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The role of a Director of Distance Learning encompasses managing online education programs, developing curricula, and enhancing student engagement. As of October 2025, the average annual salary is $88,059, with pay varying widely based on geographic location and years of experience.
For instance, states like California and New York often offer higher salaries, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in urban educational settings. In addition, directors with advanced degrees or certifications typically command higher compensation.
Furthermore, the educational sector is evolving, with increasing reliance on online learning platforms. This shift not only creates more opportunities for current directors but also increases the need for innovative leaders who can navigate technological advancements. As such, this position is not just a job but a key player in modern education.
With the rise in online education, the demand for Directors of Distance Learning is expected to grow. Professionals in this field can explore various roles, including positions in colleges, universities, and educational technology companies. By focusing on continuous learning and adapting to new technologies, individuals can enhance their career prospects in this dynamic landscape.
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The highest-paying states for directors of distance learning are Connecticut, California, and New York. The lowest average director of distance learning salary states are Texas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $110,111 | $52.94 |
| 2 | New York | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| 3 | California | $102,688 | $49.37 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $101,187 | $48.65 |
| 5 | North Carolina | $92,506 | $44.47 |
| 6 | Ohio | $95,781 | $46.05 |
| 7 | Nevada | $92,663 | $44.55 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $92,863 | $44.65 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $90,470 | $43.50 |
| 10 | Maine | $93,164 | $44.79 |
| 11 | Michigan | $94,553 | $45.46 |
| 12 | Vermont | $87,511 | $42.07 |
| 13 | Louisiana | $83,369 | $40.08 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $87,032 | $41.84 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $88,307 | $42.46 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $84,050 | $40.41 |
| 17 | West Virginia | $92,221 | $44.34 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $84,790 | $40.76 |
| 19 | Oregon | $85,270 | $41.00 |
| 20 | Maryland | $94,041 | $45.21 |
| 21 | Montana | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| 22 | Alabama | $77,051 | $37.04 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $85,868 | $41.28 |
| 24 | Delaware | $87,162 | $41.90 |
| 25 | Kentucky | $84,032 | $40.40 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $84,314 | $40.54 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $81,869 | $39.36 |
| 28 | Virginia | $82,731 | $39.77 |
| 29 | Missouri | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| 30 | Illinois | $74,168 | $35.66 |
| 31 | Colorado | $75,059 | $36.09 |
| 32 | Washington | $76,129 | $36.60 |
| 33 | Arizona | $73,199 | $35.19 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $67,320 | $32.37 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $73,249 | $35.22 |
| 36 | Alaska | $71,202 | $34.23 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $73,899 | $35.53 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $77,113 | $37.07 |
| 39 | Iowa | $74,495 | $35.81 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $65,557 | $31.52 |
| 41 | Utah | $70,753 | $34.02 |
| 42 | Indiana | $71,504 | $34.38 |
| 43 | North Dakota | $72,100 | $34.66 |
| 44 | Florida | $71,891 | $34.56 |
| 45 | Texas | $67,497 | $32.45 |
| 46 | Idaho | $67,999 | $32.69 |
| 47 | Georgia | $65,514 | $31.50 |
| 48 | New Mexico | $70,663 | $33.97 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $64,862 | $31.18 |
| 50 | Kansas | $68,023 | $32.70 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $55,824 | $26.84 |
The highest-paying cities for directors of distance learning are San Francisco, CA, Washington, DC, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $106,833 | $51.36 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $101,305 | $48.70 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $96,496 | $46.39 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $94,863 | $45.61 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $94,320 | $45.35 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $90,445 | $43.48 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $90,188 | $43.36 |
| 8 | Reston, VA | $85,014 | $40.87 |
| 9 | Madison, WI | $83,260 | $40.03 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $74,629 | $35.88 |
| 11 | Austin, TX | $67,951 | $32.67 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $65,516 | $31.50 |
A director of distance learning's salary ranges from $50,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $154,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $154,000 | $12,833 | $74 |
| 75th Percentile | $118,000 | $9,833 | $57 |
| Average | $88,059 | $7,338 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000 | $5,417 | $31 |
| 10th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
The highest paying types of directors of distance learning are chairperson, vice chairperson, and committee chairperson.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-Chair | $89,375 | $7,448 | $42.97 | 2,878 |
| Committee Chairperson | $122,630 | $10,219 | $58.96 | 956 |
| New Member Educator | $34,187 | $2,849 | $16.44 | 12,866 |
| Department Chairperson | $98,438 | $8,203 | $47.33 | 33,511 |
| Dean | $86,317 | $7,193 | $41.50 | 1,183 |
| Chairperson | $125,944 | $10,495 | $60.55 | 5,178 |
Top companies hiring directors of distance learning now:
Director of distance learning salaries at AARP and Fidelity Investments are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average director of distance learning salary at companies like Catholic Relief Services and Grandbridge Real Estate Capital are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AARP | $123,200 | $59.23 |
| 2 | Fidelity Investments | $97,807 | $47.02 |
| 3 | Catholic Relief Services | $97,477 | $46.86 |
| 4 | Grandbridge Real Estate Capital | $97,306 | $46.78 |
| 5 | Americorps | $94,882 | $45.62 |
| 6 | Population Services International | $92,583 | $44.51 |
| 7 | KPMG LLP | $79,916 | $38.42 |
| 8 | The International | $76,108 | $36.59 |
| 9 | The Lovett School | $66,733 | $32.08 |
| 10 | Washington State Community College | $65,088 | $31.29 |
| 11 | University of Wisconsin System | $63,430 | $30.50 |
| 12 | Texas State Teachers Association | $59,136 | $28.43 |
The average director of distance learning salary has risen by $11,940 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average director of distance learning earned $76,119 annually, but today, they earn $88,059 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for directors of distance learning over the last decade.
Compare director of distance learning salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare director of distance learning salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $88,100 | $42.34 | +2.1% |
| 2025 | $86,200 | $41.43 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $85,200 | $40.96 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $83,400 | $40.10 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $82,000 | $39.41 | +2.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third Rock Ventures | Director, Machine Learning, Discovery Chemistry | Redwood City, CA | 06/24/2025 | $204,000 |
| Cycsf | Evaluation and Learning Director | San Francisco, CA | 06/19/2025 | $90,000 |
| Healthy Kids Programs | Early Learning Director | New Windsor, NY | 06/07/2025 | $35,479 |
| Summit Public Schools | Director of Diverse Learners (Special Education) | Redwood City, CA | 06/03/2025 | $135,524 |
| Mason City School District | Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning | Mason, OH | 05/28/2025 | $125,244 |
| Third Rock Ventures | Director, Machine Learning, Discovery Chemistry | Redwood City, CA | 05/22/2025 | $204,000 |
| Cycsf | Evaluation and Learning Director | San Francisco, CA | 05/18/2025 | $90,000 |
| Appalachian State University | Director of Healthcare Simulation and Innovative Learning | Boone, NC | 04/29/2025 | $88,000 |
| Unitedway Pdx | Early Learning Multnomah Hub Director | Portland, OR | 02/18/2025 | $95,975 |
| Mankato Area Public Schools | Director of Early Learning | Nore, MN | 02/15/2025 | $116,200 |
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