Curriculum Designer Jobs in the United States

Curriculum Design Jobs Overview

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, each year over the next decade, the job market will bring an average of 20,000 openings for instructional coordinators. In these curriculum design jobs you develop and curate learning programs for students of all ages in schools and other educational settings.

To reach your final goal of creating a comprehensive and effective curriculum, in your job as a curriculum or instructional designer you’ll collaborate with teachers, experts, organizations, and even stakeholders. In a curriculum designer job, your duties might include:

• writing textbooks and other educational materials for students
• reviewing current strategy and auditing existing curricula
• planning teacher training programs
• assessing curriculum standards with teaching staff
• creating computer-based training (CBT) modules and storyboards
• codifying instructional strategies and ensuring vertical alignment across grade levels
• writing scripts for video and audio content
• monitoring and tracking students’ growth and achievement data

How Much Do Curriculum Design Jobs Pay?

The national average salary of curriculum and instructional designers is $58,192 per year. In job locations with high demand such as Atlanta, GA, and New York, NY, it averages over $67,000 per year and can even reach to over $80,000 per year. Quickly find how much curriculum designer jobs pay in your area by using Monster’s Salary Tool for free today.

How to Find the Curriculum Designer Job That Fits You

Your goal should be to find a curriculum design job that aligns with your preferences, qualifications, and career goals. To help you find the best career opportunities for you and make informed decisions, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my personal approach to curriculum design?
• What specific educational settings am I interested in working in?
• Do I prefer a collaborative or a more structured approach?
• Do I have a portfolio showcasing my past work or do I need to look for entry level positions?

Read the Job Description Before Applying

Carefully scrutinize the requirements of each curriculum design job to determine if you have the necessary skills and expertise to excel in the role. Then, ask yourself if the role description resonates with your professional aspirations and if the employer’s values, missions, and educational philosophy align with yours.

Assess Your Qualifications and Career Goals

Finding the right job is a two-way street. While you want to impress potential employers, it’s equally important to ensure that the position aligns with your skills, interests, and career aspirations. Take the time you need to reflect on your strengths, core competencies, preferred areas of expertise, and the future you envision for your career.

How to Apply to Curriculum Design Jobs

Let’s explore two essential components of your job applications: your resume and cover letter, and how to submit them via Monster to any curriculum designer jobs.

Update Your Resume for Curriculum Designer Jobs

Here are some tips to help you create a resume tailored to your profession and industry:

• If you don’t want to build your resume from scratch, download Monster’s curriculum designer resume template and fill it with your professional information. Keep in mind that the ideal length of a resume is one or two pages.
• Add a summary mentioning your years of experience, key skills, and notable achievements. For example: “Results-oriented curriculum designer with 6+ years of experience developing innovative curriculum and coordinating effective teaching strategies. Proven track record in improving student engagement and academic performance.“
• Mention specific projects, initiatives, or programs you have developed or implemented and quantify your achievements where possible. For example: “Led the development of a standards-aligned science curriculum for K-12 resulting in a 20% improvement in student test scores.”
• Use action verbs like developed, implemented, collaborated, and achieved.
• If you need help or a second opinion on your resume, use Monster's Professional Resume Writing Services.

Write a Compelling Cover Letter

Your cover letter can help you better explain what makes you a great fit for the job and emphasize your best curriculum designer skills. You’re also able to communicate your passion for the industry and your enthusiasm about the opportunity to work with that specific employer.

Companies are more inclined to consider applications by candidates who demonstrate the same values and goals. For this reason, you should always give a personal touch to your cover letters by including details that resonate with you about the job and the employer behind it. Read Monster’s assortment of cover letter examples for jobs in education for more tips and inspiration.

Submit Your Application

Follow these steps to apply for curriculum design jobs:

• Create a free account on Monster.
• Opt-in to receive customized alerts about freshly published listings.
• Upload your best resume to attract hiring managers and receive job proposals.
• Use the job search bar to find curriculum design jobs near you.
• Click on “Apply” and follow the procedure to send in your application.

