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Instructional systems designer vs e-learning designer

The differences between instructional systems designers and e-learning 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 an e-learning designer. Additionally, an instructional systems designer has an average salary of $65,907, which is higher than the $65,312 average annual salary of an e-learning designer.

The top three skills for an instructional systems designer include subject matter experts, instructional design and smes. The most important skills for an e-learning designer are learning objectives, instructional design, and training programs.

Instructional systems designer vs e-learning designer overview

Instructional Systems DesignerE-Learning Designer
Yearly salary$65,907$65,312
Hourly rate$31.69$31.40
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs104,99351,006
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an instructional systems designer do?

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.

What does an e-learning designer do?

An e-learning designer specializes in designing and establishing instructional materials and systems for effective online learning. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis to identify curriculum or student needs, setting goals and objectives, liaising with other experts, and developing coursework and assessments, ensuring quality and accuracy. Furthermore, as an e-learning designer, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks to ensure the quality of designs and systems, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

Instructional systems designer vs e-learning designer salary

Instructional systems designers and e-learning designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Instructional Systems DesignerE-Learning Designer
Average salary$65,907$65,312
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $93,000Between $47,000 And $90,000
Highest paying CityBaltimore, MD-
Highest paying stateConnecticut-
Best paying companyParsons-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between instructional systems designer and e-learning designer education

There are a few differences between an instructional systems designer and an e-learning designer in terms of educational background:

Instructional Systems DesignerE-Learning Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessDrafting And Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCarnegie Mellon University

Instructional systems designer vs e-learning designer demographics

Here are the differences between instructional systems designers' and e-learning designers' demographics:

Instructional Systems DesignerE-Learning Designer
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 64.6% Female, 35.4%Male, 61.9% Female, 38.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between instructional systems designer and e-learning designer duties and responsibilities

Instructional systems designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the company SharePoint and information distribution program.
  • Develop PowerPoint presentations, instructor and student guides, and job aids using ISD methodologies and strategies.
  • Utilize the ADDIE model to design and develop instructional material for training courses according to adult learning principles.
  • Collaborate with SMEs to organize instructional content to support desire learning outcomes.
  • Work collaboratively with SMEs and technical writers to effectively translate aviation procedures into meaningful training materials.
  • Perform market research for new training technologies to ensure compliance with (SCORM) requirements.
  • Show more

E-learning designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage complex e-Learning projects involving SME s and reviewers from multiple levels and departments in the organization.
  • Develop SCORM compliant eLearning courses, assessments and acknowledgments.
  • Create storyboards, scripts, course content for eLearning solutions.
  • Design and code monthly newsletter broadcast using Photoshop, HTML, CSS.
  • Implement and publish AICC and SCORM compliant online courses to the LMS.
  • Edit and update for large complex websites using HTML, CSS and JavaScript on JSP pages.
  • Show more

Instructional systems designer vs e-learning designer skills

Common instructional systems designer skills
  • Subject Matter Experts, 7%
  • Instructional Design, 7%
  • SMEs, 6%
  • Instructional Systems, 5%
  • ISD, 4%
  • Course Content, 4%
Common e-learning designer skills
  • Learning Objectives, 13%
  • Instructional Design, 12%
  • Training Programs, 11%
  • Addie, 10%
  • Captivate, 10%
  • Blended Learning, 9%

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