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The differences between instructional systems specialists and instructional design 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 an instructional design specialist. Additionally, an instructional design specialist has an average salary of $54,282, which is higher than the $53,853 average annual salary of an instructional systems specialist.
The top three skills for an instructional systems specialist include instructional materials, learning objectives and training programs. The most important skills for an instructional design specialist are instructional design, subject matter experts, and powerpoint.
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $53,853 | $54,282 |
| Hourly rate | $25.89 | $26.10 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 65,859 | 44,814 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| 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.
An instructional design specialist is responsible for developing instructional materials mainly used for training and education. Among their responsibilities include identifying and understanding the program or project's needs, performing extensive research and analysis, consulting with experts, devising training and assessment plans, and ensuring that all instructional materials adhere to a program or project's objectives. Moreover, as an instructional design specialist, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Instructional systems specialists and instructional design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $53,853 | $54,282 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $74,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Department of Homeland Security | Baker Hughes |
| Best paying industry | Government | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an instructional systems specialist and an instructional design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between instructional systems specialists' and instructional design specialists' demographics:
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.0% Female, 46.0% | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% |
| 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, 10.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 5.5% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |