Creative & Education Portland, ME Pop. 68,408

Instructional Designer Salary in Portland, Maine

The median instructional designer salary in Portland, ME is $77,760 per year, which is 8.0% above the national median and 10.2% above the Maine state average.

City Median
$77,760
vs State Avg
+$7,200
vs National
+$5,760
Cost of Living
108%

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

Portland offers a median instructional designer salary of $77,760, which is $7,200 above the Maine state average of $70,560. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Portland pays above average for this role.

Portland's cost of living is 108% 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 Portland spans from $47,520 at the 10th percentile to $127,440 at the 90th percentile — a $79,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $49,680, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $120,960. Portland is a smaller market (pop. 68,408), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Instructional Designer Salary in Portland by Experience

In Portland, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $49,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $120,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$49,680
+$3,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,920
+$5,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$120,960
+$8,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Portland, ME

Percentile Portland
10th Percentile $47,520
25th Percentile $60,480
Median (50th) $77,760
75th Percentile $102,600
90th Percentile $127,440

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Maine Cities

South Portland, ME
$75,600
Pop. 25,665
Bangor, ME
$66,240
Pop. 32,029
Lewiston, ME
$64,800
Pop. 37,121
Auburn, ME
$64,080
Pop. 23,926

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Portland

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Portland

Browse open instructional designer positions in Portland, ME:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Portland

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Portland, ME? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Portland, Maine is $77,760 per year, which is 8.0% above the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $47,520 (10th percentile) to $127,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Portland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $77,760, a instructional designer in Portland earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Portland compare to the Maine state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Portland's median instructional designer salary of $77,760 is 10.2% above the Maine state average of $70,560. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Portland, ME? ▼
Portland has a cost of living index of 108% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $77,760 in Portland has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Portland? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Portland 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.