Creative & Education Tacoma, WA Pop. 219,346

Instructional Designer Salary in Tacoma, Washington

The median instructional designer salary in Tacoma, WA is $79,200 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median and 4.3% below the Washington state average.

City Median
$79,200
vs State Avg
$-3,600
vs National
+$7,200
Cost of Living
110%

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

Tacoma offers a median instructional designer salary of $79,200, which is $3,600 below the Washington state average of $82,800. Compared to the national median of $72,000, Tacoma pays above average for this role.

Tacoma's cost of living is 110% 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 Tacoma spans from $48,400 at the 10th percentile to $129,800 at the 90th percentile — a $81,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $50,600, while senior instructional designers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $123,200. With a population of 219,346, Tacoma is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Instructional Designer Salary in Tacoma by Experience

In Tacoma, an entry-level instructional designer earns around $50,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $123,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$50,600
+$4,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$81,400
+$7,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$123,200
+$11,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tacoma, WA

Percentile Tacoma
10th Percentile $48,400
25th Percentile $61,600
Median (50th) $79,200
75th Percentile $104,500
90th Percentile $129,800

Instructional Designer Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$109,440
Pop. 151,854
Seattle, WA
$106,560
Pop. 737,015
Vancouver, WA
$73,440
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$66,240
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Instructional Designer in Tacoma

Education

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

Find Instructional Designer Jobs in Tacoma

Browse open instructional designer positions in Tacoma, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Instructional Designer Salary in Tacoma

How much does a Instructional Designer make in Tacoma, WA? ▼
The median instructional designer salary in Tacoma, Washington is $79,200 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $48,400 (10th percentile) to $129,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Instructional Designer make per hour in Tacoma? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,200, a instructional designer in Tacoma earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tacoma compare to the Washington state average for instructional designer pay? ▼
Tacoma's median instructional designer salary of $79,200 is 4.3% below the Washington state average of $82,800. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tacoma, WA? ▼
Tacoma has a cost of living index of 110% compared to the national average. This means a instructional designer salary of $79,200 in Tacoma has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a instructional designer in Tacoma? ▼
Most instructional designer positions in Tacoma 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.