Formal Training Plan Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry‑level Instructional Designers earn $50,000–$70,000 annually, mid‑level designers $70,000–$100,000, senior specialists $100,000–$140,000, and Lead or Manager roles $120,000–$170,000. Remote positions often command a 5–10% premium due to broader talent pools.

Key skills include ADDIE, SAM, Bloom's taxonomy, SCORM/xAPI authoring, LMS administration (Cornerstone, Docebo, SAP SuccessFactors), data analysis, and competency mapping. Certifications such as ATD Master Instructional Designer, Certified Instructional Designer/Developer (CIDD), eLearning Guild credentials, SAP Learning Hub, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Learning elevate candidacy.

Yes—most instructional design, eLearning development, and learning analytics jobs allow full remote work. Companies often require occasional on‑site collaboration for user testing or LMS configuration, but remote work is the default for 70–80% of openings.

Typical trajectory: Junior Instructional Designer → Instructional Designer → Senior Instructional Designer → Lead Instructional Designer → Learning Experience Lead → Learning & Development Manager → Director of Learning. Each step adds responsibility for strategy, team leadership, and broader learning ecosystem design.

Current trends include microlearning, AI‑driven adaptive learning, gamification, competency‑based learning, learning experience platforms (LXPs), and learning analytics dashboards. Staying current on these trends and mastering authoring tools like Articulate Storyline 360 and Adobe Captivate 2024 keeps candidates competitive.