How to Become a Training and Development Specialist
Design and deliver the programs that help employees learn new skills and organizations perform better. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $69,280 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$69,280/yr
Job growth
7%
Openings / yr
43,900
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Instructional Design
- Facilitation
- Learning Strategies
- Speaking
- Program Evaluation
Helpful certifications
- APTD/CPTD (ATD talent development)
- SHRM-CP
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
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Work-life balance
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Stress level
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Satisfaction
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Related careers
- Human Resources Specialist$75,940 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Training and Development Specialist make?
The median pay for a Training and Development Specialist is $69,280 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Training and Development Specialist?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Human Resources, Education, Communications, Psychology, and Business Administration.
Is Training and Development Specialist a growing field?
The BLS projects much faster than average demand for this role, about 7% over the decade, with roughly 43,900 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Training and Development Specialist use most?
Common skills for this role are Instructional Design, Facilitation, Learning Strategies, Speaking, and Program Evaluation.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.