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Education & Childcare career
Instructional Coordinator
Also called: Curriculum Specialist · Instructional Coach · Curriculum Director · Instructional Designer
What instructional coordinators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an instructional coordinator do?
Instructional coordinators develop curriculum, select materials, train teachers, analyze student data and help schools and organizations improve instruction. The median pay is $77,440 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Master’s plus 5+ years of teaching, and employment is projected to grow +1.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$77,440$37.23/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+1.6%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year23,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBLS classification
- Time to trainMaster’s plus 5+ years of teachingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs248,700Employment, 2025
What instructional coordinators do
Instructional coordinators help teachers teach better. They develop curriculum and standards, choose textbooks and technology, coach teachers, lead professional development, analyze student achievement data and evaluate programs. Some work in school districts; others design training for colleges and companies.
Most instructional coordinators have a master’s degree in education or curriculum and years of teaching experience. Some states require an administrator or teaching license.
Typical duties
- Develop and revise curriculum
- Select instructional materials and technology
- Coach and mentor teachers
- Lead professional development
- Analyze student achievement data
- Evaluate programs
- Align instruction to standards
Work environment and schedule
Coordinators work in school district offices and schools, visiting classrooms and leading meetings.
Schedule: Most work full-time year-round, sometimes with summer professional development.
A day in the life
- Review district reading data with the leadership team.
- Observe a teacher’s lesson and take notes.
- Coach the teacher on small-group instruction.
- Plan a professional development workshop.
See a full day in the life of an instructional coordinator →
Instructional Coordinator salary
Half of instructional coordinators earned more than $77,440 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,980 for the lowest 10% to $121,670 for the top 10%.
Full instructional coordinator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an instructional coordinator
- Become a teacher
- Lead in your school
- Earn a master’s degree
- Become a coach or specialist
- Advance
A master’s degree in education, curriculum or a related field plus several years of teaching experience is typical. Some states require licenses.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an instructional coordinator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Curriculum development
- Instructional coaching
- Data analysis
- Professional development design
- Standards alignment
People skills
- Leadership
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Patience
All instructional coordinator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Improve learning for many students
- Leadership without being a principal
- Year-round role
- Variety of projects
Cons
- Requires a master’s and experience
- Implementing change is hard
- Lots of meetings
- Budget constraints
Certifications and licenses
- State administrator or curriculum license: Required in some states.
- Teaching license: Common for district roles.
- Instructional coaching certification: Training in coaching models.
- ATD instructional design certificate: For corporate instructional design roles.
Career path
- Teacher: Build classroom expertise.
- Instructional Coach: Support teachers.
- Instructional Coordinator: Lead curriculum and training.
- Curriculum Director or Chief Academic Officer: Lead district instruction.
Learn the job before day one
Our Instructional Coordinator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as coach a teacher after an observation and design a professional development session, safety and how to land your first job.
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Instructional Coordinator FAQ
Do instructional coordinators need teaching experience?
Usually yes, several years.
Do they need a master’s degree?
Typically yes.
Do they work in companies too?
Yes, as instructional designers and training developers.
How much does an instructional coordinator make?
The median annual wage for instructional coordinators was $77,440 ($37.23 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,980 and the highest 10% earned more than $121,670.
How long does it take to become an instructional coordinator?
Most people need about Master’s plus 5+ years of teaching of training. A master’s degree in education, curriculum or a related field plus several years of teaching experience is typical. Some states require licenses.
Do you need a degree to be an instructional coordinator?
Yes, usually. BLS lists a master’s degree as typical, plus years of experience, often as a teacher.
More instructional coordinator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-9031 (Instructional coordinators).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Instructional coordinators (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.