Zone 5: Extensive Preparation

Instructional Coordinator

Instructional Coordinator earn $77,440 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $60,780 and $98,820. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About Instructional Coordinator

Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. May train and coach teachers. Includes educational consultants and specialists, and instructional material directors.


Median Wage
$77,440
Employed Nationally
228K
Openings / Year
21,900
Entry Education
Master's degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation

Also known as:

Career Technical Supervisor Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) Course Developer Courseware Developer Curriculum and Assessment Director

How Much Do Instructional Coordinators Make?

Instructional Coordinator earn $77,440 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,780 and $98,820. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$77,440
National Median (Annual)

Above the national median for college graduates.

$61K–$99K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

What Do Instructional Coordinators Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Instructional Coordinator roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

  • Observe work of teaching staff to evaluate performance and to recommend changes that could strengthen teaching skills.
  • Plan and conduct teacher training programs and conferences dealing with new classroom procedures, instructional materials and equipment, and teaching aids.
  • Interpret and enforce provisions of state education codes and rules and regulations of state education boards.
  • Conduct or participate in workshops, committees, and conferences designed to promote the intellectual, social, and physical welfare of students.
  • Advise teaching and administrative staff in curriculum development, use of materials and equipment, and implementation of state and federal programs and procedures.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Learning Strategies Instructing Speaking Writing Active Listening

Who Thrives Here

S
Social

Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.

E
Enterprising

Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.

C
Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

Where Do Instructional Coordinators Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting
Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands
Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level
Low

Low time pressure. Work pace is typically steady and self-directed.

What Is the Job Outlook for Instructional Coordinators?

The BLS projects +1.3% employment change for Instructional Coordinator through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 21,900 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↗ +1.3%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

Slower than average.

21,900
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

228K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Instructional Coordinator professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $77,440 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 Texas 30,270 $73,600 -5.0%
2 California 18,550 $97,960 +26.5%
3 New York 17,210 $77,330 -0.1%
4 Florida 11,690 $62,650 -19.1%
5 Illinois 8,940 $75,760 -2.2%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most Instructional Coordinator positions require a master's degree to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

Master's degree
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation

Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.


Degree Programs That Lead Here

# Program Graduates/yr 4yr Median Colleges
1 Curriculum & Instruction 20,472 $50,452 495
2 Educational Assessment 8,912 $55,308 385

Top Colleges for Aspiring Instructional Coordinators

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

# College UCD Score Net Price Salary 10yr
1 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 93 $6,541 $71,588
2 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 91 $13,138 $83,648
3 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN 90 $15,846 $91,565
4 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 90 $11,655 $72,200
5 California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA 90 $10,440 $64,403
6 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 90 $10,411 $58,308

Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up Instructional Coordinator, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

Instructional Coordinator Pros & Cons

The data on Instructional Coordinator shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.

PROS
  • Above-average pay At $77,440 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
  • Wide job market 228K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
CONS
  • Slow job growth At +1.3% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.
  • High education requirement Most employers require a master's degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.

Instructional Coordinator Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Instructional Coordinator professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Instructional Coordinator is $77,440, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,780 and $98,820. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Instructional Coordinator a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $77,440 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Research salary outcomes at specific programs, not just the national median, before committing to a graduate path.
How long does it take to become a Instructional Coordinator?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A master's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Curriculum & Instruction are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $77,440 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a master's degree worth it to become a Instructional Coordinator?
It depends heavily on program cost. At $77,440 median, expensive graduate school debt can take 20 or more years to recover. In-state public schools, employer-sponsored programs, or income-driven repayment make the strongest case. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Instructional Coordinator?
The BLS projects +1.3% employment change for Instructional Coordinator through 2034, slower than average compared to all occupations. About 21,900 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 228K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Instructional Coordinator professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Instructional Coordinator roles: Learning Strategies, Instructing, Speaking, Writing, and Active Listening. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.

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