$81.35k - $97.75k
Able to Obtain: None Public Trust/Other Required: NACI (T1) Job Family: Program Instruction Support Job Qualifications: Skills: ADDIE Instructional Design, Curriculum Development, Educational Technology, Workforce Develo…
Education · Washington, DC
Instructional Designer jobs in Washington, DC
Instructional designers turn subject-matter expertise into courses and training programs, applying learning science to design materials, assessments, and e-learning experiences.
129
Open roles today
$33–$66/hr
Typical pay range
$98k
Median, full-time
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Fresh in this list
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Open instructional designer roles
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Teamwork, Integrity in conduct Responsiveness to our customer's mission Job Description DMS is seeking an Instructional Systems Designer to join our learning services team. The candidate must have 3-5 years of experience…
$133k - $212k
drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter. Your Impact Great design doesn't just support the Axon brand. It moves people to believe in it. As Senior Mark…
Position Overview Essnova Solutions is seeking an Instructional Systems Designer to support FEMA’s National Training and Education Division and Training Partners Program. The selected candidate will evaluate training mat…
$68k - $85k
team of engineering professionals dedicated to excellence at Coffman Engineers’ Seattle location. We are seeking a Structural Designer to join our team in applying engineering skills to a variety of diverse and challengi…
$74k - $79k
Life at PE: Perkins Eastman is a global architectural design practice with expertise in all aspects of the built environment, working at all scales, and at every level of detail. With studios in 26 locations worldwide, w…
NBBJ is an award-winning design firm recognized as a TIME100 Most Influential Company, a Fast Company Most Innovative Architecture Firm and a two-time 2025 AIA National Honor Award recipient. These recognitions reflect o…
SME Collaboration: Work with Subject Matter Experts to identify target audience training needs and define instructional goals. Technology Integration: Design computer-based training (CBT) modules and utilize eLearning so…
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What instructional designers earn in Washington
Hourly first — that's how the offer arrives
| Experience | Hourly | Annual, full-time |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level | $33–$42 | $69k–$88k |
| Mid level | $41–$53 | $85k–$110k |
| Senior | $51–$66 | $106k–$138k |
Adjusted for the Washington market from national ranges.
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What employers ask for
The skills these listings keep naming
Learning objectives and assessmentCurriculum design (ADDIE, SAM)E-learning authoring (Storyline, Rise)LMS administrationSME collaborationVisual and UX sensibilityWriting and editingProject managementLearning analytics
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Interview questions worth rehearsing
With the thing the interviewer is actually listening for
Walk me through your design process for a new course, start to finish.
Ground it in a real project: needs analysis, objectives, design decisions, build, and evaluation. Name your model but do not hide behind it.
How do you work with a subject-matter expert who wants to include everything?
Show diplomacy plus method: return to the objectives, ask what learners must do afterward, and move nice-to-know content to references.
How do you measure whether your training actually worked?
Go beyond completion rates: assessment performance, behavior change, or business metrics. A Kirkpatrick-style example with real numbers is strong.
What authoring tools do you use, and can you show samples?
Name your stack, such as Storyline, Rise, Camtasia, or Figma, and have a portfolio ready. Expect to explain design choices in one sample.
Tell me about a project where the timeline or scope collapsed. What did you do?
Show prioritization: protecting the core learning outcome, cutting polish before substance, and communicating tradeoffs early.
How do you design for accessibility?
Mention concrete practices: captions, alt text, color contrast, keyboard navigation, and WCAG or Section 508 familiarity. Specifics beat intentions.
How are you thinking about AI tools in your design workflow?
Show pragmatism: where AI speeds drafting or asset creation, and where human judgment on accuracy and pedagogy stays essential.
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Resume tips that move the needle
For instructional designers specifically — generic advice costs you here
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Link to a portfolio with two or three course samples and briefly note your role and the measured result for each.
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Name your tool stack explicitly: Articulate Storyline, Rise, Captivate, Camtasia, and the LMS platforms you have administered.
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Quantify scale and outcomes: courses shipped, learners served, completion or assessment gains, or reduced training time.
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Show your process literacy by naming models (ADDIE, SAM, backward design) in context of real projects, not as buzzwords.
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Include relevant credentials such as an instructional design masters, ATD certification, or CPTD where you have them.
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Where this role goes
Typical progression
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Instructional Design Assistant
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Instructional Designer
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Senior Instructional Designer
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Learning Experience Manager
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Director of Learning & Development
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