Creative & Education Aurora, IL Pop. 197,757

Instructional Designer Salary in Aurora, Illinois

The median instructional designer salary in Aurora, IL is $68,400 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 0.0% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$68,400
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-3,600
Cost of Living
95%

Instructional Designer Pay in Aurora: What to Expect (2026)

Aurora offers a median instructional designer salary of $68,400, which is $0 above the Illinois state average of $68,400. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Aurora pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Aurora's cost of living is 95% 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 Aurora spans from $41,800 at the 10th percentile to $112,100 at the 90th percentile — a $70,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $43,700, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $106,400. With a population of 197,757, Aurora is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Aurora by Experience

In Aurora, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $43,700, while experienced professionals earn up to $106,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$43,700
$-2,300 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$70,300
$-3,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$106,400
$-5,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Aurora, IL

Percentile Aurora
10th Percentile $41,800
25th Percentile $53,200
Median (50th) $68,400
75th Percentile $90,250
90th Percentile $112,100

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$77,760
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$77,040
Pop. 2,693,976
Springfield, IL
$61,200
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$59,040
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Aurora

Education

Most instructional designer positions require a master's degree. Aurora and the surrounding Illinois 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 Aurora may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Aurora

Browse open instructional designer positions in Aurora, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Aurora

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Aurora, IL? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Aurora, Illinois is $68,400 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $41,800 (10th percentile) to $112,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Aurora? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $68,400, a instructional designer in Aurora earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aurora compare to the Illinois state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Aurora's median instructional designer salary of $68,400 is 0.0% above the Illinois state average of $68,400. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aurora, IL? ▼
Aurora has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $68,400 in Aurora has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Aurora? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Aurora 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.