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The differences between instructional technology 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 technology specialist and an instructional design specialist. Additionally, an instructional design specialist has an average salary of $54,282, which is higher than the $43,402 average annual salary of an instructional technology specialist.
The top three skills for an instructional technology specialist include classroom management, instructional technology and curriculum development. The most important skills for an instructional design specialist are instructional design, subject matter experts, and powerpoint.
| Instructional Technology Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $43,402 | $54,282 |
| Hourly rate | $20.87 | $26.10 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 61,365 | 44,814 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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 technology specialists and instructional design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Instructional Technology Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $43,402 | $54,282 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $62,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Smith College | Baker Hughes |
| Best paying industry | Education | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an instructional technology specialist and an instructional design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Instructional Technology Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Elementary Education | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between instructional technology specialists' and instructional design specialists' demographics:
| Instructional Technology Specialist | Instructional Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |