Creative & Education Norfolk, VA Pop. 238,005

Instructional Designer Salary in Norfolk, Virginia

The median instructional designer salary in Norfolk, VA is $69,120 per year, which is 4% below the national median and 7.7% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$69,120
vs State Avg
$-5,760
vs National
$-2,880
Cost of Living
96%

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

Norfolk offers a median instructional designer salary of $69,120, which is $5,760 below the Virginia state average of $74,880. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Norfolk pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Norfolk's cost of living is 96% 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 Norfolk spans from $42,240 at the 10th percentile to $113,280 at the 90th percentile — a $71,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,160, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $107,520. With a population of 238,005, Norfolk is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Norfolk by Experience

In Norfolk, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $44,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $107,520 per year. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,160
$-1,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$71,040
$-2,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$107,520
$-4,480 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Norfolk, VA

Percentile Norfolk
10th Percentile $42,240
25th Percentile $53,760
Median (50th) $69,120
75th Percentile $91,200
90th Percentile $113,280

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$95,040
Pop. 238,643
Virginia Beach, VA
$73,440
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$72,000
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$70,560
Pop. 249,422

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Norfolk

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Norfolk

Browse open instructional designer positions in Norfolk, VA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Norfolk

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Norfolk, VA? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Norfolk, Virginia is $69,120 per year, which is 4% below the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $42,240 (10th percentile) to $113,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Norfolk? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $69,120, a instructional designer in Norfolk earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Norfolk compare to the Virginia state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Norfolk's median instructional designer salary of $69,120 is 7.7% below the Virginia state average of $74,880. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Norfolk, VA? ▼
Norfolk has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $69,120 in Norfolk has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Norfolk? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Norfolk 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.