The instructional design skill set translates powerfully into a wide range of emerging roles — and LinkedIn News’s “Jobs on the Rise” report confirms that 2024 is a prime moment to make that move.
What are fast-growing jobs?
Fast-growing jobs are defined by their significant increase in demand within the job market over a specific period (January 1, 2019 to July 31, 2023). These roles not only reflect current industry needs but also predict future trends.
Top Fast-Growing Jobs for Instructional Designers
Instructional Systems Specialist
Focus on crafting and deploying comprehensive educational programs and materials.
As an Instructional Designer you bring:
- Expertise in instructional design methodologies
- Proficiency with educational technology and digital learning tools
- Strong curriculum development and assessment capabilities
- Ability to analyze and apply learning theories effectively
- Experience in project management and cross-functional collaboration
New skills to develop:
- Advanced data analysis for educational outcomes
- Mastery in user experience (UX) design principles for learning
- Leadership skills for educational program oversight
- Financial management for educational project budgets
- Competency in global education standards and compliance
Workforce Development Coordinator
Develop and implement training programs aimed at enhancing employee skills and facilitating career growth.
As an Instructional Designer you bring:
- Understanding of adult learning principles and career development strategies
- Skills in designing and delivering professional development programs
- Experience with LMS and online training platforms
- Capability to assess training needs and measure program outcomes
Skills to Develop:
- Strategic workforce planning and analytics
- Knowledge in labor laws and regulatory compliance
- Skills in talent acquisition and retention strategies
- Proficiency in corporate coaching and mentorship programs
Corporate Communications Manager
Orchestrate an organization’s internal and external communications, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
As an Instructional Designer you bring:
- Ability to distill complex information into clear, engaging communications
- Strong writing and editing skills across various media
- Experience with multimedia content creation and digital storytelling
- Skills in audience analysis and tailored messaging
Skills to Develop:
- Crisis communication and reputation management
- Public relations and media outreach strategies
- Corporate branding and identity management
- Strategic planning and execution of communication campaigns
Chief People Officer
Manage all facets of human resources, from talent management to organizational development and employee engagement.
As an Instructional Designer you bring:
- Deep understanding of learning and development strategies
- Expertise in designing and implementing employee training programs
- Skills in organizational behavior and development
- Strong communication and leadership qualities
Skills to Develop:
- Strategic HR management and planning
- Insights into employment law and compliance
- Advanced talent management and succession planning
- Organizational change management
- Executive leadership and corporate governance
Diversity and Inclusion Specialist
Champion the creation of a diverse and inclusive workplace through DEI policies and programs.
As an Instructional Designer you bring:
- Experience in creating inclusive and accessible content
- Understanding of diversity and inclusion principles
- Skills in designing and facilitating training sessions on DEI topics
- Ability to conduct needs assessments and program evaluations
Skills to Develop:
- Comprehensive understanding of global DEI challenges and solutions
- Strategic planning for long-term DEI initiatives
- Data analytics for tracking DEI progress and impact
- Leadership in fostering a culture of inclusivity
Sustainability Manager
Spearhead an organization’s efforts towards sustainability, focusing on minimizing environmental impact.
Skills to Develop:
- Expertise in sustainable business practices and green technologies
- Strategic planning for sustainability initiatives
- Skills in sustainability reporting and compliance
- Advanced project management for sustainability projects
Strategies for upskilling and broadening your professional reach
These five strategies will help you bridge the gap between your current role and your next career move.
Skill Mapping
Evaluate your existing skills in relation to those demanded by your targeted roles. Pinpoint any skill gaps and identify resources to fill them.
Networking
Connect with industry peers already established in roles you aspire to. Use LinkedIn, join professional associations, and attend industry events.
Continuing Education
Leverage free events and learning opportunities and pursue relevant certifications that can elevate your profile.
Hands-on Experience
Seek direct experience through internal job rotations, shadowing, freelance projects, volunteering, or internships.
Personal Branding
Regularly update your LinkedIn profile, resume, and portfolio to reflect your growing skills and career ambitions.
Key Questions Answered
The most commonly asked questions about this topic, concisely answered.
- According to LinkedIn's Jobs on the Rise data, top growing roles include Instructional Systems Specialist, Workforce Development Coordinator, Corporate Communications Manager, Learning Experience Designer, and EdTech product roles. These roles leverage core ID skills while expanding into strategy, communications, and technology.
- Start by identifying the skills overlap — your experience with adult learning, LMS platforms, and training program design maps directly to workforce development. Build on gaps by learning workforce analytics, labor compliance basics, and talent retention strategy. Tailor your resume to highlight measurable outcomes from past training programs.
- Salaries vary by role and location, but Workforce Development Coordinators typically earn $55,000–$85,000 USD, Instructional Systems Specialists in government roles can reach $80,000–$110,000, and Corporate Communications Managers often range from $70,000–$120,000. Senior and specialized positions command higher compensation.
- Not necessarily. Many hiring managers value demonstrated skills and portfolio work over additional degrees. Targeted upskilling — through certifications, online courses, or project experience — is often sufficient. A Master's in Instructional Design or Organizational Development can help for leadership roles, but is rarely required to make the initial transition.
- Key skills to develop include:
- Learning analytics and data interpretation
- UX design principles for learning platforms
- AI prompt engineering for content creation
- Strategic workforce planning
- Change management and organizational communication
- Instructional Systems Specialists (common in government and defense sectors) typically work on larger, more systematically structured programs and may have broader responsibilities including program oversight, compliance, and budget management. The role requires a stronger grasp of ADDIE and ISD frameworks applied at an enterprise scale.
- Yes — and in many ways AI is expanding demand for skilled learning designers who can direct, evaluate, and humanize AI-generated content. The roles that grow fastest are those combining instructional expertise with strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and data literacy. Pure content production tasks are automating, while design judgment and learning strategy become more valuable.
- Healthcare, technology, financial services, government/defense, and higher education consistently lead in ID hiring. Corporate L&D departments in mid-to-large enterprises are also significant employers. EdTech companies are a fast-growing sector with strong demand for designers who understand both product development and pedagogy.
- Build a portfolio entry or case study that demonstrates work in the target area — for example, a communications campaign you designed, a workforce development plan you contributed to, or a data dashboard you used to evaluate training impact. Connecting your existing work to the language of the new role is more powerful than claiming transferable skills without evidence.
- Yes, especially in technology, corporate L&D, and edtech companies. Workforce Development Coordinator roles tend to be more on-site due to their operational nature, while Instructional Systems Specialist and LXD roles are increasingly hybrid or fully remote. Using platforms like LinkedIn Jobs, FlexJobs, and specialized ID job boards with a remote filter is the most effective search strategy.
- In job postings, the titles overlap significantly. Instructional Designer roles tend to emphasize content structuring, ADDIE process compliance, and authoring tool proficiency. Learning Experience Designer roles typically lean toward UX thinking, design research, and holistic learner engagement. In practice, the actual responsibilities depend more on the organization than the title — always read the full job description.
- AI is reshaping the field rather than shrinking it. Pure content production tasks are automating, but demand is growing for professionals who can evaluate AI-generated learning content, design adaptive learning systems, conduct strategic needs analysis, and make nuanced design judgments that AI cannot replicate. The roles growing fastest combine instructional expertise with strategic thinking and data literacy.
