Learning and Development Specialist Salary and Career Guide

As a learning and development specialist, you will help train employees for organizations, which includes assessing needs, designing materials, implementing training sessions, and determining the effectiveness of these programs.  With relatively strong earning power and the potential for rewarding work helping individuals and businesses meet their objectives, this could be a fulfilling career for those with the right skills and credentials. Additionally, the field is on the rise. It is projected to grow at a faster-than-average rate compared to other careers over the next decade, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Discover what you can expect from this role, details about the average learning and development specialist salary range and factors that may affect your earnings. 

What is a learning and development specialist?

A learning and development specialist creates, facilitates, and assesses organizational training programs. This may include designing and creating training materials or evaluating the quality of existing materials. In other situations, you might research and choose materials instead of creating your own. As a learning and development specialist, you will also handle the administrative responsibilities of training programs, such as scheduling sessions and setting up equipment. 

Learning and development specialist salary average

According to the BLS the median salary for training and development specialists is $64,340 [1]. When comparing that figure to data from other career and salary aggregators, you’ll see that the average learning and development specialist salary ranges from approximately $62,284 to nearly $90,147 in the United States. The specific estimates are current as of October 2024 and break down as follows [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]:

It’s important to remember that the exact amount you can expect to earn in this career will vary depending on various factors, such as where you live and your level of experience. 

Factors that affect salary

Determining how much you can earn as a learning and development specialist will require you to take a closer look at factors such as your geographic location, your level of education, how long you’ve worked in the field, and even which company you work for. 

Explore how these criteria impact learning and development specialist salaries below. 

Location

The average salary for a learning and development specialist varies depending on where you plan to work and live. For example, New Jersey is the highest-paying state on average at $100,039, while Alaska is the lowest-paying state at $44,131 [3]. 

Highest-paying states 

According to Zippia, the 10 highest-paying states on average for learning and development specialists are [3]: 

1. New Jersey: $100,039

2. California: $92,344

3. Washington: $83,315

4. North Carolina: $81,025

5. New York: $78,360

6. Pennsylvania: $77,678

7. Virginia: $77,133

8. Maryland: $72,923

9. Nevada: $72,745

10. Rhode Island: $71,916

Lowest-paying states

According to Zippia, here are the lowest-paying states for a learning and development specialist [3]:

1. Alaska: $44,131

2. West Virginia: $47,957

3. Kentucky: $52,051

4. Vermont: $52,168

5. Hawaii: $53,006

6. Idaho: $53,406

7. Oklahoma: $53,977

8. Arkansas: $54,293

9. Nebraska: $54,774

10. Wisconsin: $54,774

Highest-paying cities

Even within states, you’ll find that the average salaries can fluctuate by city. According to Zippia, the highest-paying cities for learning and development specialists are [3]:

1. San Francisco, California: $98,067

2. Washington, DC: $85,815 

3. Seattle, Washington: $83,716

4. Raleigh, North Carolina: $82,270

5. New York, New York: $79,020

6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: $78,091

7. Richmond, Virginia: $77,063

8. Baltimore, Maryland: $72,944

9. Houston, Texas: $72,505

10. Atlanta, Georgia: $67,668

Industry 

Learning and development specialists work in several industries. According to Zippia, here are the top four industries with the highest average salaries for learning and development specialists [3].

• Finance: $77,736

• Technology: $74,896

• Manufacturing: $62,214

• Health care: $57,050

Experience

Another factor to consider is your experience in the field. For example, the average learning and development specialist entry-level salary ranges from $41,747 to $74,952, while a senior-level professional can earn $68,179 to $103,117 [2, 3, 4]. Below, you will find more details about how Glassdoor, Zippia, and Payscale break down these figures:

Highest-paying companies for training and development specialists

The company you work for can also impact how much money you can expect to earn. A few examples of how the estimated average base pay of a learning and development specialist fluctuates from company to company, according to Glassdoor, include the following [2]:

• Asurion: $62,000

• Amazon: $72,000

• Microsoft: $97,000

• Centene: $71,000

• Uber: $87,360

• JPMorganChase: $98,000

• Deloitte: $89,000

• Google: $109,000

Job outlook for training and development specialists

According to BLS, training and development specialist positions should grow by 12 percent from 2023 to 2032, much faster than average compared to all industries [1]. One of the reasons that training and development specialist jobs are growing is that many employees are required to take ongoing education to keep their credentials or certifications, fueling the need for professionals to lead these training sessions. New technology and media also contribute to the need for more professionals in this field. 

Related careers 

If you have the skill set to become a learning and development specialist, you may also qualify for similar professional titles, such as corporate trainer, development coordinator, or workforce development specialist. 

Corporate trainer

Average annual salary in the US (Glassdoor): $52,554 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 12 percent [1]

Education requirements: Corporate trainers typically need at least a bachelor's degree, though some employers prefer you to have a master's degree.

As a corporate trainer, your primary responsibility will be to teach new skills to the workforce. This may include training new employees, scheduling company-wide training programs, and developing training programs to monitor employee performance. 

Development coordinator

Average annual salary in the US (Glassdoor): $57,040 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 12 percent [1]

Education requirements: A development coordinator usually needs a bachelor's degree in business, psychology, or communication. 

As a development coordinator, you will work with nonprofits and other organizations to create fundraising plans, organize events, and create brand awareness. You may also write grant proposals, seek new donors, and do what it takes to help your employer reach its fundraising goals.    

Workforce development specialist 

Average annual salary in the US (Glassdoor): $53,595 [8]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 12 percent [1]

Education requirements: A workforce development specialist typically needs a bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field. 

As a workforce development specialist, you will design and facilitate training sessions, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of current training materials and procedures. You may oversee a staff of training instructors. In this role, you may also assist with onboarding and training new hires. 

How to become a learning and development specialist 

The first step to becoming a learning and development specialist is to complete your formal education. A bachelor’s degree is typically the requirement to begin in the field, with 67 percent of learning and development specialists holding one [9]. Roughly 20 percent hold master’s degrees, while 8 percent hold associate degrees [9]. Common areas of study include business, psychology, communication, and human resource management. 

In addition to your education, it typically takes about two years of experience in a related field, such as training specialist or training manager. You may also consider earning a specialization or certification to further your skills and demonstrate your capabilities to potential employers. Some of the credentials you might consider include: 

• Microsoft Office Specialist Master Certification (MOS)

• Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

Learn more with Coursera 

Learning and development specialists are responsible for designing and implementing an organization's training and development programs. Your salary can be impacted by factors like where you live, the company you work for, and your experience. 

If you’re ready to take the next step and begin a career in human resources, consider earning your HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate on Coursera. This five-course series takes about five months of studying six hours a week, and it can help you learn skills in employee relations, training development, recruitment, performance management, and more.