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What is an instructional technology specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Joshua Elliott Ed.D.

An instructional technology specialist manages, diagnoses, and teaches computer applications that are used in an educational setting. They have expertise in modern technology and software applications, and they use these skills to develop computer training materials.

Their work revolves around a wide variety of computer programs, which include Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and Blackboard, and programming languages, such as SQL. They need to be a team player so they can explain the computer concepts clearly to others.

An aspiring instructional technology specialist must have a certification, and a bachelor's degree in telecommunications, computer science, or any computer-related field. Getting the certification will generally require submission of academic transcripts and one or more letters of recommendation. A master's degree in education or instruction technology will increase the chances of getting the job.

The salary for this position may vary by state and city of residence. On average, the compensation for the work is $23.97 per hour or $49,856 per year.

What general advice would you give to an instructional technology specialist?

Joshua Elliott Ed.D.

Associate Dean, Fairfield University

The biggest piece of advice I would give is to stay current. There are a few areas to focus with this. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the most important organization in the field There are local organizations in various states that are associated with ISTE also. The ISTE Standards are the driving standards in the field.
* Be proficient with the different tools, but do not get too attached. A lot of people are particularly attached to a particular Device (IPad vs Chromebooks) or tool (Kahoot vs Polleverywhere) but true educational technology leaders need to be flexible. You will be at a real disadvantage if you only work with Apple products but get a job in a district with a one to one Chromebook plan.
* Focus on skills rather than tools.
ScoreInstructional Technology SpecialistUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $43,402

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.9

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 5.35%

Black or African American 12.59%

Hispanic or Latino 16.03%

Unknown 4.17%

White 61.13%

Gender

female 60.76%

male 39.24%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.5

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Instructional technology specialist career paths

Key steps to become an instructional technology specialist

  1. Explore instructional technology specialist education requirements

    Most common instructional technology specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    55.9 %

    Master's

    31.9 %

    Associate

    7.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific instructional technology specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Classroom Management8.81%
    Instructional Technology7.82%
    Curriculum Development7.45%
    Student Learning4.44%
    Math4.34%
  3. Complete relevant instructional technology specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New instructional technology specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an instructional technology specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real instructional technology specialist resumes.
  4. Research instructional technology specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Integrate curriculum and diverse learning strategies into computer lab teaching sessions, managing rotating teacher/class schedule.
    • Used XML for data exchange.
    • Provide training for students and faculty k-12.
    • Train staff on database structure and reports.
  5. Prepare your instructional technology specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your instructional technology specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an instructional technology specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable instructional technology specialist resume templates

    Build a professional instructional technology specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your instructional technology specialist resume.
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    Instructional Technology Specialist Resume
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    Instructional Technology Specialist Resume
    Instructional Technology Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for instructional technology specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an instructional technology specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first instructional technology specialist job

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Average instructional technology specialist salary

The average instructional technology specialist salary in the United States is $43,402 per year or $21 per hour. Instructional technology specialist salaries range between $29,000 and $62,000 per year.

Average instructional technology specialist salary
$43,402 Yearly
$20.87 hourly

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Instructional technology specialist reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Cons

I do not like when teachers feel the tracing is repetitive and does not participate or actively engage in the activities that can address their instructional practices and strategies.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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