instructional systems designers' and curriculum designers' demographics:
| Instructional Systems Designer | Curriculum Designer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.6% Female, 35.4% | Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 61.7% 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 Percentage | 16% | 16% |