Creative & Education Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Instructional Designer Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median instructional designer salary in Iowa City, IA is $68,400 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$68,400
vs State Avg
+$4,320
vs National
$-3,600
Cost of Living
95%

Instructional Designer Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median instructional designer salary of $68,400, which is $4,320 above the Iowa state average of $64,080. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City'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 Iowa City 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. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Instructional Designer Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
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 Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$66,240
Pop. 214,133
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 Iowa City

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open instructional designer positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Iowa City, Iowa 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 Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $68,400, a instructional designer in Iowa City earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Iowa City's median instructional designer salary of $68,400 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $64,080. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $68,400 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Iowa City? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Iowa City 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.