EducationOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Instructional Designer Salary in New York

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$141,362/yr

Typical range: $141,342 $161,571

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Instructional Designer Salary Progression in New York

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$97,491$8,124
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$109,678$9,140+13%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$117,802$9,817+21%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$125,764$10,480+29%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$141,362$11,780+45%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$153,061$12,755+57%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$155,986$12,999+60%
Current Salary
$141,362
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $68/hr
Next Level Target
$153,061
Principal · 14
+$12Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
42/100
Below Average
+15% demand · Moderate AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Instructional Designer salary in New York, NY?

Staff / Lead Instructional Designers in New York, NY earn approximately $141K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Instructional Designer make per hour in New York, NY?

Based on $141K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $68/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Instructional Designer in New York, NY?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Instructional Designer in New York, NY earns $141K–$162K/yr.