Creative & Education Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Instructional Designer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median instructional designer salary in Des Moines, IA is $66,240 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$66,240
vs State Avg
+$2,160
vs National
$-5,760
Cost of Living
92%

Instructional Designer Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median instructional designer salary of $66,240, which is $2,160 above the Iowa state average of $64,080. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Des Moines pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Des Moines's cost of living is 92% 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 Des Moines spans from $40,480 at the 10th percentile to $108,560 at the 90th percentile — a $68,080 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $42,320, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,040. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $42,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,040 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,320
$-3,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$68,080
$-5,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,040
$-8,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $40,480
25th Percentile $51,520
Median (50th) $66,240
75th Percentile $87,400
90th Percentile $108,560

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$68,400
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$63,360
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$61,920
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$60,480
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Des Moines

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open instructional designer positions in Des Moines, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $66,240 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $40,480 (10th percentile) to $108,560 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $66,240, a instructional designer in Des Moines earns approximately $32 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median instructional designer salary of $66,240 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $64,080. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $66,240 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Des Moines? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Des Moines 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.