Creative & Education Lincoln, NE Pop. 291,082

Instructional Designer Salary in Lincoln, Nebraska

The median instructional designer salary in Lincoln, NE is $64,800 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 0.0% above the Nebraska state average.

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

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

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

Lincoln'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 Lincoln 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 291,082, Lincoln is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Lincoln by Experience

In Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, NE

Percentile Lincoln
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 Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$66,960
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$66,240
Pop. 64,176
Kearney, NE
$61,920
Pop. 33,464
Grand Island, NE
$60,480
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Lincoln

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Lincoln

Browse open instructional designer positions in Lincoln, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Lincoln

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Lincoln, NE? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Lincoln, Nebraska 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 Lincoln? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $64,800, a instructional designer in Lincoln earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lincoln compare to the Nebraska state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Lincoln's median instructional designer salary of $64,800 is 0.0% above the Nebraska state average of $64,800. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lincoln, NE? ▼
Lincoln has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $64,800 in Lincoln has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Lincoln? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Lincoln 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.