How much does a training and development specialist make?
The median training and development specialist in the United States earns $69,280 per year, about $33.31 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all training and development specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-1151.
Training and development specialist salary range
Pay for training and development specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,760 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $123,250. The average (mean) wage of $75,550 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,760 | $18.64 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,110 | $24.09 | |
| Median (50th) | $69,280 | $33.31 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $95,050 | $45.70 | |
| 90th percentile | $123,250 | $59.26 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for training and development specialists (SOC 13-1151), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Training and development specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Training and development specialists earn the most in Delaware at $88,570 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $52,290. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $88,570 | 1,590 |
| New Hampshire | $86,050 | N/A |
| Alaska | $81,860 | 530 |
| Washington | $81,860 | 8,130 |
| District of Columbia | $80,980 | 1,900 |
| Massachusetts | $80,270 | 12,190 |
| Connecticut | $78,080 | 3,650 |
| Vermont | $77,800 | 750 |
| Virginia | $77,690 | 15,570 |
| New Jersey | $77,020 | 9,210 |
| Minnesota | $76,710 | 9,650 |
| Maryland | $76,370 | 9,800 |
| Oregon | $76,360 | 5,190 |
| New York | $76,080 | 27,460 |
| Rhode Island | $75,910 | 1,130 |
| California | $75,790 | 46,530 |
| Colorado | $75,790 | 12,100 |
| Florida | $71,990 | 34,130 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,350 | 14,780 |
| Wisconsin | $70,770 | 9,360 |
| Wyoming | $69,380 | 550 |
| Illinois | $67,380 | 15,140 |
| Georgia | $67,320 | 16,200 |
| Arizona | $67,140 | N/A |
| Iowa | $66,110 | 4,670 |
| Nebraska | $65,700 | 3,650 |
| Maine | $65,680 | 1,600 |
| North Carolina | $65,250 | 20,220 |
| West Virginia | $64,960 | 1,710 |
| Ohio | $64,780 | 17,690 |
| Alabama | $64,490 | 3,000 |
| Michigan | $64,350 | 10,640 |
| North Dakota | $63,260 | 670 |
| South Carolina | $63,070 | 6,960 |
| New Mexico | $62,900 | 2,190 |
| Montana | $62,880 | 900 |
| Texas | $62,860 | 46,630 |
| Tennessee | $62,280 | 9,370 |
| Kansas | $62,010 | 5,150 |
| Idaho | $61,720 | 2,430 |
| South Dakota | $61,570 | 520 |
| Kentucky | $61,390 | 6,090 |
| Nevada | $61,350 | 3,440 |
| Indiana | $61,050 | 8,450 |
| Oklahoma | $61,040 | 5,440 |
| Hawaii | $60,960 | 1,200 |
| Utah | $60,900 | 6,140 |
| Missouri | $58,670 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $58,070 | 3,030 |
| Mississippi | $53,680 | 2,820 |
| Arkansas | $52,290 | 3,880 |
State median wages for training and development specialists (SOC 13-1151), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for training and development specialists
The BLS projects employment of training and development specialists to grow 10.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 472,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 523,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 46,000 openings a year for training and development specialists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a training and development specialist
The typical entry-level education for training and development specialists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a training and development specialist earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Delaware, $88,570) and the lowest (Arkansas, $52,290) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 458,300 people work as training and development specialists in the United States. At $69,280 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Training and development specialist salary FAQ
How much does a training and development specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a training and development specialist is $33.31. The middle half of training and development specialists earn between $24.09 and $45.70 per hour.
What is the highest training and development specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of training and development specialists earn more than $123,250 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a training and development specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for a training and development specialist is $69,280. The average (mean) wage of $75,550 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a training and development specialist a well paid job?
At $69,280 a year, a training and development specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 458,300 people work as training and development specialists in the United States.
Which state pays training and development specialists the most?
Delaware has the highest median salary for training and development specialists at $88,570 a year. New Hampshire ($86,050) and Alaska ($81,860) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a training and development specialist a good career?
Employment of training and development specialists is projected to grow 10.8% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 46,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a training and development specialist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for training and development specialists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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