How to Follow Up with an Employer

Take a proactive step to demonstrate your interest and commitment by following up on your applications.

• Time your follow-up well: Wait about one to two weeks after submitting your application before reaching out unless the job posting mentions a specific timeline.
• Decide how to follow up: You can follow up in person, with a phone call, or an email. Remember to be professional, polite, and prepared to articulate your interest and qualifications concisely.
• Find who to follow up with: Check if the job posting indicates the person you should follow up with. If not, reach out to the hiring manager or the HR department of the organization.

Interviewing Tips for Curriculum Design Jobs

Facing an interview doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking experience like some often feel that is. Practice makes everything better, including tackling a job interview. Follow these tips to help you feel more confident, wow your interviewer, and increase your chances of receiving a job offer.

Preparing for Your Job Interview

Practice with Monster’s job interview questions to prepare for the big day. Some examples of what you may be asked include:

• Tell me about your latest accomplishments in developing or enhancing curriculums.
• How do you collaborate and handle conflicts with teachers and other stakeholders in the curriculum design process?
• What is your approach to incorporating technology into curriculum design and instructional delivery?

During Your Interview

Your preparation should also include planning what to do during the interview itself:

• Highlight your experience and accomplishments: When answering questions, provide specific examples from past curriculum design jobs that highlight your expertise.
• Be aware of your body language during the job interview: Practicing in front of a mirror to help you catch improper body language and squash it before the big day.
• Emphasize key skills for the role: Use the interview as a time to demonstrate your ability to work well in a team, communicate your ideas clearly, handle challenges, and other qualities the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate.

After Your Interview

Now you can breathe a sigh of relief. But you have one more interview task to complete:

• Follow up within 48 hours with a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview.
• If the interviewer provided a timeline for their decision-making process, respect it and don’t reach out until the decision date has passed.
• With no timeline provided, wait at least a week from the day of your interview to reach out inquiring about the status of your application. Reiterate your continued interest and mention your enthusiasm for contributing to the team and its mission.

What to Do When You Get a Curriculum Designer Job Offer

When you receive a job offer, acknowledge it in good time so the employer isn’t left thinking you aren’t interested anymore. Thank them for the opportunity and ask any necessary questions before signing the contract. For example, you could seek clarification about specific responsibilities, reporting structure, salary, benefits, and terms and conditions outlined in the employment contract.

Here are some examples of how to respond to a curriculum designer job offer when you’re not ready to accept it right away:

• “Could you please provide more information about the collaboration process with teachers and administrators?”
• “Based on my extensive experience in curriculum design, I would like to discuss the possibility of a higher salary to reflect the expertise I can bring to the organization.”
• “I have reviewed the employment contract and would like to request further clarification on the intellectual property clause and its implications on any curriculum materials I develop independently.”

Curriculum Designer Job Career Path

The ideal candidate for a curriculum designer job in environments like public schools, private schools, and charter schools, must have at least a master’s degree — preferably in Curriculum and Instruction, Education, or related disciplines like Reading Specialist and Mathematics. In other settings, such as working as a curriculum designer for a private company, a bachelor’s degree might suffice.

A background in teaching is also often necessary, as well as possessing certain professional abilities and qualities, like:

• excellent written and oral communication skills
• creativity and critical thinking
• planning and organizational skills
• attention to detail and ability to conduct extensive research
• decision-making and leadership skills

Other common requirements you can find in curriculum designer jobs include proficiency with learning management systems (LMS), and experience with design platforms and course management systems, such as InDesign and Blackboard.

These are common career paths for curriculum designers:

• eLearning developer: Designs and develops interactive online courses and modules.
• Instructional coordinator: Oversees the implementation and evaluation of curriculum across a school or district.
• Training development manager: Oversees the planning, design, and implementation of training programs within an organization.

Curriculum Design Jobs: Similar Career Paths

Check out other education jobs on Monster that could be a good fit for you, like:

• education consultant jobs
• teacher aide jobs
• tutoring
• school