Creative & Education Cambridge, MA Pop. 118,403

Instructional Designer Salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts

The median instructional designer salary in Cambridge, MA is $115,200 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median and 18.5% above the Massachusetts state average.

City Median
$115,200
vs State Avg
+$18,000
vs National
+$43,200
Cost of Living
160%

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

Cambridge offers a median instructional designer salary of $115,200, which is $18,000 above the Massachusetts state average of $97,200. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Cambridge pays above average for this role.

However, Cambridge's cost of living index is 160%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $115,200 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $72,000. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Cambridge should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for instructional designers in Cambridge spans from $70,400 at the 10th percentile to $188,800 at the 90th percentile — a $118,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,600, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $179,200. With a population of 118,403, Cambridge is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Cambridge by Experience

In Cambridge, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $73,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $179,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 160% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,600
+$27,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$118,400
+$44,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$179,200
+$67,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cambridge, MA

Percentile Cambridge
10th Percentile $70,400
25th Percentile $89,600
Median (50th) $115,200
75th Percentile $152,000
90th Percentile $188,800

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Massachusetts Cities

Boston, MA
$109,440
Pop. 675,647
Worcester, MA
$79,200
Pop. 206,518
Lowell, MA
$75,600
Pop. 115,554
Springfield, MA
$70,560
Pop. 155,929

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Cambridge

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Cambridge

Browse open instructional designer positions in Cambridge, MA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Cambridge

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Cambridge, MA? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $115,200 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $70,400 (10th percentile) to $188,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Cambridge? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $115,200, a instructional designer in Cambridge earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cambridge compare to the Massachusetts state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Cambridge's median instructional designer salary of $115,200 is 18.5% above the Massachusetts state average of $97,200. The local cost of living index is 160% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cambridge, MA? ▼
Cambridge has a cost of living index of 160% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $115,200 in Cambridge has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Cambridge? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Cambridge 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.