Creative & Education Rochester, NY Pop. 211,328

Instructional Designer Salary in Rochester, New York

The median instructional designer salary in Rochester, NY is $64,800 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 26.2% below the New York state average.

City Median
$64,800
vs State Avg
$-23,040
vs National
$-7,200
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rochester offers a median instructional designer salary of $64,800, which is $23,040 below the New York state average of $87,840. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Rochester pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rochester'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 Rochester 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 211,328, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, 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 Rochester, NY

Percentile Rochester
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 New York Cities

New York City, NY
$134,640
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$97,200
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$70,560
Pop. 99,224
Buffalo, NY
$66,240
Pop. 278,349

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Rochester

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Rochester

Browse open instructional designer positions in Rochester, NY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Rochester

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Rochester, NY? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Rochester, New York 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 Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $64,800, a instructional designer in Rochester earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the New York state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Rochester's median instructional designer salary of $64,800 is 26.2% below the New York state average of $87,840. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rochester, NY? ▼
Rochester has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $64,800 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Rochester? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Rochester 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.