Creative & Education Fort Collins, CO Pop. 169,810

Instructional Designer Salary in Fort Collins, Colorado

The median instructional designer salary in Fort Collins, CO is $76,320 per year, which is 6.0% above the national median and 1.0% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$76,320
vs State Avg
+$720
vs National
+$4,320
Cost of Living
106%

Instructional Designer Pay in Fort Collins: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Collins offers a median instructional designer salary of $76,320, which is $720 above the Colorado state average of $75,600. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Fort Collins pays above average for this role.

Fort Collins's cost of living is 106% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for instructional designers in Fort Collins spans from $46,640 at the 10th percentile to $125,080 at the 90th percentile — a $78,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $48,760, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $118,720. With a population of 169,810, Fort Collins is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Fort Collins by Experience

In Fort Collins, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $48,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $118,720 per year. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$48,760
+$2,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$78,440
+$4,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$118,720
+$6,720 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Collins, CO

Percentile Fort Collins
10th Percentile $46,640
25th Percentile $59,360
Median (50th) $76,320
75th Percentile $100,700
90th Percentile $125,080

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Boulder, CO
$92,160
Pop. 105,673
Denver, CO
$80,640
Pop. 715,522
Aurora, CO
$75,600
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$72,000
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Fort Collins

Education

Most instructional designer positions require a master's degree. Fort Collins and the surrounding Colorado area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Instructional DesignArticulate/CaptivateLMSADDIE ModelE-LearningAssessment Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, instructional designer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Fort Collins may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Fort Collins

Browse open instructional designer positions in Fort Collins, CO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Fort Collins

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Fort Collins, Colorado is $76,320 per year, which is 6.0% above the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $46,640 (10th percentile) to $125,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Fort Collins? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $76,320, a instructional designer in Fort Collins earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Collins compare to the Colorado state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Fort Collins's median instructional designer salary of $76,320 is 1.0% above the Colorado state average of $75,600. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
Fort Collins has a cost of living index of 106% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $76,320 in Fort Collins has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Fort Collins? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Fort Collins require a master's degree. Key skills include Instructional Design, Articulate/Captivate, LMS, ADDIE Model. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.