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The differences between instructional systems specialists and instructional technology 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 technology specialist. Additionally, an instructional systems specialist has an average salary of $53,853, which is higher than the $43,402 average annual salary of an instructional technology 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 technology specialist are classroom management, instructional technology, and curriculum development.
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Instructional Technology Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $53,853 | $43,402 |
| Hourly rate | $25.89 | $20.87 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 65,859 | 61,365 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| 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 technology specialist is an expert who is responsible for creating and developing software applications and modern technology. They usually create and develop training materials and teach students how they can install and use various computer applications and other related technologies. Typically, this career is for someone who has extensive knowledge in the information technologies, knows how to resolve technical issues a computer or device usually encounters, and has experience with computer programs and languages.
Instructional systems specialists and instructional technology specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Instructional Technology Specialist | |
| Average salary | $53,853 | $43,402 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $74,000 | Between $29,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | New York |
| Best paying company | Department of Homeland Security | Smith College |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between an instructional systems specialist and an instructional technology specialist in terms of educational background:
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Instructional Technology Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Elementary Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between instructional systems specialists' and instructional technology specialists' demographics:
| Instructional Systems Specialist | Instructional Technology Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.0% Female, 46.0% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| 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, 12.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |