Learning and Development Specialist Salary and Career Guide

Key takeaways

• Learning and development specialist salary data indicate that average earnings can range from $66,412 to $80,000, depending on location, experience level, and additional compensation options [1, 2].

• A senior learning and development specialist salary can range from $74,298 to $103,000 [2, 1].

• Training specialist jobs that require a similar skill set to that of a learning and development specialist include corporate trainer, development coordinator, and workforce development specialist.

To become a learning and development specialist, you’ll need to earn a degree, gain experience in a related role, and pursue certification. Continue reading to 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.

If you're to start working toward a career in learning and development, consider enrolling in the HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate program. You’ll have the opportunity to build skills in developing training materials, regulatory compliance, and talent acquisition.

What is a learning and development specialist?

A learning and development specialist creates, facilitates, and assesses the effectiveness of 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.

Read more: How to Design a Learning and Development Plan for Max Impact

Learning and development specialist salary average

According to the BLS, the median salary for training and development specialists is $69,280 [3]. 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 $66,412 to $80,000 in the United States. It is important to note that some salary aggregators, such as Glassdoor, provide the median total pay, which includes base salary and additional pay, including profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, and other compensation. The specific estimates are current as of September 2026 and break down as follows [3, 2, 4, 1, 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.

How much do learning and development specialists make in the US? 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 with salaries averaging $100,039, while Alaska is the lowest-paying state at $44,131 [4].

Highest-paying states

According to Zippia, the 10 highest-paying states on average for learning and development specialists are [4]:

1. New Jersey: $100,039

2. California: $92,344

3. Washington, DC: $85,685

4. Washington: $83,315

5. North Carolina: $81,025

6. New York: $78,360

7. Pennsylvania: $77,678

8. Virginia: $77,133

9. Maryland: $72,923

10. Nevada: $72,745

Lowest-paying states

According to Zippia, here are the lowest-paying states for a learning and development specialist [4]:

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 [4]:

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 Glassdoor, here are the top four industries with the highest average salaries for learning and development specialists [2].

• Information technology: $97,000

• Aerospace and defense: $95,000

• Legal: $92,000

• Insurance: $87,000

Experience

Another factor to consider is your experience in the field. For example, the average learning and development specialist entry-level salary ranges from $54,568 to $77,000, while a senior-level professional can earn $74,298 to $103,000 [2, 4, 1]. It is important to note that when using salary-aggregation websites, some, such as Glassdoor and Payscale, provide total pay figures that typically include both base salary and additional pay, such as profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, and other forms of compensation.

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 median total pay of a learning and development specialist fluctuates from company to company, according to Glassdoor, include the following [2]:

• X: $170,000

• Meta: $151,000

• Google: $150,000

• Microsoft: $144,000

• MongoDB: $143,000

• Chevron: $143,000

• Amazon Web Services: $128,000

• CenterPoint Energy: $126,000

Job outlook for training and development specialists

According to the BLS, training and development specialist positions should grow by 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average compared to all industries [3]. 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.

Training specialist jobs

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

Median total salary in the US (Glassdoor): $69,000 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2034): 11 percent [3]

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

Median total salary in the US (Glassdoor): $68,000 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2035): 11 percent [3]

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

Median total salary in the US (Glassdoor): $69,000 [8]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2025 to 2035): 11 percent [3]

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.

What is a learning and development manager salary?

As a learning and development manager, you can expect an annual median salary of $130,000, which includes base pay and additional pay such as cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing [9].

How do I become an L&D 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 [10]. Roughly 20 percent hold master’s degrees, while 8 percent hold associate degrees [10]. 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 role, such as a training specialist or a 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 (MOS): Expert certification

• Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

Stay current with salary trends

Get insights into in-demand skills, salary trends, and emerging career field by subscribing to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat. Then, explore free career resources to help optimize your salary and professional growth:

• Get expert insight: How to Use GenAI to Advance Your Career: Insight from Coursera's Former CEO

• Read our Career Chat issue: Practical AI Skills to Increase Productivity—Regardless of Your Job Title

• Watch on YouTube: 12 High-Income Skills to Boost Your Earning Potential

Accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses.

Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus

Start 7-day free trial

• 
• 
• 
• 

Start 7-day free trial