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The differences between instructional systems specialists and curriculum specialists 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 specialist and a curriculum specialist. Additionally, an instructional systems specialist has an average salary of $53,853, which is higher than the $50,949 average annual salary of a curriculum specialist.
The top three skills for an instructional systems specialist include instructional materials, learning objectives and training programs. The most important skills for a curriculum specialist are math, curriculum development, and K-12.
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Curriculum Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $53,853 | $50,949 |
| Hourly rate | $25.89 | $24.49 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 65,859 | 1,583 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An instructional systems specialist is responsible for creating instructional materials and coordinating educational content. Typical duties include developing educational and training programs, developing cooperative and constructive working relationships with others, and developing plans and goals to organize and prioritize your work. As an instructional systems specialist, you will guide, direct, and motivate your subordinates and set performance standards. You are also expected to assist students in achieving their academic goals and provide technical expertise on the application and interpretation of automation training standards.
The primary job of curriculum specialists is to develop, assess, and improve curricula and instruction. They are responsible for guiding teachers on their teaching methods, conducting research and making recommendations for improvements, and evaluating existing curricula alongside teachers and administrators. A curriculum specialist is expected to assist in creating and revising instructional materials, analyzing student data, and evaluating and improving the utilization of classroom materials. You are also responsible for finding appropriate curricula and textbooks to improve the student body's learning outcomes.
Instructional systems specialists and curriculum specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Curriculum Specialist | |
| Average salary | $53,853 | $50,949 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $74,000 | Between $36,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Department of Homeland Security | AARP |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between an instructional systems specialist and a curriculum specialist in terms of educational background:
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Curriculum Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Elementary Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between instructional systems specialists' and curriculum specialists' demographics:
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Curriculum Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.0% Female, 46.0% | Male, 22.9% Female, 77.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 5.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 5.4% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |