Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Training and development managers focus on guiding how organizations build employee skills and knowledge. With national employment at 46,000 and projected growth of 5.8%, this role offers a defined professional pathway with ongoing demand. The position typically requires a bachelor’s degree, supported by a strong skillset in leadership, project management, communication, and critical thinking. Professionals in this field use creativity and innovation alongside analytical thinking to shape effective learning strategies and programs. Strong interpersonal abilities, comfort with computers and information technology, adaptability, and sound problem solving and decision making are also central to success. Nationally, the median annual salary of $127,090 reflects the level of responsibility and expertise associated with this management role. For students, career changers, and experienced professionals, training and development management can be an appealing option, with opportunities across multiple states and metro areas and several related career paths such as instructional coordinators and training and development specialists.
Training and development managers have a national median annual salary of $127,090, indicating strong earning potential in this management-focused career. Pay varies by location, with several states and metro areas offering substantially higher median salaries. Among states, New York shows a median salary of $171,400 and California $156,260, while Washington and Virginia also report six-figure medians at $163,360 and $137,520, respectively. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with a median salary of $230,020, the highest among the listed areas. Other metros such as New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA all show median salaries above the national figure. These differences highlight how local markets can significantly influence compensation for this role.
Training and development managers show a national projected employment growth rate of 5.8%, with current national employment at 46,000. This projected growth, combined with 4,000 annual openings, indicates a steady volume of opportunities for both new entrants and experienced professionals moving between roles. The annual openings figure reflects a mix of new positions and replacement needs, offering multiple pathways to enter or advance within the occupation. The consistent 5.8% growth rate also appears across several highlighted states and metro areas, suggesting that this outlook is broadly shared in multiple regions rather than concentrated in only one or two locations. For job seekers, this combination of defined employment numbers, a clear growth rate, and measurable annual openings provides a transparent view of the career’s overall demand and potential for long-term employment.
Location plays a significant role in opportunities and compensation for training and development managers. Among states, California and New York stand out, combining relatively high median salaries ($156,260 and $171,400) with sizable employment levels (6,680 and 3,500) and an identical 5.8% growth rate. Colorado, Washington, and Virginia also feature in-demand roles with median salaries ranging from $137,520 to $163,360 and growth at 5.8%, but with smaller employment bases than California and New York. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA shows a particularly strong profile, with a median salary of $230,020, employment of 880, and an opportunity score of 77.42, the highest among the listed metros. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro closely follows with a high opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 3,520. Other metros such as San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA offer strong combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for training and development managers is a bachelor’s degree, providing a foundation for the management, coordination, and strategic aspects of the role. To thrive in this career, individuals benefit from a broad mix of leadership and project management capabilities, since the work often involves planning and guiding complex initiatives. Strong speaking and listening skills, along with solid writing and reading abilities, support clear communication in varied settings. Critical and analytical thinking, paired with problem solving and decision making, helps professionals evaluate options and choose effective approaches. Interpersonal skills are important for working with diverse stakeholders, while adaptability supports success in changing organizational environments. Comfort with computers and information technology underpins many modern training and development activities. Collectively, these skills complement the bachelor’s degree requirement and form a well-rounded profile for entering and progressing in this occupation. Related roles such as instructional coordinators and training and development specialists can also be part of an educational and career pathway.
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