Creative & Education Grand Rapids, MI Pop. 198,917

Instructional Designer Salary in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The median instructional designer salary in Grand Rapids, MI is $64,800 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 0.0% above the Michigan state average.

City Median
$64,800
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-7,200
Cost of Living
90%

Instructional Designer Pay in Grand Rapids: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Rapids offers a median instructional designer salary of $64,800, which is $0 above the Michigan state average of $64,800. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Grand Rapids pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Grand Rapids's cost of living is 90% 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 Grand Rapids spans from $39,600 at the 10th percentile to $106,200 at the 90th percentile — a $66,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $41,400, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $100,800. With a population of 198,917, Grand Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Grand Rapids by Experience

In Grand Rapids, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $41,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $100,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$41,400
$-4,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$66,600
$-7,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$100,800
$-11,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Grand Rapids, MI

Percentile Grand Rapids
10th Percentile $39,600
25th Percentile $50,400
Median (50th) $64,800
75th Percentile $85,500
90th Percentile $106,200

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Michigan Cities

Ann Arbor, MI
$75,600
Pop. 123,851
Detroit, MI
$63,360
Pop. 639,111
Warren, MI
$63,360
Pop. 139,387
Lansing, MI
$61,920
Pop. 112,644

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Grand Rapids

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Grand Rapids

Browse open instructional designer positions in Grand Rapids, MI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Grand Rapids

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Grand Rapids, MI? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Grand Rapids, Michigan is $64,800 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $39,600 (10th percentile) to $106,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Grand Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $64,800, a instructional designer in Grand Rapids earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Rapids compare to the Michigan state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Grand Rapids's median instructional designer salary of $64,800 is 0.0% above the Michigan state average of $64,800. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Rapids, MI? ▼
Grand Rapids has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $64,800 in Grand Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Grand Rapids? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Grand Rapids 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.