Creative & Education Kansas City, KS Pop. 156,607

Instructional Designer Salary in Kansas City, Kansas

The median instructional designer salary in Kansas City, KS is $63,360 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% above the Kansas state average.

City Median
$63,360
vs State Avg
+$720
vs National
$-8,640
Cost of Living
88%

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

Kansas City offers a median instructional designer salary of $63,360, which is $720 above the Kansas state average of $62,640. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Kansas City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Kansas City's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $63,360 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $72,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Kansas City an attractive option for instructional designers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for instructional designers in Kansas City spans from $38,720 at the 10th percentile to $103,840 at the 90th percentile — a $65,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $40,480, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $98,560. With a population of 156,607, Kansas City is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Kansas City by Experience

In Kansas City, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $40,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $98,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$40,480
$-5,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$65,120
$-8,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$98,560
$-13,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kansas City, KS

Percentile Kansas City
10th Percentile $38,720
25th Percentile $49,280
Median (50th) $63,360
75th Percentile $83,600
90th Percentile $103,840

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Kansas Cities

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Kansas City

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Kansas City

Browse open instructional designer positions in Kansas City, KS:

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Kansas City

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Kansas City, KS? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Kansas City, Kansas is $63,360 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $38,720 (10th percentile) to $103,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Kansas City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $63,360, a instructional designer in Kansas City earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kansas City compare to the Kansas state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Kansas City's median instructional designer salary of $63,360 is 1.1% above the Kansas state average of $62,640. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Kansas City, KS? ▼
Kansas City has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $63,360 in Kansas 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 Kansas City? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Kansas 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.