Creative & Education Chattanooga, TN Pop. 181,099

Instructional Designer Salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee

The median instructional designer salary in Chattanooga, TN is $63,360 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$63,360
vs State Avg
$-720
vs National
$-8,640
Cost of Living
88%

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

Chattanooga offers a median instructional designer salary of $63,360, which is $720 below the Tennessee state average of $64,080. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Chattanooga pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Chattanooga's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $63,360 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $72,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Chattanooga an attractive option for instructional designers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for instructional designers in Chattanooga spans from $38,720 at the 10th percentile to $103,840 at the 90th percentile — a $65,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $40,480, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $98,560. With a population of 181,099, Chattanooga is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Chattanooga by Experience

In Chattanooga, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $40,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $98,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$40,480
$-5,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$65,120
$-8,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$98,560
$-13,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chattanooga, TN

Percentile Chattanooga
10th Percentile $38,720
25th Percentile $49,280
Median (50th) $63,360
75th Percentile $83,600
90th Percentile $103,840

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Chattanooga

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Chattanooga

Browse open instructional designer positions in Chattanooga, TN:

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Chattanooga

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Chattanooga, TN? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee is $63,360 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $38,720 (10th percentile) to $103,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Chattanooga? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $63,360, a instructional designer in Chattanooga earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chattanooga compare to the Tennessee state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Chattanooga's median instructional designer salary of $63,360 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $64,080. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chattanooga, TN? ▼
Chattanooga has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $63,360 in Chattanooga has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Chattanooga? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Chattanooga 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.