Creative & Education Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Instructional Designer Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median instructional designer salary in Durham, NC is $68,400 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$68,400
vs State Avg
+$2,160
vs National
$-3,600
Cost of Living
95%

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

Durham offers a median instructional designer salary of $68,400, which is $2,160 above the North Carolina state average of $66,240. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% 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 Durham spans from $41,800 at the 10th percentile to $112,100 at the 90th percentile — a $70,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $43,700, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $106,400. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $43,700, while experienced professionals earn up to $106,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$43,700
$-2,300 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$70,300
$-3,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$106,400
$-5,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $41,800
25th Percentile $53,200
Median (50th) $68,400
75th Percentile $90,250
90th Percentile $112,100

Instructional Designer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$70,560
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$70,560
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$63,360
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$61,920
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Durham

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Durham

Browse open instructional designer positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Durham

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Durham, North Carolina is $68,400 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $41,800 (10th percentile) to $112,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $68,400, a instructional designer in Durham earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Durham's median instructional designer salary of $68,400 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $66,240. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $68,400 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Durham? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Durham 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.